Great Video, ex Navy got picked up at 15 years AFS last year for flight. It definitely is about just living a little! I knew a had a slim chance to make it but I busted my ass on the SIFT and my packet. DONT SELL YOURSELF SHORT! Go take control of your destiny now!

@Navy_Army305

Жыл бұрын

Packet info at time of selection: SIFT 63, GT 118, top 5 NCO out of 200+ sailors, killer LORS from O5, 06, CW5, made sure my Resume and summary were air tight. As for my AFS waiver I referenced my evals that had Army WO as recommended follow on assignment and stated that I've been trying to do this programs since 2010 and the navy wouldn't grant my conditional release due to MOS manning health. Shit worked! Point being even if you are "old af" force them to tell you no!

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

🤝

@rhysgoodman7628

Жыл бұрын

I’m putting in my packet now as a high school senior and this was good to read. I have a GT score of 123, SIFT of 70, AFQT of 90. Three LoRs. Two CW5s and one LTC. The video of the board conversation made me a little bit nervous I won’t lie, but your comment made me feel better. I’ve got this!

@tannerwest8033

11 ай бұрын

@@Navy_Army305not sure if this is the best method to reach out, but I’m current navy hoping to pick your brain on intraservice selection! Thanks!

As an Army Recruiter currently I can attest to the lack of desire to want to process woft packets. The issue that we have at the end of the day is the amount of work and time it takes out of our prospecting and processing timeline. Our job is to find applicants for the Army conduct interviews and process and build enlistment packets. The woft packet building process takes a long time and for most recruiters isn't worth it if you can sell them on aviation maintenance instead so that they can build the packet from within the Army on their own. That way they can work with Warrant officer pilots and get the advice and recommendations they need. I wanted to fly when I joined the Army and was told there was no pathway to fly without a college degree which I know now was a lie. I am submitting my woft packet as a recruiter and will work with anyone who can't find a recruiter willing to process a woft packet for them. I am a Staff Sergeant in the Houston TX area.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Awesome comment. Glad you're doing it the right way and making it better for everyone. It's beautiful. I wish you the best in your journey with this. Your comment alone is reason enough for selection. We need good people who want to make it better and are willing to go above and beyond to help. 🤝

@austinbattles8288

Жыл бұрын

I would love some help submitting the package. I don’t think I can DM on KZread, so do you have a good method of contact?

@xxpattersonxx95

Жыл бұрын

Do you know any good recruiters in south Florida, I’m currently in the USAF. When I call recruiters they either don’t care or don’t wanna work work with me

@cascadianapplications7124

11 ай бұрын

I had my local NG rec give me the same story. I was told that the program was canceled, which I knew to be wrong. Then he called the regional WASM and she confirmed what I knew to be true. Felt good. Working through stuff now. Do I have to have a military reference in my packet?

@bodonlevy4734

10 ай бұрын

Hey idk if you’ll see this but I was wondering if you know any recruiters that could help me out. I live in Southern California and I’m willing to drive further if that means Ill get the help which I know is needed in ordered to hopefully get this process done successfully. Let me know if u see this so I can give u my contact information.

I'm 19, and my WOFT packet was accepted back in November(started my packet in October 2022). Firstly, this is an amazing video; I wish I had seen this last year. One of the most frustrating things was finding the info on what to do. Yeah, big theme PUSH THROUGH my packet failed the first board and passed the next. I think for anyone doing this: there are a lot of specific required factors, so attention to detail is a must! Most recruiters don't put in WOFT applicants, so be involved heavily in the process! On many occasions I was informing my recruiter on what to do and not the other way around, and I was lucky that I had a great recruiter that was critically supportive. Lastly, have self-awareness; not to say be overcritical of yourself, but try to put yourself in the board's place. Ask yourself genuinely, "Would I accept this applicant?" If your packet needs work, make the necessary adjustments and push forward. I hope that this can be of some assistance to anyone looking to make this work.

@Ryanaviation23

Жыл бұрын

2021 was when I started typo*

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

We started at the same time basically. Congrats on your selection and persistence. Have you made it to training?

