You are here:
- Home
- News/Issues
- U.S. Military
- Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard
- Becoming a Helicopter Pilot
Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Becoming a Helicopter Pilot
Advertisement
Question
A close friend is looking at the options of enlisting in either Coast Guard or Air Force with desires of becoming a helicopter pilot. Is this a reality if you enlist? Recruiters sometimes tell you what you want to hear and that makes me nervous so I am asking anybody and everyone I know who is in the military if this is a possibly OR...do you really need to go in as an officer and then go to flight training? This young man is very ambitious but I don't know if he wants to wait thru 4 years of college and then join the Military. Also, how long does it normally take to move up in rank and become an officier?
Anything can become reality if you make it so. In the air force you can become a pilot, they ahve Helo pilots and will train but you have to be a fix wing pilot first I think. All pilots in the Air Force are trained by Embry Riddle Aeronautical College. To climb the ranks, it takes time in grade time in service and job knowledge.
The money is good, but like in any job, you must invest your time & effort.
HW
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Howard Lorenz
Expertise
I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.
Experience
Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years
Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.