Documenting the road to Army Aviation and becoming a Pilot.

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  • Опубліковано 28 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 78

  • @commercialpilot54
    @commercialpilot54 2 місяці тому +2

    My son just got to Novosel this week and waiting to start WOCS next week. Thanks for putting this stuff out there! He's following the dream!

  • @benlima3076
    @benlima3076 7 місяців тому +1

    Your videos have been a great help to me over the past year and a half. Last week I found out that I was selected by my state's guard unit to become an Army Aviator! It has been very encouraging to me to follow your story and see your passion and motivation as you have gone through the process. It was a long road for me to get selected and I know I have an exciting and challenging road ahead!

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  7 місяців тому

      Yes dude! I'm happy for you. Beautiful news and exciting times. Soak it in. Congratulations

  • @RickinaLeShaye
    @RickinaLeShaye 6 місяців тому +1

    Goodluck on your journey! You seem like a very humble leader and person in general. It’s admirable that you mention your faith in your videos and the power of prayer. I can’t wait to watch future videos on your journey. I watched your videos to get insight on WOCS to look into a tech WO.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  6 місяців тому +1

      Kind of you to say, I have to give credit where it's due or where it's appropriate. Christ has helped me, His timing was on. Glad you got some value out of my stuff on here. Wish you the best in your journey as well. 🤝

  • @fullysent8202
    @fullysent8202 2 місяці тому +1

    Just about to get started in the process going “street to seat”. Seems like finding LORs will be one of the main challenges other than passing my ASVAB/ SIFT; any recommendations for someone in my shoes? Coming from being an A&P mechanic as a civilian 🛠️💪

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  Місяць тому +1

      Just get on the phone with as many folks as you can. Be prepared to give your justification to them when you get the chance and just take action. Build a network by calling around! Good luck

  • @georgedemeris
    @georgedemeris 8 місяців тому +2

    I found your videos and started my stuff about a month or so behind you back when you kicked off too. Just got back from camping, common core starts hopefully in a few weeks. You offered a great method to follow. Hopefully I see you down here soon! Stay safe.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому +1

      I hope you're well fed and rested brotha! Welcome back. I will see you on the flight line for sure. Enjoy your time for now and be excited. It's a fun challenge.

  • @Detroiter166
    @Detroiter166 7 місяців тому +1

    My packet is at the board this week for Warrant Aviator. Wrapping up college along with having already earned my civilian fixed wing commercial multi engine and single engine licenses! Will be hearing within the next couple of weeks if I've been selected. It's been a LONG process but feels great to have gotten this far. Hopefully I will be able to get down to Alabama and begin my own military career!

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  6 місяців тому

      I'd be surprised if you didn't get positive news with what you wrote here. How'd it go!?

  • @kawikacavanh9964
    @kawikacavanh9964 8 місяців тому +1

    Happy Bday Ordie

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому +1

      LOVE THIS. IYAOYAS 💣 🔥 🤙 🤝

  • @alexandermilam8193
    @alexandermilam8193 8 місяців тому +2

    What’s up guys, Alex here. Current civilian commercial pilot working on my CFI eventual ATP. Grandaddy was a fighter pilot, flew F-86 in Korea, F-4 Phantom over Vietnam, B-52 and KC-10 instructor, uncle was a C-130 navigator for Desert Storm then went to Pentagon after making Colonel. I was all set up for Naval Aviation in 2021 (aced the OAR, ASTB, all LORs from military pilots) Covid screwed me and put me over the age limit. Considering Army aviation if I can get fixed wing (Have lots of rotorcraft experience but not a helicopter guy), during my trials I found the NOAA (Hurricane Hunters), all fixed wing. They fly Twin Otters, King Airs, have a Gulfstream G-IV and two P-3s, switching to C-130s soon. It’s the smallest of the uniformed services so hard to get selected but NO AGE LIMIT!! Already have a degree but just finished another year of additional college for environmental science as they require no less than 48 STEM credits. Going to put in an application after I earn around 1,000 hours to make myself competitive as they have a good amount of prior service aviators to compete with. If any of you have a degree, 48 STEM creds and don’t mind flying into hurricanes, may want to check them out.

  • @nmmoore92
    @nmmoore92 2 місяці тому +1

    I'm about 4 hours away from Ft. Novosel, I'm just starting the recruiting process and 153A is my top choice. Can I come out and meet you one weekend and pick your brain on the process?

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  Місяць тому +1

      As much as I'd like to I'm just a regular family guy in the middle of training with limited time. Maybe we could coordinate a phone call as you get further down the process. Let me know and I wish you the best of luck. Go get it.

  • @yeahnuld
    @yeahnuld 8 місяців тому +1

    Starting WOCS in a few months, I hope I get to see you there and thank you, your videos helped me out a ton. I'm so excited to be doing all this it doesn't even feel real!

