Best Job in the US Army--Warrant Officer Pilot

by Alex A. Kecskes

One of the best jobs in the Army is a Warrant Officer pilot. In this job and rank, you’ll become an expert in Army aviation. That means you’ll learn to fly and instruct others how to fly and maintain aircraft—typically helicopters.

After being accepted for Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS), you’ll first need to go through the nine-week Basic Combat Training (BCT) course as an Enlisted Soldier. Complete that and you can attend WOCS. Graduate and you’ll be a CWO.

After you’re promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2), you’ll be commissioned much like regular Army officers. But unlike regular officers, you’ll be considered a specialist--mostly in aviation. It’s one reason why warrant officers are known as the "technical and tactical" leaders in the Army.

Roughly half of the 7,214 warrant officers in the Army National Guard fly choppers. The challenges you’ll face as an aviation CWO2 include keeping up with the changing technology in aviation and weaponry, and having to deploy on a moment’s notice. Flight missions vary from ferrying troops and supplies to direct combat support.

National Guard Warrant Officers are given 96 hours flying time a year, which is what regular active Army chopper pilots get. If you’re already a chopper pilot, you can earn your instructor pilot certification for Black Hawk helicopters in 8 weeks. If you want to fly the AH-64 Apache, you'll have to undergo similar extensive training, especially if you expect to fly the new Apache Long Bow.

For complete qualifications and CWO entrance requirements, check out this GoArmy site.

For an additional perspective, check out this video:

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