@Ryanaviation23

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I start basic training in a few weeks. I’m hitting the books and the gym in the mean time.

@___kayed

Жыл бұрын

I wanna become a pilot also!

@seanjc

Жыл бұрын

Who wrote your Letters of Recommendation? Any high school teachers, coaches, or anything of that nature?

If you want to be a street to seater, find a recruiter who will take you to MEPS to take the SIFT. Once you pass the SIFT, they have no reason not to process your packet. You don't need a degree, you don't need prior experience, you don't need connections. All of those things help, but everyone has a different back story and the way that you sell yourself is entirely dependent on that experience. We have street to seats ages from 18-34 in our class. If you fail your first board, you might make your second. They won't even tell you that you will be automatically reconsidered. Make them tell you no. Make them tell you no multiple times.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

This is what so many need to here.

Even being an older prior service vet, this bit of info gave me a boost of confidence putting my packet together.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate the affirmation old timer 😉

I’m 21 and this gets me excited man. Love that you shared this video.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

It is exciting Dom. I'm glad you got value! GO GET IT!!

Thanks for the video! Good break down on want they are looking for. My packet is getting boarded this month. Hoping it goes alright. I'm doing the Army Reserve route. Been in 10 yrs enlisted.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Wish you the best of luck with your packet thus year. Glad you found this helpful. Stay in touch🤝

LIVE A LITTLE! I needed this, really looking into becoming a pilot after flying in the Air Force. I feel i may have some pushback and i am already prepared to get right back up. Thank you

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

No one gives a sht about your career besides you (unless you get that 2/100 leader, advocate) GO push for it. Make it happen.

Thanks for the video! My interservice transfer got approved which was my last obstacle for the packet submission. Please keep up the videos it’s definitely motivating. Semper Fi

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

MOTIVATOR! Beautiful news. I'm glad to hear it. Keep in contact!!

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Hopefully I'll see you at Rucker

I helped 19 enlisted Solider make it to the Warrant Ranks. I always looked at the complete Solider approach. I had some Soldiers ask me for a recommendation and I told straight eyed I would not. This is the honest look, but what i offered after were things to improve their packet and ultimately the chance to exceed. Some took the advice some were hostile/angry. I told all of them I am not your friend at this moment I am asked to make an honest assessment of what I think you will do as a Warrant Officer and promote the brotherhood in a positive way.

7:10 sold! I’ve been studying so hard! Taking my PICAT on Tuesday then SIFT and working on letters of recommendation. I needed this video, thank you!

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Keep pushing 🇺🇸🤝

@SweetNardz

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius update: scored a 126GT and now studying for the SIFT. Here we go!

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@@SweetNardz great score

Awesome info, it is crazy there is only 6k views. I'm a Cadet graduating next year, going into National Guard aviation. No one in our program has ever told us about how accessible and a good deal the guard is for AV, I found out bout it just being on reddit one night. Hope more people can find out about what a great time it is to try and be a pilot in the Army.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

You actually reignited an idea I had last year. I wanted to reach out to my old college and make sure the Army folks had good info and awareness on this program. Appreciate you commenting. Keep up the great work Jackson, and I'll see you down south brotha🤝

Very informative thank you.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Glad there was value.

I came straight out of college. I did have an advantage when we started to fly. I was a flight instructor, but this advantage i used to help my classmates excel. We called it corporate and graduate. The few turds that were out for themselves we had an equal award, it was the Blue Falcon, and it was beat into your chest. So, if you ever see a CWO with multiple scars in his upper left chest well you now know why!

It's that 10 year contract that turns me away

@merrittorius

5 ай бұрын

I get that. I will say that every branch's aviators sign for 10. The Army was the outlier with the 6 year ADSO until they added to it. Definitely a commitment. Gotta have a pretty good idea that it's what you want.