  • @realpolicetalk
    @realpolicetalk 8 місяців тому +1

    Great channel I'm happy i discovered it

  • @jakeL8150
    @jakeL8150 6 місяців тому +1

    Hey, all. Completely new to military life and the ins-and-outs. Never been in, but looking to join. I recently left pharmacy school to become an aviator. It’s my true passion. I’ve always wanted to fly and figured it would be something I would do in the future after retiring or something, but I’ve been influenced by my girlfriend’s family. 2 commercial pilots, her dad was in AF for 40 years and was a flight engineer. Her brother is training on the F-35 soon. All of them have influenced my path and opened my eyes to realizing my potential of following my passion. Still unsure of which branch to go through and I know I may need a medical waver for an arrhythmia that has since been taken care of surgically, but I still believe in myself against the odds. Luckily my cardiologist is a flight surgeon at Luke AFB and he’s said I’ll be good to go. I’ll be following you for advice. Best of luck.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  6 місяців тому

      Good luck to you as well. Glad the medical stuff is getting worked out and you've got good mentors in that area. Thanks for checking in. Love hearing about others going for it. 👍

  • @HNS-007
    @HNS-007 3 місяці тому +1

    Hey dude, I took the Sift about a year ago, started working remote again but now looking to return to the process , any recommendations?

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  2 місяці тому

      @HNS-007 just take action, go get it if it's what you want. Good luck 🇺🇸🤝

  • @KeithKellyOfficial
    @KeithKellyOfficial 6 місяців тому +1

    So I have a few questions. One being, when does the three year active duty obligation start? Is it as soon as you enlist or after woft? Is the flight school full time no matter what for that 18 months? And, can we live off base in an apartment? Im trying to joing as a street to seat candidate.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  4 місяці тому

      There's a 10 year obligation for any branch you decide to fly with. It starts upon graduation of flight school. Flight school is full time but there are definitely breaks throughout the training. I'm on one right now and am heading home and relaxing and all of that.

  • @NasserGonzalez-n2d
    @NasserGonzalez-n2d 2 місяці тому +1

    If you had the option, would you go for Army aviation, or marine aviation? I’m 25 years old, I’m currently torn between the two! I’m getting my WOFT package together

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  Місяць тому

      It depends if you want to be a Marine or not. That's pretty much it. Both have pros and cons. Age cutoff for the Corps is 28 and Army is 32. ADSOs are the same.

  • @Spice-_-
    @Spice-_- 2 місяці тому +1

    Do you think that this aviation in the marine corps includes a good career path in the civilian world?

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  2 місяці тому

      @Spice-_- absolutely. It's given me a great life and opportunities

  • @superfamilyallosauridae6505
    @superfamilyallosauridae6505 8 місяців тому +1

    "Every day has been a resounding confirmation that I did the right thing"
    I know exactly what that means, and how rare that is. I'm going to submit when my USMCR contract ends.

  • @alexandermilam8193
    @alexandermilam8193 8 місяців тому +3

    May not be military but it’s still in service to this country. Check out FBI (mostly helos), DEA (only require a PPL) and the CIA (lots of cool, spooky shit). Currently have an open application for pilot to the CIA but typically takes 1-2 years to hear back if they want you.

  • @mason-storm
    @mason-storm 8 місяців тому +1

    Keep it up!

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому +1

      Love you brother.

    • @mason-storm
      @mason-storm 8 місяців тому +1

      @@merrittorius, love you too. Proud of you!

  • @RT413
    @RT413 6 місяців тому +1

    Great videos Mike! What airframe and duty station you trying to get?

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  6 місяців тому +1

      I'm guard so I'll most likely be flying Blackhawks. We will see.

    • @RT413
      @RT413 6 місяців тому +1

      @@merrittorius great! I'm in the instrument phase of 60, hopefully see you there

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  6 місяців тому

      @RT413 I'd estimate we will see each other around Lowe soon 🤝

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  6 місяців тому

      Hope you're enjoying it and doing well

  • @Robdujovne
    @Robdujovne 8 місяців тому +1

    Just passed my asvab and sift. Waiting for my flight physical then my board is in July. Still debating on either going army aviation or civilian flight school… hardest decision of my life lol

    • @hisawesome1856
      @hisawesome1856 8 місяців тому

      Still waiting on my flight physical to get back from FT Novosel! Did mine in Early March

    • @rafaelcarazo4768
      @rafaelcarazo4768 8 місяців тому

      Military, that’s a lot of flight hours!

    • @10oner
      @10oner 8 місяців тому

      Ft rucker

    • @10oner
      @10oner 8 місяців тому

      Military barely flies anymore

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому +1

      I'm at flight school with multiple guys from the airlines who wanted something more than that. It depends on your personality. I'm definitely the type that would want to fly military over the airlines, but I'm as confident as a guy can be in what makes them tick. If you know what im saying by that. Say your prayers if you're into that.

