For 15W, what should I expect? What are your experiences, and do you have any tips or tricks of the trade?

2018-03-20T21:42:22-04:00

I wold like to know more about 15w mos I think it wold be fun and interesting for me so I reserved the job but I can’t find a lot of information just you know the everyday life after basic training and stuff like that and tips for ait

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 9:46 PM

2018-03-20T21:46:48-04:00

I would also like to know a little more about fort sill

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 10:58 PM

2018-03-20T22:58:24-04:00

So I am not going to give you generic answers like Google it. The internet is a great tool but we learn best from each other and interaction.
I have known a couple soldiers that have really enjoyed the UAV world. Plus the extra opportunities to work contract work once they separated. This is a potentially growing field in the civilian sector too.
On the flip side, one of the guys I knew that did UAVs wished he would have done "real aviation".

Tips for basic and ait...
Listen more than you talk.
Model those you respect, you will become respectable.
Do not be afraid to fail, because when are you will never give 100%.
Be a self starter. There are regs for everything. There are numerous NCOs willing to train good soldiers.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 12:08 AM

2018-03-21T00:08:20-04:00

Look up the shadow and the gray eagle. When you get to ait, you'll be assigned one or the other. Shadow operators will be in the field more, while the gray eagle operators will stay at a hangar. It's a nice gig and you get to deploy regularly.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 8:00 AM

2018-03-23T08:00:09-04:00

I am about to graduate from AIT as a 15W
Tips I can give you is to study by yourself but it’s better as a group but also when you can go for a run the altitude here is almost 5000 ft up

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 7:18 AM

2018-03-26T07:18:23-04:00

The job is just like any other in that it requires a LOT of self study in the TM'S to become proficient. But luckily it's pretty easy to pick up especially if you have good IO's.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 7:20 PM

2018-03-27T19:20:01-04:00

Study Study Study. They have a computer available with the TM's. You can download on your computer. Ask if they can give you a disk of the updated TM's. You should be flying the V2's. They give you all the material so check out the RSTI booklets of unclassified and classified. They use to have a simulator in the IET barracks. I don't know if its still there. Trust me when I say I was recycled twice. But I made it. System Limitations everyday before flights or sims. I know its shorter for the course. There is a lot more to it once you have passed the courses. Good Luck

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2018 7:44 PM

2018-04-21T19:44:25-04:00

I'm currently in 15w in Arizona Great instructors who mastered there craft. It does involve alot of studying test every 3 to 4 days. Your Cadre will choose your platform after your first core curriculum either Grey Eagle or Shadow great platforms. You will earn you pilots license in order for you fly in the sky. you can continue gain more experience and eventually fly privately. It is fast paced teaching but from what I was told here it from the Cadre it is very rewarding. You can volunteer Airborne if your not experienced and also Ranger. MOS T's change to this Mos because you use this in civilian side. But let me tell you this MOS is very interesting I enjoy this alot and hopefully I can teach later on the future

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 6:38 PM

2018-05-30T18:38:12-04:00

AIT fuckin sucks being real with you I’ve been in it for 11 months. Just study everything they give you it’s not that hard but people fail simple things

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 3:19 PM

2018-07-16T15:19:45-04:00

Looking at reclassing to 15w...was curious if family is allowed to come

Response by Bryce Jones made Jul 7 at 2019 9:24 PM

2019-07-07T21:24:18-04:00

I want to be a 15w and I was wondering how hard is it to get to be a MQ-1C drone operator? Also is it possible to select what battalion you get assigned to?

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2020 8:59 PM

2020-05-10T20:59:48-04:00

i just want to say thanks to everyone who responded to me I am now a SPC and currently a 15W