Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/27/2004

Question
I'm quite a shy guy ( but shy does not mean ineffective ). I'm focussed and diligent and would really love to fly helicopters in the army as a Warrant Officer. I have to be honest I dont come across as the most confident in the world but I stress I'm not ineffective nor useless. I can acheive when I want to. I'm sure I could pass physically and technically to be an Army Aviation Warrant but do you think I've any chance at all in the leadership side of things. I understand they look for 'presence', 'confidence' etc etc but some of the most self confident people I know are well full of bovine....
Any advice greatfully received
Thanks in anticipation for your time

Doug

Answer
Dear Doug --

Many shy cadets go to West Point and become effective leaders.  Loud arrogance does not equate to confidence and leadership in the eyes of most of the officers and NCOs that will evaluate you.  So, if you really want to be an Aviation Warrant -- go for it.  

The hard part for you, will be insisting the recruiters put aviation warrant criteria in your enlistment packet.  If your aptitude battery (ASVAB) scores are as good as you expect them to be, they will want to recruit you (shy or not).  However, if they think you lack confidence, they may try to bully you into filling a gap they have, rather than finding you the slot you want.

But, you will have to do well at basic training to keep the opportunity to go to warrant school.  Then you will have to do well at warrant school to keep the right to go to flight school.  What I mean by that is, there are at least three gates you must pass, and pass with high evaluations, just to be allowed to attend flight school.  Then, to be allowed to fly, you must pass flight school.  If you drop the ball at any point, you will still owe the Army your agreed upon enlistment time.  Before you sign any contract, be sure you are willing to serve your country, in the Army, in even the worst specialty that you can imagine.  Because that worst case could happen.

Now, if you are still sure you want to take the plunge and try for Aviation Warrant, you might want to invest in an adventure leadership training course.  Programs like Outward Bound and a few others, will let you grow your physical and technical confidence into an overall confidence.  That will allow you to meet your new military evaluators with a shy confidence, rather than a shy withdrawal.  Small steps like that now, could really help you in your future.

I wish you all the best.  Please write back, if you have any further questions.