Posted on Dec 7, 2020
Looking to become a pilot for the army national guard but the state I’m looking at is backed up. Are there some other options?
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I’m looking to become a pilot in the West Virginia national guard once my reserve contract ends, problem is they are backed up for about 2 years with pilots right now. Can I fly for another state or the Reserves even if I have to travel up to 4-6 hours to get there? Is it worth it and will they even accept a packet from someone so far away?
Posted in these groups: 
Warrant Officers
153A: Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific)
153D: UH-60 Pilot
Warrant Officers 153A: Rotary Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific) 153D: UH-60 Pilot
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 5
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You can join the National Guard in any state, residency is not a requirement. The Army Reserve is nationwide, of course, so no restrictions. If you haven't done it already, I would take the SIFT and get a Flight Physical to see if you meet the qualifications.
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WO1 Jacob Wellman
Thank you for the response sir. I’ve already completed the sift and will have my flight physical done soon. My concern is the distance I’d have to travel to fly being that it’s multiple time a month outside of drill. I know the pilots in my last unit mostly lived near by. I’m willing to travel I just want to see if anyone here is doing g that and if it’s working out for them
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CPT Lawrence Cable
WO1 Jacob Wellman I commanded a unit that was a bit over a three hour drive from my house. It required a couple additional trips each month. Since was what I wanted to do, it was just part of the price. How bad do you want to Fly?
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I would try other States or Army Reserve but many USAR units had a policy within the past 10 years that if you were not within 150 miles (approximately), they would not send you to flight school and accept you into the unit. They would only accept you if you were already pilot trained. Their rationale was they had experienced too many pilots that got tired of the commute after awhile and stopped coming to drill after awhile.
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If flying is your overall goal I would look into going back Active. The main issue with the amount of pilots we have right now is that majority WANT to be in a reserve/NG status. Active Component desperately needs pilots. Yes, it would suck to have to go back Active and be forced to go where the Army requires you, but if you really want to be a pilot, then the reward is greater. I have known a prior Reservist that went Active Pilot because she also could not get in to the NG here for piloting. She was assigned as a Apache pilot, and since then (2017) she hasn't looked back and enjoys her career. Something to consider.
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