Warrant Officer to academy

rotorman

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Apr 12, 2019
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I have applied to USNA 2 times and have gotten turned down twice. I'm a Civilian helicopter pilot and A&P (airframe and powerplant -- licensed aircraft mechanic). I spoke to an army recruiter about submitting a packet for Warrant Officer to become an Army aviator. I am wondering if anyone knows if this is possible to go from Army warrant to academy. I want to go into the military instead of spending a whole nother year civilian trying to prepare again, I am very reluctant to enlist because I know enlistment is a crap chute and will not guarantee me a spot to get nominated and selected for a slot. I wouldn't imagine Warrant to the academy would be an option since WOCS and Flight school combined are almost 2 years of training, however, I just wanted to pick the brains of the veterans of this process. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
It is possible, although I can’t say I have heard of it happening a lot. More common is for Warrants to get a full commission through OCS. The warrant officer flight program sounds like a good fit for you and you’d prolly be a shoe in with your background. Also, the Coast Guard and I believe also the Navy offers direct commissions for aviators from other services (including Army Warrant officers), meaning once your contract was up as an Army Warrant you could apply for the Coast Guard’s direct commission aviator program, and if you were accepted you’d go straight in as a commissioned officer and pilot.
 
I just wanted to pick the brains of the veterans of this process.
Unlikely that anyone has any direct experience here. There are alot of factors at play here, and as you say ..it would be a crap shoot. Issues include:

1) Interservice issues - You posted on USNA Board - are you looking at USNA specifically,or any Service Academy. I think USNA would be reluctant to "poach" a WO after Army puts a bunch of money into flight training.
2) Time -There is an age limit for application to a Service Academy . Do you have time to go through Basic Training, Flight Training etc. and still be eligible, or would you apply while in the pipeline.

I certainly would not discourage anyone from enlisting and going to Army helo training if that is what you want to do, but if your objective is to attend a Service Academy and become a Commissioned Officer, I would encourage you to take the more traditional route, including Plan B school, ROTC if possible, or even enlisting and pursuing through that process. (If Navy, Nuclear power is a good route). Best of luck !
 
I just wanted to pick the brains of the veterans of this process.
Unlikely that anyone has any direct experience here. There are alot of factors at play here, and as you say ..it would be a crap shoot. Issues include:

1) Interservice issues - You posted on USNA Board - are you looking at USNA specifically,or any Service Academy. I think USNA would be reluctant to "poach" a WO after Army puts a bunch of money into flight training.
2) Time -There is an age limit for application to a Service Academy . Do you have time to go through Basic Training, Flight Training etc. and still be eligible, or would you apply while in the pipeline.

I certainly would not discourage anyone from enlisting and going to Army helo training if that is what you want to do, but if your objective is to attend a Service Academy and become a Commissioned Officer, I would encourage you to take the more traditional route, including Plan B school, ROTC if possible, or even enlisting and pursuing through that process. (If Navy, Nuclear power is a good route). Best of luck !

Thanks for the info. I do have time to go through all of that since I'm only 19. I applied for NROTC and got denied, I have too many college credits now anyway to get a ROTC scholarship. My associates degree will be done by the end of this summer. I have alot of good experience and diverse background i just dont know how to portray it well. I evidently do not have what USNA is looking for...
 
If you’ve got so many college credits that you’re ineligible for a ROTC scholarship, are you sure you want to start all over again at the Naval Academy? People from a place other than directly from high school or prep school do come here, but it may be a difficult adjustment during your plebe year. You’ll have been so close to graduating at that point, only to start undergraduate studies all over again, and you’ll be treated like a child by people who are the same age as you.

Have you looked into Navy OCS at all? It might be the most straightforward path to commisioning for someone in your situation. I do recommend following the advice frequently given here: That the ultimate goal is to commision as an officer. Academies are merely a means to that end.

The Naval Academy is a very special place, but it isn’t the perfectly glamorous institution that many make it out to be. OCS produces great officers, and I bet if you commission through that avenue and then come witness firsthand what mids are subjected to, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief!
 
I agree with above comments. Finish your degree and enter via OCS.

Try the Marines. They’ll let you fly their stuff.
 
I still think age I s going to be an issue. You may be 19 now, but by the time you are accepted, completed 2 years of training and then get to a unit to actually submit a package it would be very close. Training pipelines don’t always go one right after each other and your command may say... ‘we haven’t seen you perform yet, we need time to evaluate you before submitting.’ Also why would the Army spend that much money to train you to let you go to another service? Not to mention, you will have just been trained and now you want to sit for 4 years without flying? What purpose does that serve?

Also, you seem focused on USNA but are willing to go Army? What is the goal, to serve, to fly, to be in the Navy? The answer to that will drive what options you should be focused on.
 
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