@claysoggyfries

5 ай бұрын

@@merrittorius Yeah I’m considering going warrant but if the contract was 6 like it used to be, I wouldn’t be as hesitant

I love you bro u don’t understand u making my life easier

@merrittorius

13 күн бұрын

Love you too dude. Go get it

The day the Army put some big-headed CW5 Commanding a selection board was the beginning of the end for taking Warrant Officers seriously. I spent 21 years in Army Aviation, retiring as a CW4. I knew many of the first CW5s in charge of these efforts. They threw away our WO customs and traditions (i.e. requiring Warrants to salute each other) and it’s become more like dynasty making. If these are what’s needed to pass boards, wait till the members move on and it’ll change.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

What are some of the big tickets changes that have happened that you miss Mr Latta? I love having a little historical perspective when assessing the current culture.

@Delatta1961

5 ай бұрын

@@merrittoriussorry for the delay in responding. When the Army made Aviation a stand-alone branch is where the end of the Warrant Officer traditions, customs and courtesies, and how they relate to and work together began to end. We were once the group whom policed their own, we were technocrats for commanders, and SME for anyone who needed advice on career matters, my door was always open. I was around when CW5 became a thing, and I was selected in 2000. I took a long look at assignment choices and I saw absolutely nothing that interested me, but worse was those on the promotion list along side me. It became political and cutthroat. Those with connections jockeying for positions that had absolutely nothing to do with their skills and experience, but pushing for some obscure position at DA or the pentagon. There, they made important edicts demanding junior officers salute and call them “sir”, all the while the institutional knowledge and decades of experience was lost as they left. I could go on for days, but it raises my blood pressure to see them destroy my beloved institution. Before I end, ask yourself, after more than 75 years of a selection process, covering more than 35 years of combat, and Warrant Officers proving each day that the process of selection was spot on, time and time again, these geniuses want to revamp the entire system. That’s not effective, it’s political. They’re jockeying for the next step up the ladder. End of Rant. Blue Skies, CW4 D Latta, UH-60A/L/M SP/IE

@danielrelinski5665

Ай бұрын

@@Delatta1961 I agree. I graduated in November of 85 and spent just shy of 28 years in Army Aviation. I spent 14 of those years as a W4 and was never interested in being a W5 and flying a mahogany bomber. I spent my entire career at the Troop level, IP, SP, IE. I was lucky and got to fly different airframes in my career, UH-1, AH-1, OH-58 A/C/ and Kiowa's, LUH-72's and short stint as a RC-12N pilot, which I fucking hated. The down fall started when they made aviation a branch, we had much better senior officers when they were tankers and infantry officers as their primary branch. I refused to salute W5's when I was on active duty, I lived by the old warrant officer creed, "rank amongst warrant officers is like virtue amongst whores".

Personal friend with Joe Roland. I am a CW4 retired who turned down W5 for my Family.

Talked to you a while back on one of your older videos. Got a hiccup in my process. I have to go see a Lasik doctor to fix my astigmatism. Then I have to wait 6 months in order to redo the eye exam to be seen by the Flight Surgeon.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Hopefully it all comes out with no issue. Stay the course brotha. I'm sure it'll just be a blip on the radar in the long term.

I always laugh when I see DA Aviation struggle with recruiting and retention. When we went through ARI in 2015 a ton of us 58D guys tried to tell them we wanted to stay and continue flying but the leadership refused to listen and said "if you can find another MOS you can stay, if not get out".

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Brother, I went through the same thing 09, they were offering 35k in the Corps to reenlist prior to my eas, and the moment i asked to sign back up they had to many people.....my seat was given to an 18 year old with no training no deployments, nothing. Crazy.

@RamadiTaxiDriver60M

11 ай бұрын

Amen. No thought as to how a decision will affect the force in the future.

As a basic trainee in 1968 I had the opportunity to go either WOFT or OCS. Slso could have gone to the West Point Preparatory Academy, but I would have been a little to old upon graduation from West Point. I wasn't sure about meeting vision requirements to fly so I chose OCS knowing I could attend flight school after OCS. In fact, I started the flight school process during OCS. Sure enough my vision wouldn't have cut it so I made the right choice in selecting OCS over WOFT.

