[Brad]

I'm not an Army Pilot, or even in the military. I did go through the WOFT application process but didn't make it due to a vision problem. I'll try and give some generic answers to get you started, and hopefully Av8tor or another pilot will drop by and chime in.


How many people wash out of Warrant Officer Candidate School?

I don't know exact numbers, but just like OCS, it's a highly challenging environment. You need to be squared away and have your head on straight to succeed. The course is designed to be an overwhelming experience.



How many wash out of Warrant Officer Flight Training?

Surely some do, but at Flight School they want you to succeed. My brother was an AF IP down at Columbus, MS for a few years. He has several stories of students who tried to kill him in the air one way or another but who are now successful military pilots. Same is true in Army Flight School. You have training and you have check rides. As I understand it, even if you fail a check ride, you usually get another chance before they wash you out. Helicopter Flight School has been described as trying to drink water from a fire hose. It is a high stress intense environment, but one that you can succeed in if you are dedicated and apply yourself.


What is it really like flying for the Army?

One of the other guys will have to tell you first hand. From second hand information - it is not necessarily as "comfortable" for lack of a better word as flying for the AF. For example, in the 1st Iraq war, some AF pilots flew their missions out of Italy and got to "come home from the war." An Army pilot is going to be out there with the grunts - either flying support, transport, cover, or recon. You may have to wash your own windows and help care for your bird, things your typical fighter jock wouldn't consider doing.


How often do you deploy and for how long normally and now?

I don't know - but again you'll be deploying with the soldiers on the ground.


What would happen to me if for some reason I did not make it through training?

If you don't make it through WOCS, you're a PFC in the Army, or whatever rank you'll have crossing over. Don't know about if you pass WOCS but not WOFT.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of leaving the Air Force for the Army?

Advantages from some AF pilots I know... lots of job satisfaction and if you're the type that wants a "close to the action" mission, Army Aviation is that.

Disadvantages - AF quality of life is usually somewhat better than other branches.