U.S Military, helicopters? Apache,etc?

Question

I was thinking about flying, do I get to choose if I wan't to fly a jet/helicopter, if so. Can I choose if I wan't to fly the Apache/Black Hawk etc?

The soldier that flies, is flying his only job? Or does he go out on the battlefield on foot, aswell?

What would be better, the USMC or the USAF, in your opinion?

Thank you.

I will be getting my Associate's Degree, and I'd prefer being able to be on land and in the air, but it seems I can't.

Answer 1

If you have your heart set on flying the Apache, you should join the Army. The Army and the Air Force both fly Black Hawks. I recommend the Air Force, but I'm an active duty USAF officer, so I'm hardly impartial.

To become a helicopter pilot, you first have to earn a bachelors degree, then you have to become a military officer, then you have to graduate flight school, and then you have to be selected for helo training. If you have your heart set on this, you should talk to a recruiter about joining ROTC as a means towards getting your bachelors degree. You need to be aware though that there is no guarantee that you'll definitely get to join the military as a pilot, and even if you do manage that part, you still have to graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training. If you fail that, you'll be reassigned to some other career field.

Most pilots have an office job within their unit on the ground in addition to their job as a pilot in the air. As a pilot, you would probably only ever find yourself on a battlefield on foot if you were shot down or if your base was overrun. The military spends far too much money training pilots to put them at risk by using them as infantry.

My brother is a USAF Black Hawk pilot. If you are seriously interested in this, feel free to email me, and I'll see if I can put you in touch with him. He would probably be happy to answer your questions.

Answer 2

I'd pick USMC, however the Corps puts you where it needs you, you don't get to pick your job above you get what you are best at, no matter what a recruiter says. Join the Marines and odds are you will be a rifleman in Iraq. If you want to fly an Apache the Army is the option. The Marines don't have Apaches, they have Cobra's, which personally I like better (same firepower, smaller target, history...) but are a little behind technologically.
A pilot is just that, a pilot, you go through basic training of course but you are trained for flying not being an infantry man, you will likely never see combat on the ground.
If you were looking to fly a Blackhawk all branches of the service employ them from Air Force to Coast Guard.

Answer 3

Soldiers are in the army. In order to fly in the marine corps or air force you have to be a commissioned officer. That requires a bachelors degree.

Answer 4

First you have to pass the fast test.Flight-Aviation-skills-test,it is a written test you must pass before they even consider you.You can get a book called rotary wing if you can find one it will help you as much as any book unless they have one I haven't heard of.Then if you pass you have to apply to go to Ft, Rucker Alabama for your extreme training.Good luck we need some dedicated pilots.Join the Army if you want to fly the Apache or cobra.The Air force is also good.Basically any branch will get you what your seeking,Good luck.

Answer 5

"the USMC or the USAF, in your opinion?"

Neither.
The US Navy.
Anyone can land a plane on a 3 mile long runway.
Try landing on an airport thats moving around on you and is on 200 feet.

Granted the Marines have a FEW good men that are carrier qualified.

Answer 6

You need to have at least two years of college first. How close do you want to be to the action. How tough are you? USMC if you are tough enough and want close up action. USAF if you want to stay at a distance. Talk to a Recruiter.