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My uncle flew for 40 years and said it was the best decision he ever made. He and I have always had conversations about it, so now I'm just looking for a more up to date outlook on it. So I have a couple questions:
1.) Are you obligated to an Active Duty contract initially, or can you go straight into a Reserve or National Guard unit? I keep reading that there is a service obligation of 6-8 years, but it seems like its not very clear about how much can be Active Duty and/or Reserve/Guard.
2.) Which would be more advantageous in the long run: 15A and be a commissioned officer or 153A and be a warrant officer? Seems as though as a warrant officer you would actually end up flying more than if you were commissioned, but as far as career progression it seems commissioning is better.
3.) What really makes a good competitive packet when you go before a board? Obviously a 300 PT score, the highest GT score and SIFT possible and a boat load of LOR's are ideal. But shy of that, what would make you a good candidate? And on the flip side, is there anything that would disqualify you, other than obvious legal issues? (i.e PT failures, etc.)
I appreciate any advice and constructive feedback
1.) Are you obligated to an Active Duty contract initially, or can you go straight into a Reserve or National Guard unit? I keep reading that there is a service obligation of 6-8 years, but it seems like its not very clear about how much can be Active Duty and/or Reserve/Guard.
2.) Which would be more advantageous in the long run: 15A and be a commissioned officer or 153A and be a warrant officer? Seems as though as a warrant officer you would actually end up flying more than if you were commissioned, but as far as career progression it seems commissioning is better.
3.) What really makes a good competitive packet when you go before a board? Obviously a 300 PT score, the highest GT score and SIFT possible and a boat load of LOR's are ideal. But shy of that, what would make you a good candidate? And on the flip side, is there anything that would disqualify you, other than obvious legal issues? (i.e PT failures, etc.)
I appreciate any advice and constructive feedback
Posted in these groups: 
153A: Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific)
15A: Aviation Officer
ReservesFlorida ARNG
153A: Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific) 15A: Aviation Officer ReservesFlorida ARNG
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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Great questions!
1. If you are in active duty at the time you fill out the DA61 form you will stay in the active duty even though you are applying to the Reserves. For you to be a WO or Commissioned Officer in the National Guard or Reserves you’ll have to apply through them.
2. It depends on you. I’m a WO who just want to be an expert at flying. As an Commissioned Officer you have to fly, be a PL, do Staff time, CPT career course, be a commander, etc. I don’t want all that responsibility and stress. As far as promotion rate, there’s 80% plus promotion rate to CW3 and CW4.
3. Have you heard the “total concept Soldier”? I mean, no one really knows what they are looking for. However, are you going the Soldier of the month board? BDE board? Etc. Are you the 9-5 type of guy or are you committed to mission success? What are you doing to set yourself above others? Did you go to BLC yet? Were you in the Commandant’s List? You may not be a fan of boards but it speaks volume of your character, desication, and willingness to reach higher levels of success. If you were a Corporal, I’d suggest the Audie Murphy Board. You could have all of the above and still not be selected, but I would make sure that my packet is as strong as it could be. You don’t have control on somebody else’s packet but yours. Don’t think about anyone else’s packet, just worry about yours and make it as strong as possible. Your packet must be a balanced packet if you don’t have one thing or the other. For example, you have a 250 PT score but a 60 score on your SIFT. You want to balance it as much as you can. Aim as high as you can always.
Wish you the best of lucks should you decide to be a WO or Commissioned Officer.
1. If you are in active duty at the time you fill out the DA61 form you will stay in the active duty even though you are applying to the Reserves. For you to be a WO or Commissioned Officer in the National Guard or Reserves you’ll have to apply through them.
2. It depends on you. I’m a WO who just want to be an expert at flying. As an Commissioned Officer you have to fly, be a PL, do Staff time, CPT career course, be a commander, etc. I don’t want all that responsibility and stress. As far as promotion rate, there’s 80% plus promotion rate to CW3 and CW4.
