Straight Scoop On WOFT

[ArmamentDawg]

I'm an Apache Longbow crewchief who, unfortunately, was detailed to recruiting about a year ago. I'd rather be playing with $35,000,000 birds, but since I have no chioce but to recruit right now, perhaps I can be of some assistance to my fellow helo pilots (I'm working through my IFR rating right now).

 

If you want to be an Army pilot, go see your local recruiter (Army not National Guard there is a huge difference). Your chances are probably better than you think. The first thing you need to do is take the ASVAB and AFAST. If you don't score a 110 GT and 50 AFQT on the ASVAB and at least a 90 on the AFAST, you're not qualified. Unless you are already considering enlisting in a non aviation job, don't let your recruiter talk you into one. The test score requirements to be a groundcrew guy are pretty much the same as the requirements to be a pilot. If you fail the test, and he says he can get you into enlisted aviation, he's probably full of BS. See it in writing first. Ask him to see the job on FSR2. It's an online means of reserving job training. If he can't show you your name with the job you want next to it, he doesn't have it.

 

If you pass the tests, you need to get a class 1A flight physical. 20/20 is not required, but it must be 20/20 correctable and no worse than something like 20/40 uncorrected.

 

You will also need to qualify for a secret security clearance. Any DUI's, drug charges or felonies will disqualify you. Juvenile charges will show on an FBI background check, but minor things like shoplifting or minor consumption of alcohol will not disqualify you.

 

Finally, once all the paperwork is together, you will sit before a board of officers. If you make it this far, and represent yourself like a responsible adult, they will pass you. They will all be members of the recruiting battalion that you apply to, and probably need the contract to meet special mission requirements.

 

I started the woft application process as an enlisted guy, but gave it up after passing the tests and physical. I had worked through my PPL to pad my resume (enlisted woft applicants compete against eachother for open training slots). Through that experience I found the civilian approach to be much more attainable than I had previously thought, and after 5 years of Active Duty, I'm ready to move on to greener pastures next year when I get out. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Army Aviation. Mine was a personal choice. My experince with the Army may have been soured by being "selected" (read: "forced") into recruiting.

 

Anyone with any questions can PM me. I'd be glad to go further into detail. If you live in the Twin-Cities Mn, I can work you through the process personally.

 

Hope this helps.

[FlyNHighNFast]

What is the maximum age for a waiver?

[Voluptuary5]

What is the maximum age for a waiver?

 

Fly,

 

Don’t know if you are civilian or not but the civilian maximum is 33. If you are enlisted, age waivers above 33 are allowed but it states somewhere that the acceptance rate is less than 2%.

 

From www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/prerequ/WO153A.html:

 

“Be at least 18, but not have reached their 33rd birthday at the convening of the selection board. Waivers will be considered for applicants with exceptional qualifications and only on a case by case basis".

 

From http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/ (civilian WOFT applicants in pull down menu)

 

Civilian route: “You must be at least 18 and not have reached your 33rd birthday at the time of selection. Age waivers above the age of 33 are NOT Authorized.”

 

Enlisted route: “After completion of Basic Combat Training and Advance Individual Training you will be assigned to your first duty station. Six to eight months after you arrive in your unit you can begin your application for the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program. You must be selected prior to turning 33. Age waivers above the age of 33 have an approval rate of less then 2%.

 

Hope that helps,

 

-V5

[Tarantula]

Does LASIK count as corrected or uncorrected vision?

[KMWK]

Does LASIK count as corrected or uncorrected vision?

 

Yes, but I think you have to wait 3 months after sugery to do your physical. We just had one of our 15R's send his packet in after LASIK. And, just so you know, you don't go before the board. And ALL WOFT candidates compete against each other. They will decide without ever seeing you. Get it now while it's easy. Back in the day we were WOC's for a year and had to put up with all the crap till we graduated. Anyone considering it these days has it made after WOCS.

 

My best advice is don't sign a damn thing until you have in writing exactly what you want. Our 15R's are screwed because nobody wants the job due to the fact that the Army in all it's wisdom decided in the mid 90's that crew chiefs can't fly with PIC's. We flew our crew chiefs in Cobras all the time. Long time ago, I know I'm old, hush.................

 

My 2 cents (been there)

[KMWK]

One more thing (sorry Dawg).............never believe anything that a recruiter tells you until you talk to someone that's been there!

 

[Tarantula]

You didn't say what sort of vision it was considered.

[Voluptuary5]

You didn't say what sort of vision it was considered.

 

Tarantula,

 

As long as you see 20/20 (or better) in both eyes and in all ranges (they will check you left, right, up, and down) it is considered good. That being said, Rucker will want to see all of the medical info regarding your Lasik. In that sense it is a waiver. But as long as you are seeing 20/20 or better it is a technicality on that front.

