Civilian WOFT Packet Question

Aviator_Bakeek

Aviator_Bakeek

Well-Known Member
I have spent the last 5 years as a professional fixed wing aviator. I feel that I have been having a calling to fly in the military, serve my country, and accomplish/be part of something greater. I would love to go AF, but I am just barely too old, turning 29 in December.

I have started the process with an active duty recruiter. He has not completed a WOFT packet in the past, so I am having to make sure everything is correct the first time. Currently, I am gathering my letters of recommendation. I have not been able to find any civilian related recommendations and hoping that someone here has completed a civilian packet that could make sure my recommenders complete the recommendation appropriately.

Thank you!
 
I am sure there are a lot of Army helicopter pilots on this forum who can help. That was once a dream of mine. A website www.kiowapilots.net has a lot of detailed information on package process. Perhaps it will help. Good luck.
 
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I'm a Guard guy, but feel free to contact me with any flight school/WOCS questions.

I can't really help with active duty paperwork questions, as it's completely different than what I did.

Best of luck.
 
Aviator_Bakeek said:
I have spent the last 5 years as a professional fixed wing aviator. I feel that I have been having a calling to fly in the military, serve my country, and accomplish/be part of something greater. I would love to go AF, but I am just barely too old, turning 29 in December.

I have started the process with an active duty recruiter. He has not completed a WOFT packet in the past, so I am having to make sure everything is correct the first time. Currently, I am gathering my letters of recommendation. I have not been able to find any civilian related recommendations and hoping that someone here has completed a civilian packet that could make sure my recommenders complete the recommendation appropriately.

Thank you!
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You may not be too old for the AF. IIRC, you would need to be in Phase 2 of UPT by your 30th birthday. OTS is now 9 weeks long and I think you'd be exempt from IFS now. I would apply for both - find a competent AF officer recruiter and you can get your stuff in quick prior to the next board.

Either way, good luck!
 
ryan1234 said:
You may not be too old for the AF. IIRC, you would need to be in Phase 2 of UPT by your 30th birthday. OTS is now 9 weeks long and I think you'd be exempt from IFS now. I would apply for both - find a competent AF officer recruiter and you can get your stuff in quick prior to the next board.

Either way, good luck!
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Thanks! I know I would have to wait until October. I was prior AF and force shaped with a medical and they wont let me back in with my RE code...I have my case in front of the AFMRB and told October is the latest I should hear something. The Army gave me a waiver in a day.
 
Go Army.

You're not alone in departing the Air Force. Good luck to you! I am in the process for a DCO Navy career change from Air Force enlisted.
 
Didn't the Air Force just raise their enlistment age to 39? Or does this not apply to officer positions?
 
Current conventional Army Aviator kicking myself for not pushing harder for the Air Force.

Don't get me wrong I love what I do, it's just that I barely get to do it. Not that the grass is necessarily greener on the other side, just that I'd spend less days doing crap like Brigade runs or cleaning tents in the motor pool because as a warrant your the largest available body of worker bees and respect of your position as an officer is non existent at times. AF guys I work who also bitch about getting treated like a child but they get paid nearly twice what I do when you count incentive bonuses and anything after the first 5 years where your BaH is higher than an O1/2s.
 
Aviator_Bakeek said:
.........I have started the process with an active duty recruiter. He has not completed a WOFT packet in the past, so I am having to make sure everything is correct the first time. Currently, I am gathering my letters of recommendation. I have not been able to find any civilian related recommendations and hoping that someone here has completed a civilian packet that could make sure my recommenders complete the recommendation appropriately.

Thank you!
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Not sure who you're dealing with so take this as advice only: make sure your recruiter is qualified to sign in OFFICERS. Your average store-front Armed Services Recruiters are not allowed to recruit officers. Ask your recruiter; if not authorized to process officers, move on. If so, feel confident in their performance. Don't feel bad if you go on to someone else that has experience with the WOFT packet. In MOST cases, you only have one shot in the submission of the packet. If it's jacked up, they will toss your packet in the large pile on the floor. You want yours' to stay on the table!
 
Don't join the Air Force unless you go Guard/reserve. I thought being a WO was the best gig in the Army? Air Force gets paid more but I'm sure there working twice as many hours.
 
scoobs said:
Don't join the Air Force unless you go Guard/reserve. I thought being a WO was the best gig in the Army? Air Force gets paid more but I'm sure there working twice as many hours.
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It is the best gig in the Army. That being said, it doesn't say much for the quality of life in the Army.
If you think you're going to be a "subject matter expert," think again.
An Army Major once told me us warrants are "cheap labor."
I thought it was a nice summary of how the Army views the warrant officer corps.
 
zVo said:
It is the best gig in the Army. That being said, it doesn't say much for the quality of life in the Army.
If you think you're going to be a "subject matter expert," think again.
An Army Major once told me us warrants are "cheap labor."
I thought it was a nice summary of how the Army views the warrant officer corps.
Click to expand...

I'm an Army Major and I say that all the time. Not in a derogatory way though... More of a "you guys are getting the shaft" kind of way. Your Air Force, Marine, Navy, and CG brothers (with minor exceptions) are doing your job for more money. While they are getting paid RLO salaries, you guys should too. However, they all should be warrants too if you ask me.
 
scoobs said:
Don't join the Air Force unless you go Guard/reserve. I thought being a WO was the best gig in the Army? Air Force gets paid more but I'm sure there working twice as many hours.
Click to expand...

Being a peter pilot is pretty easy no matter the service.
 
But the WOs job is to fly, not the case of the other branches. Go on baseops and I'm sure they would take less money to fly more.
 
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