Planning to become an Army Aviator? Army will own you for 10 years

New aviators to incur 10-year service obligation

By Thomas Brading, Army News Service

Starting in October, commissioned and warrant officers selected for initial entry flight training will be required to serve at least a decade once they become an Army aviator, according to an all Army activity message published Aug. 12.

The new policy doesn’t include Soldiers currently in training, said Chief Warrant Officer 5 William S. Kearns, aviation and officer policy integrator for the Army’s G-1 office. “We’re looking at troops selected for flight training in the fiscal year 2021 and beyond.”

The change comes as the cost and requirements for aircraft have increased across the board, Kearns said.

“There are many complexities in these advanced helicopters, which translates to increased costs in flight hours, maintenance, and training requirements,” Kearns said. “They require more time for people to gain experience. There’s the technical expertise that goes along with it as well. In the end, it’s the Army getting a good return on the investments.”

These investments set the Army apart from all the branches, he said. For example, it’s the only service that allows people to go into flight training with only a high school degree. “You don’t have to have a college degree to apply or be accepted into it,” he said.

The policy also applies to Army Reserve and National Guard components, but their obligated service will remain part-time, he said. “The service obligation begins on the date an officer attains an aeronautical rating of Army aviator or is removed from attendance, whichever is earlier.”

Before Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy signed a memorandum for the change in June, the Army had bumped up its incentive pay for aviators in January. The pay raise was the first in two decades to help balance pilot numbers at all ranks and stay competitive with the civilian market.