 

-V5

[Voluptuary5]

You didn't say what sort of vision it was considered.

 

Forgot to mention to go here...

 

www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/

 

...for everything Warrant Officer/Army Aviator

 

You'll find everything you ever wanted to know here--you'll just have to surf around a bit.

 

-V5

[ArmamentDawg]

And, just so you know, you don't go before the board. And ALL WOFT candidates compete against each other. They will decide without ever seeing you.

 

Negative Sir. Civilians who apply for WOFT sit before a board of comissioned officers, and are approved by the Recruiting Battalion who processes them. I am absolutely certain of this as I am a recruiter, and my stationed has processed several WOFT applicants.

[KMWK]

Negative Sir. Civilians who apply for WOFT sit before a board of comissioned officers, and are approved by the Recruiting Battalion who processes them. I am absolutely certain of this as I am a recruiter, and my stationed has processed several WOFT applicants.

 

You're right, sorry about that. Has that changed in the last several years? The WO recruiter friend that I talked to today didn't know, but he straightend me out on the difference. Said he was going to look into it and see if it has always been that way. My experience came from being an E-5 and doing my packet from an aviation unit in Germany. We won't talk about how long ago that was.

 

I appreciate you helping guys get good info on this Dawg. Keep it up and good luck in the civilian world. Hey, we have several 15R slots in the Guard here in NC. Want one?

 

[Apache]

Just curious....

 

How big a factor does your credit rating come in to play when applying to woft? I have been tossing around the idea of appying for a while now, but this is a big issue for me. My credit is total shite from the last few years of trying to get my business up and running. I've heard that it can be a disqualifier for the security clearance.

 

And FWIW, I've talked to my local recruiter, but he's not really interested in helping me out w/ a woft packet. He barely even answers my questions. His only interest is to give me an M16 and toss my butt in a humvee.

 

Thanks!!

[ErOk_OnE]

I'm an Apache Longbow crewchief who, unfortunately, was detailed to recruiting about a year ago. I'd rather be playing with $35,000,000 birds, but since I have no chioce but to recruit right now, perhaps I can be of some assistance to my fellow helo pilots (I'm working through my IFR rating right now).

 

If you want to be an Army pilot, go see your local recruiter (Army not National Guard there is a huge difference). Your chances are probably better than you think. The first thing you need to do is take the ASVAB and AFAST. If you don't score a 110 GT and 50 AFQT on the ASVAB and at least a 90 on the AFAST, you're not qualified. Unless you are already considering enlisting in a non aviation job, don't let your recruiter talk you into one. The test score requirements to be a groundcrew guy are pretty much the same as the requirements to be a pilot. If you fail the test, and he says he can get you into enlisted aviation, he's probably full of BS. See it in writing first. Ask him to see the job on FSR2. It's an online means of reserving job training. If he can't show you your name with the job you want next to it, he doesn't have it.

 

If you pass the tests, you need to get a class 1A flight physical. 20/20 is not required, but it must be 20/20 correctable and no worse than something like 20/40 uncorrected.

 

You will also need to qualify for a secret security clearance. Any DUI's, drug charges or felonies will disqualify you. Juvenile charges will show on an FBI background check, but minor things like shoplifting or minor consumption of alcohol will not disqualify you.

 

Finally, once all the paperwork is together, you will sit before a board of officers. If you make it this far, and represent yourself like a responsible adult, they will pass you. They will all be members of the recruiting battalion that you apply to, and probably need the contract to meet special mission requirements.

 

I started the woft application process as an enlisted guy, but gave it up after passing the tests and physical. I had worked through my PPL to pad my resume (enlisted woft applicants compete against eachother for open training slots). Through that experience I found the civilian approach to be much more attainable than I had previously thought, and after 5 years of Active Duty, I'm ready to move on to greener pastures next year when I get out. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Army Aviation. Mine was a personal choice. My experience with the Army may have been soured by being "selected" (read: "forced") into recruiting.

 

Anyone with any questions can PM me. I'd be glad to go further into detail. If you live in the Twin-Cities Mn, I can work you through the process personally.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Hello sir...wow thanks for the info. I've gotten my packet together with a recruiter here in japan...and I fly out to okinawa for the board in september. I had questions about the board...but you eased my mind when you mentioned that i just need to present myself as an adult and I'll do fine.

 

I was an airforce reservist and my base was in minnesota (small world). But now I'm a dependent living in japan so I'm coming in as a civilian. I'm excited and hopeful in becoming an army aviator. Any advice you can offer other that what you've mentioned is more than welcomed.