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I am currently beginning my senior year in high school and have started to talk with an army recruiter. My dream is to be a pilot but the recruiters keep trying to talk me into enlist and later be a pilot. But I think I have a decent shot at getting in. I am going to leave some info about me in the comments. Leave your thoughts and suggestions please
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
If you want to fly then apply to be a pilot. If you want to enlist instead go for it. But you need to understand that recruiters are in the sales business. Their job is to talk people into enlisting. If you want to be a pilot then follow your goal but don't think that buying apples because you want oranges will be the best way to go about things.
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My little brother successfully applied for this program earlier this year (he graduates BCT next week and then heads to WOCS after that). It's a highly selective process but you ABSOLUTELY can get in straight out of high school. That said, a lot will depend on your ASVAB Scores and SIFT Score. Additionally you're going to want to be able to demonstrate you're in excellent physical shape and if you don't already have a flight background, you're going to need a well written mission statement and some excellent letters of recommendation. I helped my brother navigate this process and it took 8 recruiters from 5 different offices before we found one who actually cooperated in assembling and submitting the packet rather than trying to pressure him into an enlistment instead. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about the process and depending on where in the country you're located can direct you to a solid recruiter who will help you submit a packet. Shoot me a PM!
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CW3 Chuck Eastman
All excellent points. Everything is possible, but the better the bargain, the harder you're going to have to work for it!
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Gavin Morris I respect your dream of being a pilot. I had that dream when I was in High School. At the time (1965), the best way for me to achieve that dream was to join the Air Force and go to pilot training. That required a bachelors degree, so I went to college and graduated in 1969. I took ROTC in College, earned my commission as a 2d Lt and secured a pilot training slot. I graduated form Air Force pilot training in 1970. Had a great 22-year Air Force career.
The Army does have a High School to flight school program. Look for it on the Army web page. Also, the requirements to be a flight warrant officer are spelled out on the Army web page. MSG (Join to see) provided a link. The Navy and Air Force have similar requirements to be a pilot. In general you'll have to pass a flight physical and score high on the entrance test. Air Force requires a bachelors degree to become an officer and pilot. The Navy may also.
DO NOT ENLIST right away. Recruiters may push you in this direction, because they are trying to meet their recruiting goals. There is no guarantee of any kind that you will be allowed to apply for Army Flight Warrant Officer training after you enlist. If your chain of command does not support your application, then you won't get anywhere with it. Also, if you are injured during training or operations it might disqualify you for flight training. If you do choose to enlist, determine that you will serve only the time required to complete your contract and secure VA benefits. While on active duty take full advantage of tuition assistance programs and work on your bachelors degree. After you ETS, complete your degree using VA benefits. Then talk to recruiters from Army, Air Force, and Navy about flight school as an officer.
The Army does have a High School to flight school program. Look for it on the Army web page. Also, the requirements to be a flight warrant officer are spelled out on the Army web page. MSG (Join to see) provided a link. The Navy and Air Force have similar requirements to be a pilot. In general you'll have to pass a flight physical and score high on the entrance test. Air Force requires a bachelors degree to become an officer and pilot. The Navy may also.
DO NOT ENLIST right away. Recruiters may push you in this direction, because they are trying to meet their recruiting goals. There is no guarantee of any kind that you will be allowed to apply for Army Flight Warrant Officer training after you enlist. If your chain of command does not support your application, then you won't get anywhere with it. Also, if you are injured during training or operations it might disqualify you for flight training. If you do choose to enlist, determine that you will serve only the time required to complete your contract and secure VA benefits. While on active duty take full advantage of tuition assistance programs and work on your bachelors degree. After you ETS, complete your degree using VA benefits. Then talk to recruiters from Army, Air Force, and Navy about flight school as an officer.
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