It's Official: Flight School Begins March 22nd!

I got an exciting phone call today. I'm starting Army flight school on March 22nd. After all the months of training: BCT, WOCS, BOLC, DUNKER, SERE-C ... 3 years and 3 applications ... 3 years of college ... a whole bunch of letters of recommendations, physical training, and a pilot's license for airplanes and helicopters, and I finally am starting. Too exciting. :) 

My airframe of choice. :)

In approximately one year from now, I'll be graduating Army flight school. Approximately one year from now, I'll be making my advanced airframe selection. As of right now, my goal is to fly this bad boy: the AH-64D Apache. I really would love flying Black Hawks, Kiowas, or Chinooks, but I can always transfer to one of those in the future if I go National Guard. Might as well go with the most technologically advanced airframe -- it'll future proof my job when the military starts downsizing over the next few years. 

Working the General’s Breakfast. “Sir, would you like cream in your coffee?” :|

Just a few more months till Army flight school…

Army PT

Today, I had my first PT session as an officer here at B Co. 1/145th. Ummmm... All I have to say is, "I'm getting paid to do this?" Basically, everyone jokes around & acts like a complete jackass for an hour. Anyway. Some time in the next week I should be getting my updated flight physical completed, complete the swim test, and finally complete DUNKER -- and I can't wait. :) Until then, just hanging out getting paid at home. Great use of government dollars, Uncle Sugar... great use. 

The airfield here is busy as always. Just a few more months and that'll be me! :)

America's newest helicopter pilots in training. :)

I just finished graduating WOCS, Class 11-25, last week. ::huge sigh of relief:: Here's our class video; it's a small taste of what I went through these past 7 weeks. Enjoy. :) 

U.S. Army's Soldier's Creed

I am an American Soldier.

I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.

45 seconds till I take another sip of water. 180 minutes till my Sigma 50mm prime arrives. 8 hours till my friends stop by for portraits. 2 days till Abby gets back. 7 weeks till BCT in Missouri. 4.5 months till WOCS in Alabama. 2 years till I get my wings pinned. As you can see, my priorities in life are short and simple. Just the way I like it. 

The Dotted Line

Today, after nearly nine hours of paperwork, I am officially contracted under MOS 09W Warrant Officer Candidate for the U.S. Army. I am going to flight school.

BCT @ Fort Leonard Wood, MO In-Processing: May 24 - May 30 Basic Combat Training: May 31 - August 5 WOCS @ Fort Rucker, AL Moving In: August 6 - August 10 Warrant Officer Candidate School: August 11 - October 1 Upon graduation, I will receive orders for flight school (IERW/BWS/FSXXI).

The results are in... I was selected for U.S. Army Warrant Officer Flight Training.

I can't believe it. I've applied three times over the past two years and got the call from my recruiter this afternoon that I'm going to WOCS. This is seriously a dream come true. Wednesday, I'm spending the night in Chicago. Thursday morning, I'm making the super early MEPS trip to sign my MOS 09W contract. My contract will state when and where I will attend Basic Combat Training, as well as when I attend Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker. I will not be given flight training dates until I graduate. The beginning of long journey awaits me; the doors of opportunity are wide open. I am grateful to God, first and foremost, for this opportunity. My family has been entirely supportive of me throughout this entire process and I cannot thank them enough for their patience. Finally, I am thankful for the two Brigadier Generals, the Lieutenant Colonel, my professors and school teachers, and mentors for writing me the letters of recommendation that helped get me selected.