3. Have you heard the “total concept Soldier”? I mean, no one really knows what they are looking for. However, are you going the Soldier of the month board? BDE board? Etc. Are you the 9-5 type of guy or are you committed to mission success? What are you doing to set yourself above others? Did you go to BLC yet? Were you in the Commandant’s List? You may not be a fan of boards but it speaks volume of your character, desication, and willingness to reach higher levels of success. If you were a Corporal, I’d suggest the Audie Murphy Board. You could have all of the above and still not be selected, but I would make sure that my packet is as strong as it could be. You don’t have control on somebody else’s packet but yours. Don’t think about anyone else’s packet, just worry about yours and make it as strong as possible. Your packet must be a balanced packet if you don’t have one thing or the other. For example, you have a 250 PT score but a 60 score on your SIFT. You want to balance it as much as you can. Aim as high as you can always.
Wish you the best of lucks should you decide to be a WO or Commissioned Officer.
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Hell yes sir, thank you. That's really good advice. To expand on your first response, I have another two years of active duty on my contract, with a year and a half already under my belt. If I really was insistent upon doing this in the Reserves or Guard, would I sign on to another contract in either and then apply, or could I apply before I ETS from active duty into either of the services? I only ask because in all honesty, I'm not really down with another 6-8 years of being on active duty. I know everyone's perception is different, especially if you did switch from the enlisted side to being an officer/warrant officer. However I am looking to settle down with my fiance and we both agree that the volatility with being Active is a lot on a family.
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I understand. The military could be very hard on the family. Just know that no matter where you go work at there’s always someone or something that will stress you out. Anyways, as far as applying as an aviation officer in the Reserves or National Guard I have very little information. But I would assume you would have to finish your active duty contract first. But you might be to apply and be accepted before you are completely out of the Army. I would talk to the National Guard unit you are trying to be in. Find them on FB, talk to a recruiter, or anyone in that unit. Keep in mind that Reserves unit and NG units also deploy. You might find that volatility there as well. What I’m trying to say is that whatever it is that you may not like about the Active Army. You may find it in the Reserves or NG unit. Be sure this is the move you guys want to move.
I understand. The military could be very hard on the family. Just know that no matter where you go work at there’s always someone or something that will stress you out. Anyways, as far as applying as an aviation officer in the Reserves or National Guard I have very little information. But I would assume you would have to finish your active duty contract first. But you might be to apply and be accepted before you are completely out of the Army. I would talk to the National Guard unit you are trying to be in. Find them on FB, talk to a recruiter, or anyone in that unit. Keep in mind that Reserves unit and NG units also deploy. You might find that volatility there as well. What I’m trying to say is that whatever it is that you may not like about the Active Army. You may find it in the Reserves or NG unit. Be sure this is the move you guys want to move.
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Question 1: yes there is an obligation, if you are active duty, you fill out a DA61, application for active duty but it’s not a given that you get it.
Question 2: if spoken to 15A’s that wished to fly more and vice versa, it’s really about what you want to do but commissioning means you will have to hold command at some point
3: nobody really knows but those are looked at well and sometimes ignored.
Don’t question your decision and start your packet.
Question 2: if spoken to 15A’s that wished to fly more and vice versa, it’s really about what you want to do but commissioning means you will have to hold command at some point
3: nobody really knows but those are looked at well and sometimes ignored.
Don’t question your decision and start your packet.
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Excellent Questions SPC Daniel Carroll!
I don’t know the requirements or contract commitments for today’s Army.
I went straight RA, contract for OCS & AIRBORNE...however; however injury in Basic precluded me from going OCS & Airborne. Stated Enlisted & then requested Medical discharge after almost completion of original contract. Different Army in 83-87!
Hope you receive appropriate answers... WO would be my choice...
I don’t know the requirements or contract commitments for today’s Army.
I went straight RA, contract for OCS & AIRBORNE...however; however injury in Basic precluded me from going OCS & Airborne. Stated Enlisted & then requested Medical discharge after almost completion of original contract. Different Army in 83-87!
Hope you receive appropriate answers... WO would be my choice...
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