@merrittorius

8 ай бұрын

Appreciate your service Rich. Thanks for saying hello on here sir.

Who they want is one thing. Who they decide to keep is another.

Even though this is directed to Warrant Officers this boost my confidence to becoming a Aviation Officer and what they are looking for. I talked to the recruiter about WOFT and they steered me away from it lol. They were trying to get me into the reserves as a 17 year old kid. I'm just going to do ROTC like my original plan and apply to Aviation Units in the guard to pursue my dreams of going into the Airlines while being a Helicopter Pilot.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely do ROTC. 2 of my brothers did it and have been successful in their professional lives. Solid approach Luke.

@injurious1282

Жыл бұрын

exactly what I did. Work for it and youll get it

@lukefritz4058

Жыл бұрын

Oh yea that helps, I am starting to apply to WOFT to open more doors. My cousin is also a army pilot and is training on the Apache right now. But hes a officer.

I wish I would have know about this coming out of high school back in 2008….I turn 34 this October and I can get a conditional release but I’m not sure if my age will be favorable by the time I get into school…but I would be willing to give 10 years as an Aviation War Fighter without a doubt…..

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Make them tell you "no"

34 years young, ex-Navy electrician on fighters. Stationed in Japan many years ago and did 2 deployments aboard the G-Dub. Now, I'm looking to put in my packet with the Utah Army National Guard (while living in Cali), eventually commission, and fly Apache's part-time near Salt Lake City someday. Got my initial correspondence with the OIC from the state a few days ago and couldn't be more excited!

@merrittorius

4 ай бұрын

Wish you the best of luck. It's an exciting and long process. Totally worth it.

The one thing that I caution about what the guy said was that since the top candidate had family that are prior service that somehow makes him a better candidate. This is part of why the military is becoming so isolated and a "family business." Bring in that candidate that is the first to serve or fly. Get new blood in otherwise expect the same.

@merrittorius

11 ай бұрын

Love that logic. Totally agree.

Thanks for the informative video. I don’t think I have a chance due to age and active federal service but I’m still committed to applying. Currently studying for the SIFT and hopefully a high GT score and “fingers crossed” SIFT will get me close to the door.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I think weve got to give it a go. Make them say no, a few times if necessary 😌 Wish you the best in it Johny B. 🤝🤙 Happy Holidays

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Dude, btw. IF you can get some serious LORs that'll make a difference. I'm talking generals, command COs. Stuff like that will sway.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@footskt8 Are you still in bro? I'm 37 heading to flight school this year 🤣

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@footskt8 man I hear that! I'd love to connect with you elsewhere if you've got time to chat. Let me know if I can reach out somewhere.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@footskt8 hit me up on IG or Tiktok if you have the time. Same @ 🤝 Otherwise no stress. I know we're all busy.

Nice!

@merrittorius

11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

"An army ranger would just run right through that. Hooah." Literally made me laugh.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

They would hooah 🤝

The Iron Rule of supply & demand rules. Enlisted in the Marines with a contract for OCS & flight school (decades ago) once I showed my college diploma to the recruiter and passed the USN flight physical. NEVER took a written test or was required to endure any board examination. Then after my time as a Marine aviator was done -- surprise: Mother Marine Corps suddenly had too many pilots! -- I resigned my commission and accepted CW2 in a local USAR unit where I flew another fourteen years on weekends. Twenty-five years combined service total: all on flight status. Supply & Demand always rules.

@merrittorius

9 ай бұрын

"needs of the *fill in your branch here*" To me, The best part of your story is that you pivoted and kept pursuing the flight career. I think too many people get stuck or are afraid to make a move allowing a sub conscious fear of the unknown to rule them in a sense. Not to get too deep, but I love that you did that. Thanks for sharing.

