Aviation in the NG

Frankie

5-Year Member
Joined
May 23, 2012
Messages
167
Hello, I have been thinking about the possibility of being an aviator in the NG. All I'm really looking for with this thread is how drilling is conducted for aviators? Is it still just one weekend a month or because of the huge investment made from the Guards side is the drilling commitment longer than one weekend (I have heard that it is one week or 5 days long instead of one weekend). Is the pay increased for aviators?

Also I'm not sure if this question can be answered here but would being an aviator in the guard make it exceptionally difficult to attend medical school?

Thank you!
 
Which branch?

Do you have a private pilots license (PPL)? Do you have a college degree right now? Have you taken the TBAS(AF)?

Scout and Jcleppe can tell you the Army path.

If you are looking AF than I suggest you go to www.baseops.net. from what I know for AF you will be sent to UPT for a full year+, if you don't have a ppl than you will go to IFS and UPT. That means maybe 15 months. Than you will have to go the school house for the airframe that the unit flies. That could mean 6 more months.
Again, look at that link.

I might be wrong, probably will be, but I believe the unit must hire you first.
 
You'll have to refer to Scoutpilot for this one. I have a son in Active Duty Aviation and what I know is limited to what he tells me, you would be much better off with first hand information.
 
Two paths to become aviator in the Army NG - warrant officer or commissioned officer.

for the warrant officer path, you enlisted, after a few years, apply to become a warrant officer, if accepted, than warrant officer basic course, than flight school

for the commission officer path, either enlist than apply for NG Officer Candidate School, hope you get Aviation as your branch, or ROTC than hope that you get picked up by a Army NG aviation unit.

As for flying, NG aviators get additional training period beyond drill to maintain their flight proficiency.

I believe NG aviator qualify for flight pay, just like active duty aviator.
 
On the AF Guard and Reserve side, you get hired by a unit, go to UPT, schoolhouse, etc, then go back to your unit. Some Guard and Reserve members are full-time, but most are part time (if I've got my numbers right). That said, aviation tends to require more than 2 days a month to keep currency or proficiency.
 
On the AF Guard and Reserve side, you get hired by a unit, go to UPT, schoolhouse, etc, then go back to your unit. Some Guard and Reserve members are full-time, but most are part time (if I've got my numbers right). That said, aviation tends to require more than 2 days a month to keep currency or proficiency.

On average, about 15 to 20% of a state Army Guard are full timers. Air Guard varies based on the type of air frames they but usually higher than the Army Guard. For the Army Guard, full time pilots get tons of flying time.
 
Thank you all for your input and answers. To clarify everything, I am talking about the Army National Guard.

I'll start by saying that I am a contracted cadet. In the state of Vermont, there are no 2nd LT's or SMP Cadets assigned to the aviation brigade and they have slots open. A Captain in this brigade came to talk to cadets in my school and said how they needed cadets and once you qualify and pass their tests (like the SIFT), you may begin drilling with the unit and upon commissioning receive Aviation and be a pilot for the VTNG. I am asking on this forum instead of the Captain directly because it is a little difficult to get in direct contact with him and he is a very busy individual. It's also good to ask more than one person.

Is the flight pay for the NG significantly different than their AD counterparts?

Thank you!
 
Two paths to become aviator in the Army NG - warrant officer or commissioned officer.

for the warrant officer path, you enlisted, after a few years, apply to become a warrant officer, if accepted, than warrant officer basic course, than flight school

for the commission officer path, either enlist than apply for NG Officer Candidate School, hope you get Aviation as your branch, or ROTC than hope that you get picked up by a Army NG aviation unit.

As for flying, NG aviators get additional training period beyond drill to maintain their flight proficiency.

I believe NG aviator qualify for flight pay, just like active duty aviator.

Just out of curiosity, has the army gotten rid of the High School to Flight School program? I remember seeing a lot of stuff about it when I was in HS, though it's been a few years, but it looked like a pretty nice option.
 
Just out of curiosity, has the army gotten rid of the High School to Flight School program? I remember seeing a lot of stuff about it when I was in HS, though it's been a few years, but it looked like a pretty nice option.

I am pertty sure no such thing exists now.
 
Just out of curiosity, has the army gotten rid of the High School to Flight School program? I remember seeing a lot of stuff about it when I was in HS, though it's been a few years, but it looked like a pretty nice option.

I am pertty sure no such thing exists now.

While they used to call it "High School to Flight School", it seems they now refer to it as "Street to Seat". I don't think they are taking many, if any, kids right out of High School these days. There are however Civilian applicants that are still selected for WOFT, these applicants do not enlist first, they submit their application as a civilian, if selected they attend BCT, WOCS, and then start Flight School.
 
Thank you all for your input and answers. To clarify everything, I am talking about the Army National Guard.

I'll start by saying that I am a contracted cadet. In the state of Vermont, there are no 2nd LT's or SMP Cadets assigned to the aviation brigade and they have slots open. A Captain in this brigade came to talk to cadets in my school and said how they needed cadets and once you qualify and pass their tests (like the SIFT), you may begin drilling with the unit and upon commissioning receive Aviation and be a pilot for the VTNG. I am asking on this forum instead of the Captain directly because it is a little difficult to get in direct contact with him and he is a very busy individual. It's also good to ask more than one person.

Is the flight pay for the NG significantly different than their AD counterparts?

Thank you!

This sounds exactly the process two cadets that were in my son's class took. They are both now Aviation with the same Guard unit.

Best of luck to you.
 
Two paths to become aviator in the Army NG - warrant officer or commissioned officer.

for the warrant officer path, you enlisted, after a few years, apply to become a warrant officer, if accepted, than warrant officer basic course, than flight school

for the commission officer path, either enlist than apply for NG Officer Candidate School, hope you get Aviation as your branch, or ROTC than hope that you get picked up by a Army NG aviation unit.

As for flying, NG aviators get additional training period beyond drill to maintain their flight proficiency.

I believe NG aviator qualify for flight pay, just like active duty aviator.

Just out of curiosity, has the army gotten rid of the High School to Flight School program? I remember seeing a lot of stuff about it when I was in HS, though it's been a few years, but it looked like a pretty nice option.

It still exists. The program is actually called WOFT - Warrant Officer Flight Training. I'd have to get in touch with my friends in accessions to find out how many slots they have now, as the drawdown in Aviation has resulted in an excess of warrant officers.
 
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