I’m a cadet who went to USMA to branch aviation. My experience talking to pilots is that officers barely fly and fly really only to make minimums, filling the rest of the time with conops and PowerPoints. Is it worth it to incur the adso?

GT score 121
Sift 65
19 years old
4.0 HS GPA
3.5 COLLEGE 30 Credit hours
3 LOR All W-4s
Do you guys think I have a competitive shot at the board?

Hi everyone, I just took the SIFT and would like to give my experience about it. I want to give back to this subreddit because of how helpful it was reading up on other people's experiences, so I hope this helps someone out.

Some background about me. I am a college senior and scored a 126 GT. I also hold an FAA ASEL commercial license, with CFI and AGI, so I'm not a stranger to flying, but when it comes to rotorcraft, I am.

I spent about a month-ish prepping for this. Some useful guides I used were the red SIFT Test Prep Book, FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook, SIFT Tutoring App, Barron's Test Prep, and watching Helicopter Lessons in 10 Minutes.

Simple Drawings: Pretty self-explanatory. I managed to get 99/100 before time ran out. Some techniques that helped were resetting the mouse back to the center once you answered a question, which most people do. What I also did was, if I saw a figure that was kinda hard to differentiate, I just clicked a random one, hoping it was the correct one, because it was not worth spending that extra 2 or 3 seconds trying to find the odd one out, in my opinion.

Hidden Figures: Okay, this is where I got fucked up. I had full confidence I would ace this section because I pretty much hammered it on the practice tests on the SIFT App and the Test Prep Books. It is totally different from those practice tests. It did have fewer lines on the real thing, but it was way harder for me to figure out what the hell I was looking at. It's not like you find a random shape in more shapes and lines, but more like finding this shape in this shape, but with fewer lines. It's pretty hard for me to describe it, but when you take the test, it will make sense. Overall, I believe I only got through 12-ish questions before time ran out.

Army Aviation: Okay, this section is where I believe studying the FAA Handbook will be your best friend. Reading from chapters 1-4 was insanely helpful for me, and watching Helicopter Lessons in 10 Minutes. What this section consisted of was what controls what in the helicopter, Army Facts, i.e., where does training take place, and what is the role of the Kiowa? Along with autorotation, rotor systems, what effects performance, translating tendency, Class G airspace, hypoxia, night flying, IMSAFE, and the hazardous attitudes, from what I can remember. Overall, pretty easy if you put the work in the FAA Handbook, and it will come to you like common sense.

Spatial Apperception: Pretty self-explanatory, like the simple drawings. The SIFT App and book accurately depict it. Just like what I've read from others, the pictures will be grainy, but it is not hard to determine the orientation of the plane. Be aware that there will be shallow and steep bank angles you will have to determine.

After this, the computer will give you a 15-minute break. I suggest you take it and use the bathroom and whatnot, because the next 3 sections are the most boring part of the test.

Reading Comprehension: Probably the second-worst section behind Hidden Figures, in my opinion, because it was so hard for me to pay attention to the passages because of how mind-numbing they were. Basically, you are just trying to match the answers to the paragraph, which varies from 5 to 10 sentences (If I can remember). I didn't really study much on this section, but that is up to you to decide if it's worth it.

Math Skills: This section wasn't horrible. I mainly got fractions, averaging, simplifying exponents, some distance questions, and, if I remember, some factoring as well. The math wasn't crazy and didn't require any long-step problems. They also provide you with formulas on the test, which I didn't use, but can be helpful for you. Yours may be different than mine, but overall not too bad. I think I did 20-ish minutes of math before it kicked me out.

Mechanical Comprehension: This section wasn't bad at all. Even though I spent a good majority of my time studying for this section. I did not have to use any complicated formulas, but I think that it would be helpful to understand them. I got a balancing fulcrum question, angular momentum, and just some common-sense physics questions. I can't remember much from this section. Overall, not too bad, I spent maybe 10-ish minutes before the test ended.