@Borzoi86

9 ай бұрын

The transition from USMC to USAR was eased by the fact that I'd be flying Boeing helicopters again. I flew the CH-46 as a Marine and then the CH-47 as an Army aviator. I know the Huey has a storied history and still has many admirers but though I have several hundred hours in both single-engine and dual engine Hueys, I was never really comfortable with having a tail rotor. Love the added power advantage and clearance parameters of a tandem rotor design! I was very fortunate that the Army Reserve unit was within easy driving range of my home AND also needed tandem rotor experienced pilots. I completed a necessary two-week local transition within my USAR unit and never saw Ft. Rucker until after I had retired from the Army on a subsequent tourist visit. @@merrittorius

@merrittorius

9 ай бұрын

@@Borzoi86 who did you fly phrogs with? I was on New River.

@Borzoi86

9 ай бұрын

All west coast: Santa Ana, CA then Futenma (Oki) then Northern Thailand (SAR missions) then HMM-770 at NAS Whidbey Island, WA until the big budget knife caught up with our reserve squadron. That 'knife' turned me into an Army aviator. If the nearby USAR unit did NOT have Chinooks I may not have been so eager to join. But they did -- and I was privileged to fly with some very excellent Army pilots and flight engineers there for 14 years as a 'weekend warrior.' I've never seen New River but need to since the Sea Knight on permanent display at the front gate was one I flew at HMM-770. (I checked the BuNo number in my log book.)@@merrittorius

@merrittorius

9 ай бұрын

@@Borzoi86 That's awesome. Heck of a career. Do you still get up and fly anything personal / ever have that desire?

I’m a CPL with 6yrs in, going on 7. I know they don’t want soldiers with 8 years or more. I don’t mind serving the 10 years or serving over 20 years. Made the mistake of not getting a degree or getting promoted earlier in my career. Being young and dumb pretty much. Would love to talk to a warrant officer for advice.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Shoot me a message on IG if you've got specific questions. Happy to help where possible.

Currently waiting for my physical to get stamped off from Rucker but the AFS waiver comment kills me. Hopefully my packet is strong enough for consideration! Im active and will turn 32 this year but more than 8 years of service!

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I hope it works out for you brother. We're definitely fighting the odds.

@Imkindatiredstill

Жыл бұрын

What does AFS mean and why did you need a waiver for it?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@Alexander Green Active Federal Service I believe. It's basically your active duty years....they aren't viewing it favorably because it means you will reach retirement quickly and leave.

A dumb question but I’ve looked on every forum and I’m currently in the reserves. I know that the army isn’t really stringent on some things for flight stuff but I’m red and green deficit…is there anyway I can get a waiver to move forward in my army career into aviation? there’s gotta be a way

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I cannot answer this with authority. I'm sorry friend. I know I had to pass the eye /vision tests. Not sure if there are corrective or waiverable options.

It's quite unfortunate Army recruiters steer away young potential recruits on the WOFT program. That's always been a problem due to more recruiter work load in not having the person selected.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely and That's why I uploaded this. I want the younger applicants to see how much the top level wants to give them a shot.

@adamgoudelock6466

Жыл бұрын

I was National Guard E5 passing SIFT tried to go active duty WOFT. All active duty recruiters said I had to go 15T first then put in a packet. Ended up going Reserve because I couldn't find a path on active.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@@adamgoudelock6466 ya, those folks were working off old/bad info or just didn't care to put in the time apparently.

@OGARDKNARF

Жыл бұрын

As an Army Recruiter currently I can attest to the lack of desire to want to process woft packets. The issue that we have at the end of the day is the amount of work and time it takes out of our prospecting and processing timeline. Our job is to find applicants for the Army conduct interviews and process and build enlistment packets. The woft packet building process takes a long time and for most recruiters isn't worth it if you can sell them on aviation maintenance instead so that they can build the packet from within the Army on their own. That way they can work with Warrant officer pilots and get the advice and recommendations they need. I wanted to fly when I joined the Army and was told there was no pathway to fly without a college degree which I know now was a lie. I am submitting my woft packet as a recruiter and will work with anyone who can't find a recruiter willing to process a woft packet for them. I am a Staff Sergeant in the Houston TX area.

