If my son fails to qualify for WOFT, is he locked in to service?

Question

My son has come up to me and told me of his interest in joining the Army out of high school, he will be a junior this fall, to try to fly Apaches. He assured me that he wasn't locked in if he didn't qualify, but I'm just not sure. Also, he is 77 inches tall, too tall to fly jets, but can he still fly for the Army? Anyone with experience, please help because the Go Army website is so vague, thank you.

Answer 1

PK's info was right, but there is one thing I would add.  If your son wants to fly anything, he will have to get a four year degree first. Of course, he can enlist and work on his degree and apply for OCS or he can go to college and do ROTC.  But without a degree, he is ineligable to be an officer and only officer's fly.  

Answer 2

You are correct that he needs a four year degree to fly in the: Air Force, Navy or Marines.  Army has three programs for flying:

1) High School-to-Flight school, this is primarily reserved for over achieving college students.  It also requires a congressional reference also.

2) WOFT-Warrant Officer Flight Training program-enlistment into the program which requires a min. score of 110 (GT) portion of the ASVAB, passing the AFAST 90 or greater (Aviation Flight Aptitude Test), Flight Physical etc.

3) OCS Officer-does require 90 college credits, not guaranteed to fly however.

I'm currently applying for WOFT.  I am a college grad and commercial pilot.  Feel free to ask questions.  

Answer 3

You do not need a four year degree to go to WOC School and the army flight program. You cant swing a cat on Ft Rucker without hitting a high school to flight school/ street to seat kid.

If you're already in the Army the paper work you fill out basically says that upon being accepted into the program you will owe the Army 6 years pass or fail, because even if you fail your came from an MOS and can be sent back, and after completing flight training you have a 6 year commitment.

As far as the street to seat guys, the ones that are in my class told me that because they have no other Army job to fall back on, they would be discharged if they could not complete the program for some reason.

If you're looking at the web site and have questions or are confused about the wording, just click on the "contact us" link and send them an email...its why they're there.

Answer 4

I don't think that height in itself precludes one from flying all aircraft so let's set that aside.

To answer the real question, nothing he does prior to graduation locks him into any contract, even if he signs one.

As for joining, he can't unless he's got parental consent at 17.  You say he's a Junior, that's why I point that out.  He does have the option to join this summer and go to Basic Training but again, that requires consent and he would have to actually report for shipping.  Again, if he signed yesterday, was supposed to ship tomorrow and didn't show, nothing would happen.  Except of course p**s of his recruiter.

I say ensure you both are willing to follow through before making this decision.  Don't abuse set systems because you can, only use them if necessary.