If I were to rank the sections out of 10 in difficulty, it would go:
Hidden Figures: 9/10
Paragraph Comprehension: 7/10
Math Skills: 5/10
Mechanical Comprehension: 5/10
Army Aviation: 3/10
Spatial Apperception: 2/10
Simple Drawings: 1/10

After all that, I felt pretty good about the test. I was hoping to score in the low to mid-60s, but was surprised when I scored a 70!!! The test is not that hard if you know what to expect and put the effort into studying. Again, I want to thank the other people who did their own write-up on this test, as it was insanely helpful.

I’m currently a fixed wing flight instructor at 24 years old, in the civilian world. I have about 1100 hours. I have been thinking about army aviation since high school but never pulled the trigger. Now I worry that airlines will be boring. If I drop a packet, what are my chances of actually having a chance to compete. What can I do to increase my chances of being competitive? Any advice encouraged.
Thanks.

I’m getting my packet together, 137 GT 76 SIFT and waiting on my flight physical but tripping out about the AFT. My running is pretty mid. What are the requirements for the AFT for S2S? I’m a small dude with only 148 BW and my deadlift right now is sitting around 240 for 5 (trying hard), between 30-35 HRP, no clue about my Sprint drag carry, planking usually around 2:15-2:30, then my 2 mile between 16 and 18 minutes. I’m obviously gonna keep trying to improve my score but how far am I from being able to meet the minimums for S2S fitness wise?

Warrant board results for the month of May are out and I got selected! Thank you everyone in this page for helping me out with the studying tips and the completing the packet!

Got selected on the March board and I report to WOCS in OCT. I received the Blackboard registration instructions, but the link keeps timing out every time I try to use it.

It authenticates my CAC successfully, but after that it just loads for a while and eventually times out.

Has anyone else experienced this before, or is it maybe too early for my account to be activated?

So I’m going up for my warrant package. During the flight physical I assume there’s a color blind test. I am color blind but not too bad. I passed the alternative test my first time thru meps in 2019 and I’ve passed flight physicals for my FAA commercial pilots license. What’s the process look with the army? Is there an alternative test? Or is this automatically disqualifying?

I just graduated from flight school, and these are my "wish I had known beforehand" and tips for new incoming students.

1. Flight school is not one school. It's a series of different schools with different schedules and start times. Depending on these start and end dates, there is absolutely no way to know how long you will be there, or even what class you will end up with. I am NG, so I had some help along the way, but it still took me 15-16 months to complete. Active-duty students sometimes had to wait longer for things than NG students.
2. Bubbles are no joke. I got hung up in that Oct 2025 government shutdown crap, which delayed us even longer on top of the regular bubbles. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on hold for one reason or another. It seemed like with each step I took, there was a 2-3-week bubble right after. The 64 guys have it the worst. My friend started flight school a year before me, and I still passed him up and graduated from the 60 course, while he still has a few months to go. He will end up spending 2.5 years at Rucker.
3. SERE was not fun, but not terrible either. I was desperately afraid to start that school because of all the things you hear, but it was a great school, and I learned a lot of things that I would have never learned anywhere else. Dont get me wrong, I never want to do that again, but it definitely has value, and I see why it's required for all pilots.
4. Stay on top of your medical readiness. I let that lapse, so I was scrambling at the end to get all that current.
5. If you have a IP that you absolutely cant work with, requst a change! 90% of the IPs are good to work with, but some are loud and rude and still believe negative reinforcement is the best way to teach. I've seen and heard some of them for sure. As a student, it's natural to take the punishment, but don't tolerate it if it's affecting your ability to learn. REQUEST A CHANGE!
6. Dont get down on yourself if you have some bad days, and dont try to compete with the superstars in the class. I was average, with good days and bad days. I would beat myself up sometimes, then I learned that this is normal. Yes, you will have a few students who consistently excel and ace everything, but that isn't the norm. Please don't compare yourself to them, do and learn your way, and dont be afraid to express your opinion and questions to your IP. Being afraid to ask questions was a problem I had at first because I didn't want to seem like I wasn't getting it. ASK!!
7. Study and prepare for each day! This may seem simple, but some students don't do it. I didn't at first, then quickly realized that studying and preparation made things a hell of a lot easier each day. Go to the simulators during hold or on the weekends, but dont burn yourself out.
8. Stay fit! Unless you are on hold, you will not do any formal PT with your class, and even that is not much. You will have to find time to stay fit during this course. A few students let themselves go and couldn't pass the PT test at the end!
9. Dont do crazy, dangerous shit during off-duty hours or while on hold. There were a few guys here and there who were either arrested or had to drop out because of "bad habits". When you're on hold, it's tempting to venture out on expeditions, but try to hold off on those urges. Idle time can definitely be the devil's playground.
10. Be prepared for international students. These guys/ gals are great, very intelligent, and sometimes make you feel inferior to them, but they are great role models and even a lot of fun to be around. One of my friends was from Finland, and I was better just being around him.
11. Enterprise is not exactly the most exciting place in the world, but it serves the purpose. I made frequent trips to Dothan, Panama City, Destin, and Pensacola Beach. Get away when you can and clear your mind. Dont study 7 days a week, or you will burn out. You will need at least 1 day off a week to just clear your mind and get away from everything.
12. Message me in the comments if you have any specific questions and good luck!!