When a aviation warrant officer applicant gets their packet submited. Do the board members prefer a applicant with alot of experience in the army and a appealing background or can a younger soldier in the army such as myself still get their packet accepted?

@merrittorius

9 ай бұрын

In short they are appreciating the younger folks right now. In my WOCS class it was a bunch of prior service soldiers who were mostly under 26 and me at 37. They want folks who are going to make it a career and are high speed. Go get it.

I'm currently going through the process for the Indiana National Guard and saw you did the same thing. My board is projected for July or August. Any way we can chat and I can pick your brain?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Shoot me a message on IG

@cw5894

7 ай бұрын

Do you have to go through a recruiter if your are going national guard?

Im currently 20 years old and am about to finish my private helicopter pilot license this month and my goal this whole time was to have a better chance to get accepted into the WOFT program. Hopefully everything goes well

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

That's a great plan and smart of you. I'm rooting for you.

@xmzru

Жыл бұрын

is it really that hard to get accepted?

@chancetisdale483

Жыл бұрын

@@xmzru it is very competitive

@xmzru

Жыл бұрын

@@chancetisdale483 even more than the air force or navy? how so? the army doesn't require a bachelors to become a pilot unlike the air force or navy

@chancetisdale483

Жыл бұрын

@@xmzru exactly, civilians can put in a packet so a lot more people are applying than the other branches

I got a Minor In Possession (MIP) involving a beer at a Saint Patrick's Day Parade. I heard this is virtually a DQ for the WO Program. I'm guilty of having a beer. Now I've lost this opportunity over a $50.00 civil fine. And some connect a beer to a drinking problem.

@merrittorius

9 ай бұрын

This is inaccurate. It's a simple moral waiver. Now I'm in the Guard so keep that in mind but I've got a DWI on mine record and got a moral waiver for it. Keep asking around. Find the right person to work with but the burden is on you to prove you're worth their time.

@thomasryan2679

7 ай бұрын

Oh crap, thank you sir. Good luck. @@merrittorius

I'm going to be a high school senior this coming school year, and I was wondering what I could do to get letter of recommendations? I've seen everywhere that people have LORs from high ranking officers inside the military and was thinking that it wouldn't compare to things like job managers and teachers. I also wanted to know if the WOFT pathway only allows for helo pilots or is there an option for fixed wing Thank you sir!

@merrittorius

11 ай бұрын

1. LORs require leg work and the audacity to give yourself a shot. 2. Most aviation warrants and officers understand the WOFT process and will be MORE than willing to help. 3. YOU have to make contact. GO take the initiative and make the calls. Say hello to your uncles cousins retired buddy who's a general. Find the nearest Army Flight line and get a phone number.

@whosthis1230

11 ай бұрын

@@merrittorius Thanks boss, appreciate the advice

Do you think a 29 year old has a chance with a WOFT Packet? It kind of seemed like in the vid the only benefit of a WOFT candidate is the young age, and if they wanted older candidates, they would pick from the pool of active duty candidates.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I'm 37 and I'm WOFT. I think its very possible and I'd just apply to both WOFT and regular.

Are they enlisting you as an O9W!? Or a 153A? Would love to reach out to you if your comfortable with email first lmk. I just had my board two weeks ago and was accepted. But your process has been a lot different then mine so that’s why I’d like to talk to you and see what your recruiter is doing and just compare.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I'm going to make a video on this, in short I enlisted as a WOC - 09W. I'll talk about the finer details and context. Reach out if you need anything in the mean time.

