Army WO vs Air Force Rescue Pilot
Hello all inter-service Air Force guy here looking to get more insight.
BLUF: I want to be a helicopter pilot and ideally fly rescue/medevac missions (however not opposed to fix-wing or any other type of mission sets)
I recently just found out a couple weeks ago about the army WO aviation program and the fact that I can even apply as interservice... as the title suggests I'm looking to get some insight from both sides to try and determine which route would be the better opportunity.
I'm currently aircrew in the AF flying aeromedical evacuation (hence why I'm leaning towards rescue/medevac), 25 yo, E-5 w 6 yrs TIS. My original plan before finding out about the WO program was to finish out my school (@40 credits T-T) and apply for OTS at a chance for a rescue pilot slot, I feel I'd have a pretty high likelihood of getting accepted going this route as I currently have a 4.0 gpa, strong evaluation reports (one with a stratification), couple decs, great PT history, PME award (Levitow), slotted for flight instructor in my current job and following this trajectory, on track for flight evaluator in a couple years which I think would make me decently competitive.
I know with the WO route not having a completed degree wouldn't be a limiting factor as opposed to AF pilot so I could potentially be getting my foot in the door 2-3 years sooner. Additionally WO are SMEs so in theory I would be flying more because I wouldn't have to deal with the additional management/leadership roles you inevitably have to take as you make rank as E or O... however in doing research it seems like army aviators have a hard time actually flying and remaining proficient cuz that's not really the army's priority I guess. There's also the overall QoL dip from going blue to green but tbh I don't really care about that if it helps me get closer to my goal. The biggest thing that's kinda off putting to me is the flying piece (the whole reason I want to do the job in the first place) I don't imagine in the AF that would be an issue since 1. flying is kinda the whole premise of the branch and 2. rescue pilots are tier 2 assets supporting the PJ mission so not only would that mean more training for proficiency aka flying, would also actually probably be a better QoL outside of the mission cuz you're in the SW realm, haven't personally spoken to any rescue guys tho so can't say for sure.
I've already started talking to an army warrant recruiter and working getting a conditional release upon selection so I'm just waiting for that, also started studying for the sift in the meantime. I'm a don't put all your eggs in one basket kinda guy so still working towards both goals currently but would love to hear about your perspectives and experiences to try and gain some more insight as to if it would be better to 1. take the route that I could potentially get into years sooner but also potentially fly less? or 2. go the longer route but possibly be flying more/ potential better QoL.. what would you choose? & why? expectation management or just anything you'd have wished somebody told you!
If you made it to the end thanks & if you dropped a comment thanks ++