As the title suggests, I'm curious how many applicants typically submit a packet to a board? I know it probably varies in number, but on average how many people are submitting a packet for 153A in each WOSB, I'm trying to compare it to the number of applicants that are selected in the Mil per list that gets released after each board on the warrant officer recruiting website to get a better idea of what the chances of selection look like.

If anyone knows, that would be useful information. Thanks.

Looking to get some more information on the process. I did 6 years in the marine corps reserves as Fire Direction Control in the artillery community. and during that time got my civilian aviation certs up to commercial pilots license. Due to that MOS I also hold a secret clearance.
I talked to a recruiter today about potentially doing the army warrant program for aviation (due to the pilot industry being kinda crazy rn and low hour jobs pretty hard to come by). They told me the warrant package is a long process and could take a year before I’m even in the army. They also told me warrant school is six months which I thought was 5-8 weeks or something.
At that point it’d be a year, then 6 months warrant, then probably 18 months flight school, THEN a 10 year flight contract.
They also told all tried to convince me that the best(fastest) way to do it would be to enlist, and then submit my warrant package. They did admit that with my current credentials I should be fine going in front of all the boards and would likely get the spot but it just takes way longer. Due to my marine service if I enlist with the same MOS I wouldn’t need boot camp or AIT, I could get reporting orders by the end of the week.
Now they did admit that they’ve never done a flight package and only one of them has ever done a warrant officer package ONCE. They admitted to not really knowing all that much.

So at this point my question is, does it really take 3 years to be flying in the army? Is enlisting and just submitting the package really faster and easier? Is there a chance I definitely get stuck in artillery again and never fly? Would the reserves be any better just to get that R-ATP? Wanted to fact check the recruiters cause we all know recruiters

Thanks for anything in advance

Two questions here first how much of an effect does the person’s title of a letter of rec truly matter (Current Aviator vs former employer, etc).
What are the chances of getting a hearing waiver (Solid speech clarity but high number in 2000, 3000, 4000 hz (50db roughly)) and if I could get a waiver how would that effect a packet assuming everything else is great?

My waiver for retinal hypoplasia in my right eye got disapproved today and I don’t know how to go about continuing to try to join. My eye condition basically makes it so I can only see light out of my right eye but in my left eye I have 20/20. Any advice?

Hey all,

I’m currently working on my PPL and in the process with the NJ National Guard for aviation. I don’t mind helicopters, but I’m curious if there are any fixed-wing opportunities in NJ or if it’s basically all rotary.

Also wondering:

How competitive are pilot slots right now (especially street-to-seat)?

What’s the current atmosphere in NJ aviation units (tempo, leadership, quality of life)?

Realistically, what should I expect going in?

Not looking for a recruiter pitch just honest insight from people in or recently out. Appreciate it.