I would sign 15 I really want to do this is my dream

This was very insightful. I am an 11yr Air Force E-6 Aircraft mechanic (AC-130s/C-130s). I went to the Army recruiters and asked about WOFT. They kept encouraging me to switch branches into a helicopter mechanic MOS and said, "It'll be your best chance to get picked up for WOCS if you are already in the Army". That might be true but it was really frustrating that they provided me with very little help or direction. Here I am, a year later, trying to figure it out still... Granted in that time I have been going to school to finish my degree. I might try to commission within the Air Force and fly 130's but man I love watching the Blackhawks fly over my house or doing touch-n-goes by the local hospital, it is just captivating. Any advice for sister service applicants?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I disagree with enlisting to be a mechanic. I would build your network outside of the recruiting office to pilots cw3 and above and attempt to work towards a WOFT packet if your background warrants that. Definitely get your ducks in a row on previous experience and why you deserve the WOFT packet. You have to be able to articulate why you deserve it. Quantify it. Prove it. Speak smartly and efficiently about it. Call around. Keep learning and pushing.

I am 30, Asian American, E-6, pursuing a PPL now. I do not have much opportunity meeting an aviation warrant less to say a chief warrant. What's the likelihood of me being selected with all honestly if this is what I want to do as a career?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I'm not sure brother. Just articulate your strengths well and be sure to know your audience and what they want to see in a candidate.

I got a few Questions , I’m a 17 year old junior in High school , I finished the ASVAB with a GT score or 119, And my current Army National guard recruiter wants me to go in as a 15t Blackhawk repairer. From your knowledge is there any possibility I could transfer to AD and submit a WOFT packet after I complete College? Edit: would 15 tango in aviation prove a competitive pathway to gain experience to become a warrant officer?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I'm going to make a video from the comment. It'll give my general advice to the high school applicant and answer your specific questions. Give me a few days.

@chrisrinehart4008

17 күн бұрын

I was an AD 15T. It wasn't that easy in the past to transfer from NG to AD but I did see several come through. 15T is a good route to go Warrant. Many of my pilots were former enlisted and many of the former warrants I work with on the civilian side said that the Ohio NG specifically wants 15 series to go Warrant.

is that sweetwater lake near Heflin, AL?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Nah brotha. More north. 🤝

I've been lookin into this, but the recommendations part, what am i supposed to do? I have literally one person who could do a recommendation that's it, so how are people like me supposed to put in a packet when there simply isn't enough people we know to write letters?

@merrittorius

Ай бұрын

You have to go find them. It's part of the drill if you want to do this. I've got other videos on how I'd approach reaching out to folks who could write them.

@colefredericks2869

Ай бұрын

@merrittorius But if you find someone, how are they going to know you well enough to actually write a recommendation? Why would they use their reputation to recommend what is essentially a stranger?

@merrittorius

Ай бұрын

@@colefredericks2869 interview/meeting/phone call

@colefredericks2869

Ай бұрын

@merrittorius I suppose that makes sense, I just feel like it'd be hard to determine what someone is all about from some interviews and phones calls is all. But I honestly did not think anyone would respond to this, I thank you very much for doing so. I need to do some more digging, again, thank you for the insight.

VSM Boom! How come you 377 subs but not me?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

WAKE UUUUUPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!

It seems so unlikely at the moment that I would be accepted but I simply cannot age out one day and wonder "what if". I would be much more satisfied to have that closure of being denied and denied by everyone with the power to say yes. Question for you sir: If my packet gets denied at let's say 23 years old, the age I am now, does that mean I can never apply again? In that case, since I have ten years until the limit, I wonder what steps I would have to take then to become the most competitive. Thank you. Dreams, oh dreams they hurt but I gotta see them through... "If it is humanly possible, consider it possible... for you" Wow. I must internalize that.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Internalize that for sure. To my knowledge, there is no limit on applying. To become better it's, get the college degree, get better LORs by growing your network, write better resume and letter, improved ACFT/PT score.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Stay employed. Whatever job you're in keep advancing. Stuff like that. Display the qualities they're looking for and know your audience so you can effectively communicate how you're the person they're looking for.

I'm 32. What advice can u give me to be a pilot outside this vid? I have a masters in public admin

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I've got a couple other vids that cover a ton of my thoughts I'd encourage you to watch. I go through all of it.

