Army WOFT out of high school?

A

ahmed

Well-Known Member
Hi

I always thought that to be an Officer in the Army one needed a college degree but I just stumbled upon the Warrant Officer Corps. After some more digging I learned that a select few are chosen for "high school to flight school".

I have a 3.5 GPA unweighted. I played football (not varsity) but it affected my grades so I'm not continuing with it. I do community service by tutoring kids after school and I hope to get a leadership position in a HS club. What can I do now to make myself more competitive? Would getting a job make me seem more mature?

Thanks
 
There are a handful of "highschool to flight school guys" in every class most have prior service. Doing well on the apptitude tests along with being in good shape and a decent GPA will probably make one pretty competitive.

Good luck if this is what you want to do. There are a couple of Army WOs here if you have any other questions.
 
ahmed said:
Hi

I always thought that to be an Officer in the Army one needed a college degree but I just stumbled upon the Warrant Officer Corps. After some more digging I learned that a select few are chosen for "high school to flight school".

I have a 3.5 GPA unweighted. I played football (not varsity) but it affected my grades so I'm not continuing with it. I do community service by tutoring kids after school and I hope to get a leadership position in a HS club. What can I do now to make myself more competitive? Would getting a job make me seem more mature?

Thanks
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1. I would stay with sports. Given a choice between someone with a 3.5 who played sports and someone with a 4.0 who did not I'll take the person who played sports. As Wellington said, the Battle of Waterloo was won on the fields of Eaton. Most great military leaders played sports of some sort. You learn as much about leading, following, winning, and dealing with adversity from sports as you do academics. These qualities are invaluable in the military.
2. Look into the National Guard/Reserves now, while you are in school. The National Guard has something called the split training program, where you can go to basic training between your junior and senior summer, then you would go to advanced training the following summer. Going through basic would give you a leg up on your application and might give you an "in" with a National Guard aviation unit. If you are accepted to an active duty program you are normally released from the Guard/Reserves.
3. Try to take some flight training. It does not have to be in helicopters (expensive). Heck, see if there is glider training near your location.
4. Go to http://www.aptap.org.
There are some Army warrant officers there who are familiar with the current application process and can give you more specifics.
Good luck.
 
Blackhawk said:
3. Try to take some flight training. It does not have to be in helicopters (expensive). Heck, see if there is glider training near your location.
4. Go to http://www.aptap.org.
There are some Army warrant officers there who are familiar with the current application process and can give you more specifics.
Good luck.
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Concur wholeheartedly here. I've recommended at least ten high school students from the aviation magnate school here to apply for warrant officer flight training was well. It's an excellent opportunity for kids not able to attend college right after high school.
 
MFT1Air said:
I've recommended at least ten high school students from the aviation magnate school here to apply for warrant officer flight training was well.
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Another good point. Recommendations can be key. Getting a recommendation from a CSM (command sergeant major), CW4/5, colonel or general can go a long way (either active or retired).
 
Don't give up sports. You have the rest of your life to fly, only now to play high school sports.
 
Blackhawk said:
Another good point. Recommendations can be key. Getting a recommendation from a CSM (command sergeant major), CW4/5, colonel or general can go a long way (either active or retired).
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Well, I'm a retired SGM, and I've actually done that for many of those students.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. How do I go about getting in touch with Officers and NCO's? I know I should do my own work but if someone could just give me a general direction then I'd really appreciate it.
 
ahmed said:
Thanks for the advice everyone. How do I go about getting in touch with Officers and NCO's? I know I should do my own work but if someone could just give me a general direction then I'd really appreciate it.
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A good way to do it is to contact your local reserve unit and talk to some Officers and ask for a recommendation after the convocation. It will be their buddies that are on your WOFT board. I did it for my OCS board and it worked out well for me.
 
For the OP,
Doesnt cost nothing to apply. I would go for it if given the chance. Some 18 yr olds are mature enough and can demonstrate it to a selection board.
 
ahmed said:
Hi

I always thought that to be an Officer in the Army one needed a college degree but I just stumbled upon the Warrant Officer Corps. After some more digging I learned that a select few are chosen for "high school to flight school".

I have a 3.5 GPA unweighted. I played football (not varsity) but it affected my grades so I'm not continuing with it. I do community service by tutoring kids after school and I hope to get a leadership position in a HS club. What can I do now to make myself more competitive? Would getting a job make me seem more mature?

Thanks
Click to expand...


Look up the Army Warrant Officer Recruiting branch. Skip that "GoArmy.com" crap and get on USAREC- that's the Recruiting Command.

http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/index.htm

That's a direct link to Warrant Recruiting.

First off, I'll tell you this- be in GOOD physical shape. Best as you can be. Second, start studying for the Alternate Flight Aptitude Skills Test (AFAST). Third, see if you can find an Army aviation unit (Nat'l Guard or Reserves will do just as well) and see if you can chat up some of the Warrant Officers. They're usually more than happy to help.

DO NOT A) Believe things Enlisted Recruiters will tell you. They don't get credit for signing up an Officer candidate, and will try to talk you into Enlisting, etc.
B) Assume you're noncompetitive from the outside. It's wartime,
and the Army needs pilots.

Got a clean criminal record, etc? You should be good to go.

Start with this. If you have more questions, I'm familiar with the application process. Feel free to PM me.

Good luck.
 
Firebird2XC said:
start studying for the Alternate Flight Aptitude Skills Test (AFAST).
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Are you aware of any study material specifically targeting the AFAST?
Firebird2XC said:
DO NOT A) Believe things Enlisted Recruiters will tell you. They don't get credit for signing up an Officer candidate, and will try to talk you into Enlisting, etc.
Click to expand...
Are you sure about that? I'm not saying you are wrong, it just seems odd that the Army would not put incentives on recruiting any well qualified people
 
Can anyone offer insight on the WOFT program over say a Marine OCS air contract for those who have a college degree?
 
PeterPilot said:
Are you aware of any study material specifically targeting the AFAST?
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This is what I used (the 1998 version), and this is what my cadets used as well.

Military Flight Aptitude Tests, 6/e (Arco Military Test Tutor)


Are you sure about that? I'm not saying you are wrong, it just seems odd that the Army would not put incentives on recruiting any well qualified people.
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Local recruiters used to refer qualified officer candidates to my ROTC battalion regularly, and in return, we'd refer cadets to them who weren't quite officer material.
 
N826AW said:
Can anyone offer insight on the WOFT program over say a Marine OCS air contract for those who have a college degree?
Click to expand...
This first one is with the Army, the second one is with the Marines?
Really, what kind of differences? Different services, so different attitudes and equipment. Neither is right nor wrong, they are just different. One may be better for you, the other better for me. What kind of specifics are you looking for?
 
PeterPilot said:
Are you aware of any study material specifically targeting the AFAST?Are you sure about that? I'm not saying you are wrong, it just seems odd that the Army would not put incentives on recruiting any well qualified people
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Sure, check out Amazon.com or your local library.

... and yes, I'm positive about this. Enlisted troops are the biggest numbers and highest turnover rate. The enlisted recruiters want enlisted members coming in. Take anything they tell you with a grain of salt.
 
My buddy did this right out of high school. You'll probably get the run around from recruiters, but dont let that stop you. You sound like you are off to a good start. Look into the Army guard unit that is closest to where you live for starters.
 
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