What is a good college/degree to get in order to become a helicopter pilot in the army?
July 22, 2010 by
Filed under online college degree
Hi, I am a junior in highschool, and have high hopes of becoming a helicopter pilot for the military. No particular branch, just as long as I get to fly. What would be a good college to go to and a what kind of degree to get and in what?
You should really talk to a recruiter. Alot of times if you are going into the military in a specific field they will pay for all of your college expenses as well as give you a nice sign on bonus. That would be your best bet.
West Point comes to mind.
So does the Air Force Academy.
Otherwise, find a school with both an Aviation Institute and a ROTC program. If you go into the military after college, might as well be an officer.
Consider Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Core). Army ROTC schools can guarantee you a flight spot with the USANG (United States Army National Guard), Army Active or Army Reserve. They also offer 2, 3 and 4 year scholarships. Therefore you get the officer training you need, graduate college with a degree in anything you choose, and get guaranteed a flight school slot. Not a bad idea. So you go to college for 4 years, 1 weekend out of the month you go to an FTX (Field Training Exercise). 3 Days out of the week you’re in the Gym or at the Quadrangle doing PT at 6:00AM. Between Junior and Senior year you go to LDAC which is a 33 day camp designed to determine whether or not you are suitable to be a United States Army Officer. After completing this camp and graduating college, you become a 2nd Lieutenant, pay grade O-1. (same as Annapolis, West Point, Air Force Academy, and Coast Guard academy graduate) The money is good, the experience is better, and the training is irreplaceable. You can do this at alot of schools around the country with no commitment for freshman and sophomore year. After the 2 years you can either contract or drop out of the program, but nothing will be held on your record against you as you were never an asset to any military service if you do decide to drop out. Not too sure on Navy ROTC, the only thing im sure about with Navy ROTC is that Navy ROTC cadets don’t usually get flight school spots as almost 70% of cadets at Annapolis are there to become pilots. Army Flight school gives about 50% of flight spots to West Point graduates and 50% to ROTC. So you’re better bet is going with the Army. Plus The Army is badass. Look up what school you can go to under ROTC, apply, and once youre enrolled and accepted all you need to do is speak to the head of Military Science at that school and he will enroll you and you will have made the greatest decision in your aviation career. It’s alot more difficult than enlisted peons and West Point guys make it seem. Another perk among the many is you will NEVER have to go through that hellshop they call Basic Training. Look up what schools host it and get on it, you will never regret it. GOOD LUCK.