  • @Nasa741
    @Nasa741 8 місяців тому +3

    I took my asvab today I got a 99 with a 139 gt, it doesn’t feel real yet. If I match this on the sift I should be selected.

  • @sleetysquid117
    @sleetysquid117 8 місяців тому +1

    I take my SIFT in a week, any tips for getting a good score? Or any tips on getting the actual packet together? Some of those forms seem like a real pain in the butt. Great vid, you're inspirational man

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому +1

      Thank you. I've got some other vids on the SIFT that I recorded right after I took mine.

    • @sleetysquid117
      @sleetysquid117 8 місяців тому

      I got a 69, time build that packet 😤​@@merrittorius

  • @nolanshepherd5036
    @nolanshepherd5036 8 місяців тому +2

    Thats my old House!

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому

      Which one? The one I'm sitting in!? 🤣

    • @nolanshepherd5036
      @nolanshepherd5036 8 місяців тому +1

      The one behind you!

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому

      @@nolanshepherd5036 that's awesome. We're loving it here.

  • @jovanni_orb5116
    @jovanni_orb5116 7 місяців тому +1

    Looking for advice. Prior service marine corps going to basic in July. I am 35 very soon 36. Then AIT for 25s. I am very interested in being a pilot. I am just worried about making a bad career move at my age. I also have a lot of college and could qualify for green to gold.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  7 місяців тому +1

      I know what drives me and what I like. The 10 years for pilots doesnt scare me and now that I'm actually flying I can say without any doubt this was the right choice for me.

    • @jovanni_orb5116
      @jovanni_orb5116 7 місяців тому

      @@merrittorius the 10 years seems like a highlight. I want to make 20 years. The 10 plus two for training and my enlistment time will get me two years away from full retirement but is a guaranteed reserve retirement with my 6 years in the reserves.

  • @jovanni_orb5116
    @jovanni_orb5116 7 місяців тому +1

    I am having trouble deciding warrant or commission officer? Some many pros and cons. I have a wife and kids that support me so it is up to me to decide what path to take.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  6 місяців тому +1

      It's more about your personality type. The vast majority of folks who have families in my "flight" are warrants. If that helps...

  • @christiangarcia9247
    @christiangarcia9247 8 місяців тому +1

    I want in. I’m correcting my vision with LASIK and having reconstructive surgery to undo the mistake of stretching my earlobes. I’m confident in my ability to do well on the GT portion of the ASVAB and the SIFT test, but figuring out how I can advertise myself in pursuit of letters of recommendation has been proving a bit more challenging. Any advice for someone looking to drop a WOFT packet as a non-prior service and how they can land better LOR’s? How can I get in contact with current or retired Army Aviators and open a dialogue?

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому +1

      Keep asking around, try and call units, talk to recruiters, get creative. They're very aware of the need of LORs and will most likely be receptive and empathetic to you requesting it.

    • @ryand4533
      @ryand4533 8 місяців тому

      Will they not let you serve if you have stretched earlobes??

    • @christiangarcia9247
      @christiangarcia9247 8 місяців тому

      @@ryand4533 not beyond a certain threshold, which I’m beyond. But I welcome the change, it’s not a part of who I am anymore.

  • @Facelessstuff
    @Facelessstuff 8 місяців тому

    Which bird are you shooting for?

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому +1

      Probably the Blackhawk.

    • @Facelessstuff
      @Facelessstuff 8 місяців тому

      @@merrittorius awesome! Did you have any disability from the military when you went back in? They are telling me that I might not be able to go back in because of my rating.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому

      @@Facelessstuff I did. It wasn't a big issue from what I remember

    • @Facelessstuff
      @Facelessstuff 8 місяців тому

      @@merrittorius copy, I got 90% and one was mental health so that’s what they are saying. Do you mind saying what your percentage was? Or what it was for?

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  8 місяців тому

      @Facelessstuff physical stuff. 20 percent. Probably a little different. The whole mental health stigma is crazy. I don't know what all of it entails. Apparently everyone in aviation has zero mental health issues 😉 (we all have issues) Get a good recruiter, do a TON of research about anything they might question. There's a waiver for just about everything.

  • @alexandermilam8193
    @alexandermilam8193 8 місяців тому

    Btw congrats on getting selected as an “old man.” Where are you in the training pipeline at the moment? I was Marine Corps ROTC and “guaranteed” aviation until I turned 28 then all of a sudden I was “too old.” One foot in the grave at 28 lol… If I had made Naval Aviator my callsign would have surely been “Gramps.” I would have gladly taken it. Given their retention rates across the board, they will probably up the age limit again within the next few years. Air Force studies have shown that older guys are more competent pilots anyway.

    • @merrittorius
      @merrittorius  7 місяців тому +1

      Appreciate your perspective and insight into additional avenues. Hate that you aged out of the Marine opportunity. Ya, I'm ancient at 38 😏 I'm loving the Army. Hope you find what you want dude.