I'm currently a high school senior, and have made up my mind I want to become a helicopter pilot. I have no pilot contacts, becoming a civilian pilot right after high school is too $. So joining the military seems like a great idea. Unless I'm wrong one has to be an officer in all the branches to fly. I'd rather attend college and become an officer rather than start out enlisted. So my options have been narrowed down to the Air Force Academy or attending a college with an ROTC.
My questions...
Can I get into the Academy? And is it too focused on fixed wing aircraft? My G.PA. is around a 3.6, I'm no superstar, and one has to contact a U.S. senator. So it doesn't look too good.
Which ROTC branch is best? I'm fine with a combat role. Serving in the middle of the ocean is fine. I'd love to travel. I'd be willing to fly anything but a Chinook. I'm working into getting into shape but the Marines might be too hard. I have little knowledge of the Coast Guard. Any suggestions? Thanks.
2007-10-21 13:50:09 · 6 answers · asked by mckeveny 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Academy entrance criteria are not based on GPA alone; you can always start the application process and speak to a liasion officer (Blue & Gold officer in the Navy, not sure about the other services) who will be able to give you more info about how competitive you are for the academies.
About 60% of Navy pilots are helo pilots on multiple platforms, most commonly some variant of the H-60, serving both on and off ships, in combat and support roles.
ROTC is a pretty good option as well, from any branch of service. It just depends on what you're interested in.
Good luck!
2007-10-21 16:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by MVR 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At one time the Army had "High School to Flight School", but I do not think you can do this any more. I do know you have to have a good score on your entrance exam for any service.
The higher your score the better chance the military will pay for your way through college and to get into flight school.
The physical for flight school is pretty tough to pass, you have to be in tip top shape. (I went this route once as an enlisted and backed out after Desert Storm, everything the military has is to kill tanks or planes and I did not want to be in either)
Contact your local recruiters at the college ROTC units.
2007-10-21 21:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by Dawg Star 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) Go to college
2) Joint the ROTC; preferably Army ROTC if you want to fly combat helicopters.
3) Have a minimum 3.75 GPA
4) Work hard to maintain a good academic record
5) Graduate and get your commission
A friend of mine did exactly that, now he flies Blackhawks for the US Army National Guard at the rank of Captain.
2007-10-21 21:57:12 · answer #3 · answered by tercelclub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Army's High School to Flight School program. Immediately after graduating High school, you can enlist and become a Warrant officer in the Army, where you will learn to fly Helos.
without a college degree, this is your only shot.
2007-10-21 23:43:50 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take ary rotc while in 4 year college,then go into army as warrent officer
2007-10-22 18:17:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Army ROTC.
2007-10-21 21:01:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