Pilot

BenjaminZ

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
64
Hello all,

I really want to work in aviation as a pilot. I have been accepted to Norwich, and am heavily considering going there. My problem is, I want to be a pilot, and I know these spots are very hard to get.

I originally wanted to go Army, and I still do, but I am unsure of the difficulty in going from ROTC to a pilot would be.

What would be the best route to travel? I am not sure whether I would want to fly airplanes or helicopters. Either the Army or the USMC are my thoughts, but I haven't given much thought to the USAF.

Input? Thanks everyone.
 
First of all, like many others will point out on these forums, don't enter a branch just to fly. Aim for the stars, but be willing to accept a different option. That being said, if you are weighing Army and Marines and still can't decide between fixed wing or helicopters, the Marines will have both (as will the Navy).
 
The Army has very few fixed wing aircraft, but a TON of rotary wing. The Navy and USMC are a bit more evenly split. The vast majority of Air Force aircraft are fixed wing. Also, realize the Army has Warrant Officers as their "career aviator" types. Most of the officers only do a couple tours as line pilots. The Air Force uses commissioned officers only, and they do more flying than Army officers but not as much as Warrants (generally speaking).

As has been said above, don't pick a service only for its flying slots!
 
Hello all,

I really want to work in aviation as a pilot. I have been accepted to Norwich, and am heavily considering going there. My problem is, I want to be a pilot, and I know these spots are very hard to get.

I originally wanted to go Army, and I still do, but I am unsure of the difficulty in going from ROTC to a pilot would be.

What would be the best route to travel? I am not sure whether I would want to fly airplanes or helicopters. Either the Army or the USMC are my thoughts, but I haven't given much thought to the USAF.

Input? Thanks everyone.

Where would you like to be if you COULDN"T fly. Think of it like that.
 
I'm stuck because I know if I don't get an army flight spot, I will still be able to do armor, infantry, or military police (I have backups that I know of). But getting into army aviation is very hard as a 2LT!

The USMC on the other hand, correct me if I'm wrong, if you qualify and commission you are given a chance to test for flight school. The odds of me flying in the USMC are higher, but if I don't get in, I have no clue in terms of backup careers options for the marines.
 
I'm stuck because I know if I don't get an army flight spot, I will still be able to do armor, infantry, or military police (I have backups that I know of). But getting into army aviation is very hard as a 2LT!

The USMC on the other hand, correct me if I'm wrong, if you qualify and commission you are given a chance to test for flight school. The odds of me flying in the USMC are higher, but if I don't get in, I have no clue in terms of backup careers options for the marines.

IIRC, the PLC program for the Marines has the aviation track and the ground track. You'll get minimal assistance for tuition through PLC (which may be an issue for some people), but it is the only commissioning program that I know of for the Marines that offers "guarantees".
 
IIRC, the PLC program for the Marines has the aviation track and the ground track. You'll get minimal assistance for tuition through PLC (which may be an issue for some people), but it is the only commissioning program that I know of for the Marines that offers "guarantees".

Money is not an issue, and I will commissioning.
 
About 29% of NROTC grads get aviation slots. No guarantee but the odds are good if you do well in college and NROTC and score high on the ASTB.
 
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I'm stuck because I know if I don't get an army flight spot, I will still be able to do armor, infantry, or military police (I have backups that I know of). But getting into army aviation is very hard as a 2LT!

The USMC on the other hand, correct me if I'm wrong, if you qualify and commission you are given a chance to test for flight school. The odds of me flying in the USMC are higher, but if I don't get in, I have no clue in terms of backup careers options for the marines.

One thing to consider regarding AROTC, while Aviation is a hard branch to get, the other branches you listed as your back up are not easy either. Infantry is second after Aviation though you can sometimes get Infantry as a detail attached to a different branch, Military Police and Armor are not far behind.

You sound like a very confident young man, that's great, but what some have already said, do not join a branch of the service with just a single branch goal in mind. There is a higher chance that you will not get an Aviation Branch then there is getting one.

You made the comment that "Money is not an issue and you will commission", again the conficence is great but remember there is a lot that can happen in 4 years. There are more ways then can be listed here that someone can lose the opportunity to commission. When you enter college do your best, have the goals you have but always keep other options open in your own mind, things happen, even to the most dedicated and confident.

The best way to join any service is by understanding that the foremost goal is to serve your country, that means within any branch you get. Work your hardest so you have more options but always keep the big picture in mind.

Since you mentioned the Army you are correct, there are 16 branches within the Army, there are a lot of different opportunities in case you do not get Aviation, just make sure your ok with that before you start.
 
Since you mentioned the Army you are correct, there are 16 branches within the Army, there are a lot of different opportunities in case you do not get Aviation, just make sure your ok with that before you start.

There are 16 branches available for commissioning. There are more than 16 branches, some of which open up down the road.
 
There are 16 branches available for commissioning. There are more than 16 branches, some of which open up down the road.

Very true, but those are the first 16 they will see when they commission, is that correct or are there others.
 
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