@hannibalthe1st565

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius bro 7:05 was an inspiring moment for me. I'll check out these other vids

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@@hannibalthe1st565 Glad to hear that. 🤝 Good luck

I’m 44 years old, but I’m very good and I can be an excellent pilot if I want to. How do I apply for this job?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

Call a recruiter to start.

Are you stationed on New River? HMH-464?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I was.

@edwardleshore4943

Жыл бұрын

@Merrittorius dang I'm there now at VMM-774 I wanted to pick your brain

@edwardleshore4943

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius how long did you have left on your contract when you applied?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I didn't have anything left on my contract. Ive been out since 09. If I was still in I wouldn't be afraid to apply with a year left, even 2.

Will u be full time or reserves/ng

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

NG🤙

@hannibalthe1st565

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius im looking at flying in ut national guard. They have a ton of black hawks and apaches. Gotta figure this shit out cause civilian life is so boring

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@@hannibalthe1st565 Amen, time to shake it up.

do we still need bachelors degrees?

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

No. But it is a massive help in being selected especially if you're pushing into the mid/late 20s.

@xmzru

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius what if you're a 17 year old senior?

Just a blind swing here, but anyone have some warrants or officers I can interview with lol. Ex Navy, 28 aviation background.

@obriantomlinson2776

Жыл бұрын

“Ex Navy” 🙄 come on bro lol

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

I do not. Have you found any in the last month?

@Jack-yo3se

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius recruiter hooked me up with a couple.

@Jack-yo3se

Жыл бұрын

@@obriantomlinson2776 something wrong with that? Lol

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

@@Jack-yo3se glad they got you a path forward.

So Joe was a Marine...Maybe he could expound on that process.

Army pilots only average two hours of flight time per month. That's really pathetic. I can understand fighter pilots with that low of hours but I didn't realize helicopter pilots were that bad also. All that with a ten year ADSO. Meh.

@merrittorius

Жыл бұрын

There are roughly 14,000 pilots in the Army, including Guard and Reserve. Some of them are O6s with Command billets. Some of them are WO1s. Some of them fly 1 hour a week. Some of them fly 10 hours a week. Your data point isn't sufficient to make a judgment with.

@thebigmon

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius How many years have you been flying and how many hours do you currently have? You don't have to answer if you don't want to but I'm just curious.

@thebigmon

Жыл бұрын

@@merrittorius Ok, I did my math wrong. I heard it comes out to about 100 hours a year in peace time. Which is still pretty low.

@danielrelinski5665

Ай бұрын

When I retired in 2011 the minimums for a year were 110 hours, that was minimums. It really is going to depend on the type of airframe you are flying and the job you do. I was instructor pilot for nearly 25 years in the Army and I was averaging anywhere from 350 to 500 hours a year. I retired after nearly 28 years with just over 10,000 hours, my last year flying was in Afghanistan and I flew over 900 hours that year alone. When I retired I did the contractor thing in Afghanistan for 3 years and flew another 2,000 hours in those three years. Remember the more complex the airframe the more likely that the aircraft is going to be broken, ie, Apaches. I would recommend anyone going to flight school today to lean towards the UH-60, UH-72 or fixed wing for maximum flight time. I would say that 75% of my flight time was in the OH-58D, an aircraft that virtually never broke. Once you are in, look at the Standardization pipeline, stay away from maintenance officer and safety officer if you want to maximize flight time.

So you don’t want experienced individuals who have about 10 years of service (combat service), to transition to a pilot because they will retire in 10 years? “My situation”

@merrittorius

6 ай бұрын

Make them say no. Sounds like they still need good people from everyone I talk to. I agree with your logic for sure though

@THEajballard

4 ай бұрын

Same for me. I got 10 years in and I'm 38. I got out of the army 6 years ago. I'm going to talk to a recruiter this Tuesday. Hopefully my private pilots license and bachelor's degree helps out bc I know I'll need to jump through hoops.

@merrittorius

4 ай бұрын

I love that you're gonna try. Your creds are good. Just focus on how long the roi is going to be from you. They want people to stay in. I intend to stay in and focused on that.