questions about becoming a flight warrant officer

thelastpatriot1

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Feb 6, 2013
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o I have done some extensive research into becoming an flight warrant officer. I know all of the requirements and what it takes but I do have one great concern and it has to deal with what path I should take.

Right now I am in ROTC and my kernel told me that the best way to become a warrant is to complete the program and then serve my four years as any type of officer. He then told me after my four years apply and become a warrant flight officer since it would look much better on my record and that it would take roughly the same amount of years to be elgible for it anyway. (so essentially from the start of me being a e-3 to getting e-5 and then being elgible for flight warrant officer would be around 8 years, is this true?)

However I was thinking would I still have a strong chance of becoming one if I got my degree in computer science along with the following accomplishments:
1.) Eagle scout
2.) at least a 3.0 college gpa
3.) community service
4.) 300 on pt score (not my score right now but thats where I should be when I graduate)
5) 90 on asvab
6.) perfect health for flying
7.) good recommendations from my superiors(hopefully that would be achieved)

also would it really take at least 8 years to go through the whole process to be able to fly or would it be less because I heard of guys achieving the rank of sergeant in 2.5-4 years and isn't that the rank where your eligible for warrant officer school?
 
kernel as in corn? Just a suggestion, but I doubt you will score any positive points if you cannot spell Colonel correctly, even if you have only been in ROTC for a month. Wasn't rank one of your 1st tests?

I am just curious, are you considering dropping out of AROTC? The reason why is a WO is not the equivalent as an Officer. If you commission as an officer you can't go back to become a WO, and why would anyone? (it is a pay cut).

As a commissioned officer, 4 yrs from now, I doubt the community service and Eagle Scout will make a big impact because that was done in HS, not college.

I would pm scoutpilot if he doesn't post for true guidance since he is a helo pilot and FFR. Jcleppe(?), might also be able to help since hs DS is an AROTC grad that just winged as a helo pilot.

Just my 2 cents. If it does take 4-8 yrs to get through WO and flight school application, don't you think that getting Eagle Scout as a 17 yr old or community service, really has no impact on their decision compared to what you did in the Army as an enlisted member?

Also are you in a 4 yr ROTC program or did you go to a JMC, and now you have to think about transferring to a 4 yr college, which would mean come next fall you will need to apply to 4 yr colleges, or decide to enlist.
 
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At least Kernels don't have to make coffee runs at the Pentagon.


Lieutenant is a weird one too. I always feel like I'm misspelling it... but I don't.

Sgt. now.... I think I still misspell that.
 
Why LITS? Is it because you could at least understand spelling kernel if they were in JROTC as a freshmen?

I am sure there are some Colonels at the Pentagon that do the coffee runs for the 3 and 4 stars!:shake:

Bullet as the lowly Lt.Col on a TDY to Hawaii with only Gens. was the one setting up tee times!:shake: The upshot was they allowed him to play, and the base gave them Ping clubs for the day!

Back on topic.

If I recall correctly the OP is in ROTC, but I can't recall if they were choosing between going to a 2 yr JMC, or a 4 yr traditional college with ROTC. I might have cause confusion for you with my remark.
 
o I have done some extensive research into becoming an flight warrant officer. I know all of the requirements and what it takes but I do have one great concern and it has to deal with what path I should take.

Right now I am in ROTC and my kernel told me that the best way to become a warrant is to complete the program and then serve my four years as any type of officer. He then told me after my four years apply and become a warrant flight officer since it would look much better on my record and that it would take roughly the same amount of years to be elgible for it anyway. (so essentially from the start of me being a e-3 to getting e-5 and then being elgible for flight warrant officer would be around 8 years, is this true?)

However I was thinking would I still have a strong chance of becoming one if I got my degree in computer science along with the following accomplishments:
1.) Eagle scout
2.) at least a 3.0 college gpa
3.) community service
4.) 300 on pt score (not my score right now but thats where I should be when I graduate)
5) 90 on asvab
6.) perfect health for flying
7.) good recommendations from my superiors(hopefully that would be achieved)

also would it really take at least 8 years to go through the whole process to be able to fly or would it be less because I heard of guys achieving the rank of sergeant in 2.5-4 years and isn't that the rank where your eligible for warrant officer school?

Your probably not going to find many Aviation Warrants on this forum, you may have to search elsewhere for more detailed advice.

A couple things, neither College or Enlistment is required for WOFT. The application process is becoming more competitive but there are still applicants accepted that have not completed college and have not enlisted.

The quickest way to get into WOFT while still improving your chances would be to complete your degree without doing ROTC, and apply straight to WOFT when you graduate.

If you are not accepted you still have the option to enlist, with a degree you would enlist as an E-4. You could then begin your application process again for WOFT.

If you want to apply for WOFT after college you better set your goals for a GPA a bit higher then 3.0.

If you decide to stay in ROTC and try for Aviation, you'll need to increase that GPA goal as well.

I've read some of your previous posts about your goal to fly an Apache. You were worried that you would only have a few years of combat flying before you were behind a desk, unless you have a crystal ball and know of some future war we'll be fighting when you graduate, I would not get to hung up on "Combat".

Another thing to think about, with the drawdown from combat flight hours are lowering for everyone. Right now the promotion rate from WO2 to WO3 is about 30%. Just because you make it to Warrant does not mean you'll be able to stay there.
 
I am just curious, are you considering dropping out of AROTC? The reason why is a WO is not the equivalent as an Officer. If you commission as an officer you can't go back to become a WO, and why would anyone? (it is a pay cut).

Actually you can.

Once you reach CPT you can submit an application for Warrant. It has become harder to switch then in the past but there have always been those that switched for the reason "I want to fly for my whole career"
 
Guessing but the OP seems to me to be about 14, maybe a high school freshman. Would also guess s/he might be looking for a perceived easy way into a cockpit.

Kernel... reminds me of when my neighbor described his grandson, USMC, as "privateS."
 
Hoooooo boy. Where to begin...

See what happens when you don't jump in at the beginning, the poor kid gets an armchair quaterback giving second hand information. That's what happens when the movie I'm watching on TV sucks and I start to let my fingers type while the brain is not engaged.

Please set the kid straight.

Hope all is well with you.
 
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