Aviation or Bust

[diebs]

With aviation being so competitive, even with ADSO (which I plan on submitting), has anyone received a mediocre OML score and as a result decided to find an NG/AR AV unit as to not risk getting forced branch something other than aviation? If so, how did it work out for you? Do you regret not taking the risk of trying to get AD AV? What OML score would you have deemed acceptable to take the risk?
As an MSIII who's very passionate about AV but unfortunately only has a 3.2 gpa, I plan on achieving a high enough OML to get the AD component but recently I feel like AV is almost more important than AD for me personally.

 

[Jcleppe]

Aviation is competitive, but not for all the same reasons you may think. A lot of cadets are weeded out of the process because they either fail the SIFT or their Flight Physical. this lowers the number of cadets in the AV pool. Add to this the fact that AV has a 6 year service obligation which makes some cadets think twice. That being said even cadets that are not at the top of the OML and have average to just above average OML standing receive AV every year, the ADSO will help some but realize many use the ADSO since in reality it only adds one year to the overall obligation.

If you have a high APFT and battalion ranking, and do well at Advanced Camp you will help your OML and give yourself a better chance.

A couple things to consider in your desire for AV:
What is the main reason you want AV?
What do you think an AV officer does?
Is actual flying the thing that interests you the most?

Army AV is quite different then AV in other branches, Warrants are the bulk of Army AV. Army AV commissioned officers take on a larger leadership role much earlier then other branches. AV is not unlike the other Army branches such as Infantry where you are a platoon leader for a couple years and then move on to staff. Make sure you have a good understanding of what Army AV officers do and what their responsibilties are so you can make an informed decision.

All of this is from the AD side, the NG can be a little different but the systems are very similar. A NG AV officer may find that they spend more time then your average NG member at drill and other obligations so make sure your research NG AV as well so you know what you would be getting into.