Military Pilots
Flight Training Routes
Air Force
Active Duty and Reserves
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MINIMUM EDUCATION- Bachelor’s degree.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of theory of flight, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures and mission tactics.
Completion of Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.
Completion of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).
Additional requirements specific to specialty.
Completion of Officer Training School (OTS), Air Force Academy (AFA) or Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC).
Must have begun pilot training between the ages of 18 and 33.
For pilot and aircrew positions, height specifications vary by aircraft and most applicants can successfully pursue a career in aviation with the U.S. Air Force. Applicants who are significantly taller or shorter than average may require special screening to ensure they can safely perform operational duties. Applicants of all heights are encouraged to apply.
Army
Active Duty and Reserves
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Aviation Warrant Officers, also called Army Pilots, are an elite force of highly-trained and skilled aviation experts in the Army. They fly some of the most exciting, technologically-advanced aircraft in the world and lead a wide range of aviation missions. If you dream of flying helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft as an Aviation Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer Flight School is where you can reach your highest ambitions.
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Warrant Officer Flight School is a six-week training program open to those with a high school diploma or its equivalent. In fact, the Army is the only service that allows you to go into flight training without a college degree, earning the program its nickname "high school to flight school".
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SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Qualified Aviation Warrant Officer candidates must:
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Be a citizen of the United States
Be between 18-32 years old at the time of entry (some exceptions apply to 17 year-old applicants)
Achieve a qualifying score on the Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT)
Earn a minimum of 110 General Technical (GT) score on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Obtain a secret security clearance
Meet the Army's screening height and weight standards and pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
Take a physical exam and meet entry medical fitness standards
Complete a physical examination and have results approved by Flight Surgeons at Fort Rucker, Alabama
SERVICE OBLIGATIONS
There is a 10-year service obligation after you complete Warrant Officer Flight Training. If you do not complete Warrant Officer Candidate School, you will still be obligated to complete the remainder of your original service obligation as an enlisted Soldier.
Navy
Navy Pilots and Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) are important components in an exclusive, world-class group of Officers. This job will require you to perform at the best of your ability at all times. Making use of your advanced training and unparalleled knowledge to provide the utmost safety and security in the world’s skies.
As a Pilot, you may:
Take part in antisubmarine warfare and mine countermeasures, as well as search and rescue operations and vertical replenishment missions.
Receive specialized training on the advanced tactical systems found on Navy aircraft.
Project aviation power in fighter and attack, reconnaissance, and sea control missions launching from aircraft carriers or surface combatants.
Conduct enemy surveillance by collecting photographic intelligence.
As an NFO, you may:
Study aerodynamics, aircraft engine systems, meteorology, navigation, flight planning and flight safety.
Train and specialize in EA-18G Growler electronic countermeasures aircraft, E-2C Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft, or the new P-8A Poseidon antisubmarine aircraft.
Electronically detect and track ships, submarines, aircraft and missiles.
Qualifications and Requirements
A four-year degree is required to work as a Navy Pilot or Naval Flight Officer. Candidates seeking an Officer position in this community must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a technical field.
All candidates must also be U.S. citizens, willing to serve worldwide and qualified for sea duty.
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard (ANG) operates within all 50 states of the country, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
Each wing of the Air Guard has exclusive aircraft or aircraft that gets shared with a unit of the U.S. Air Force.
Consequently, the Air National Guard needs highly trained and skilled pilots like the regular Air Force branch.
The U.S. Air Guard has requirements you need to meet to qualify to become a pilot.
Pilot training slots in the Air Guard are not easy to earn as the program is competitive.
Generally speaking, the Air Guard only opens a couple of slots every year for prospective pilots from each unit.
The U.S. ANG has the following minimum requirements for Undergraduate Pilot Training, or UPT:
Between the ages of 17-30.
A citizen of the United States.
Received a 4-year college degree or at least 90 credit hours completed.
Pass a medical exam that confirms you are in good overall health.
Possess upstanding moral character.
Capable of obtaining a Top Secret military clearance.
While it is not mandatory that you have previous flying experience, it will go a long way in helping you get accepted to the competitive training program.
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There are only a couple of available slots every year in each unit, so having a private pilot’s license will definitely give you a ‘leg up’ on the competition.
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It’s also important to make sure you have a college degree (or 90 completed credit hours) before getting sent to Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) for officer commissioning.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard aviation community consists of approximately 800 pilots and an enlisted workforce of approximately 2,500. Together, these pilots and aircrews fly 5 types of aircraft in the Coast Guard’s inventory, representing 200 airframes dispersed among 24 Air Stations. The DCA program is designed to meet aviation needs by seeking trained and qualified commissioned military pilots from other services to access into the Coast Guard. In Fiscal Year 2017, applicants with fixed wing experience will be especially desired. Direct commissioned aviators, although they receive training on Coast Guard specific aircraft, typically require less training than Coast Guard pilots who originate internally and apply to CG flight school. Pilots who meet eligibility criteria and successfully compete for selection can fully expect a career as a Coast Guard aviator.
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DCA Eligibility Requirements:
Age: Have reached your 21st but not your 35th birthday as of 30 September of the fiscal year in which the selection Panel convenes.
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen
Clearance: Must be eligible for a Secret Clearance
Dependency:
If single, may not have sole or primary legal or physical custody of dependents.
May not have more than 3 dependents (your spouse is considered your dependent, regardless of military status).
Education:
Have a baccalaureate or higher degree or
Receive the ACE recommended score on the five general CLEP exams (i.e. English Composition, Humanities, Natural Science, College Mathematics, Social Science/History) or
Have one year of college (30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) and have completed at least one college-level mathematics course, or receive the ACE recommended score on the College Mathematics CLEP exam.
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Border Patrol
In order to be eligible for employment with the CBP, applicants must:
Be a U.S. Citizen.
Have a valid driver's license.
Have resided in the U.S. for the last 3 years.
Be eligible to carry a firearm.
Referred for selection prior to your 40th birthday (waiver for veterans' preference eligible or those that have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement position).
Be willing to travel; you will be required to travel frequently. This job may require extended domestic and foreign Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments.
Pass the application process (see details below).
Common Disqualifiers
You may be rated unsuitable for the Air Interdiction Agent position if your background includes:
Use of illegal drugs, and/or the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. Convictions (including misdemeanor domestic violence charges)
Intentional harboring or concealment of an illegal alien