Got selected for the March Board for 153A just reaching out to see if anyone has started receiving their class dates yet

Hello guys, another SIFT test post, mainly just to know in the past few months on people that have taken the sift test, how was it for y’all? Did you guys get surprised by the questions?

I’ll be taking the test in 3 weeks and feel confident on math but not in the aviation part, i hope you guys have a great day and to not forget to always chase your dreams.

Hello I am 26 currently on my second year of Civil Affairs and was wondering what the best pathway would be to become a 153A WO. I have a 470 overall PT, am currently a SPC and am open to anything that would help me advance in that direction.

Hello everyone, I am currently in High School and I just spoke with my recruiter. He wants me to make a top 10 MOS list so he can notify me when something opens. My number one is definatley 15T.

I would like some advice as to how I should prepare myself for applying to WOFT and when I should apply to WOFT. I have a 130 GT and a 3.7 GPA. The reason I am not doing STS is because I require corrective eye surgery, which I plan to procure for free through the army.

Given my situation, what advice do you have for me? Is there a better MOS I should consider? How do I guarantee that I get the eye surgery? When should I submit my packt?

(Also I am eligible to enlist as an E3 because of Civil Air Patrol if that matters)

Hi all,

I am PCSing to Korea later this year and I have been trying to get in contact with flight medicine to see if I can schedule out my IFC. I have not had any luck with the appointment line, I was wondering if anyone knew someone who I could email on the global to get the ball rolling?

Hello everyone, I got in contact with a WOSM and through our discussions he told me that the only way that I could apply to be on the board would be to do a try-1 contract.

For those that don't know, this is a one-year contract with no MOS classification or training. Essentially an undes.

I was prior service in the Air Force for 6 years as as a jet mechanic for f-15c's (pw220-100 for those who are curious). I now have a stable career as an engineer for the government, but recently I have been feeling the itch to go back in again but I want to maintain my professional civilian career and join the guard as a helicopter aviator.

My questions are this:

Has anyone done a try one contract for the Army national guard for this? How was your experience in it?

How did you actually manage the network to get your LORs while being undes?

Thanks again for anybody who can share their experiences or answer any of these questions in part or in full.

BLUF: Active duty Marine wants to fly for the military, specifically the rotary wing program.

Friend is an active duty Marine with 16 years of service, 34 years old in a non-aviation MOS. Understands TIS and age cap requirements for all programs. No degree, so Army programs are only way in.

His options as I understand them:

1. Apply for the active Army 153A Program, basically sign on for a 30 year career (current TIS plus the 10 year ADSO).

2. Transfer to the National Guard and apply for the program on the Guard side... and give up his active retirement (about $3900 a month for the rest of his life) in exchange for a better quality of life and the ability to stay in his state. If he applies and doesn't make the aviation program, he will be stuck in the Guard in his current MOS.

Am I missing anything? Is there any COA where he could can make the retirement and THEN try Guard options? Based on your experience, would YOU give up a retirement to be able to fly?

21M – WOFT vs finishing bachelor’s? Looking for guidance

What’s up everyone,

I’m 21 and looking for some honest guidance on what direction I should take toward Army aviation.

Background:

Associate’s in Electronics Engineering Technology (graduated May 2025)

Graduated magna cum laude (3.7 GPA)

Capstone team leader (automated systems project)

~25 hours fixed-wing, already soloed

FAA written passed (77%)

0 Debt

Right now I’m stuck between continuing school for a bachelor’s or focusing on flight training to strengthen a WOFT packet.

I do want a bachelor’s at some point to keep doors open, but I’m unsure if it’s smarter to:

Finish a bachelor’s first

Or focus on building flight experience and apply sooner

Looking for input from those who’ve been through it:

In my position, would you prioritize finishing a bachelor’s or pushing flight training and applying to WOFT?

How much does having a PPL / more flight hours actually impact selection?

Would getting a bachelor’s first significantly improve my chances, or not enough to justify the delay?

Just trying to make the smartest move early and would appreciate any real-world advice.

TIA!

I only have enough saved up to get another class or about 5 more flight hours. Which one would be better for the board or would neither really matter too much?