How to Become a U.S. Military Chopper Pilot

All four military services and the U.S. Coast Guard make extensive use of helicopters for a variety of missions, including supply operations, reconnaissance, search and rescue, troop transport, close air support and medical evacuation. The vast majority of helicopter pilots are either commissioned officers or warrant officers. Each service first selects individuals who can pass the demanding requirements for becoming an officer or warrant officer, and then these individuals attend an aviation school within one of the services.

• 1

  Contact a recruiter or military career counselor. Depending on the needs of the service, you may be able to get an enlistment contract that guarantees you a chance to attend officers candidate school or aviation school.

• 2

  Pass the flight physical. These physical examinations, which qualify you for flight duty, are more rigorous than the usual standards for admission to the United States military. Your recruiter can arrange for you to take the flight physical at the local military entrance processing station or military hospital, or contract with private health care providers for it.

• 3

  Accumulate the necessary college credits. Generally, the military services require a 4-year degree prior to commissioning you as an officer, though commissioning as a warrant officer may require less stringent academic qualifications, depending on the needs of the service.

• 4

  Complete a commissioning school, such as ROTC, a service academy such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, or one of the service's officer candidate schools. Alternatively, you can apply for the service's warrant officer program. These are typically open to select non-commissioned officers who have proven themselves in their service in the military's enlistment ranks.

• 5

  Complete flight training at one of the service aviation schools, such as the U.S. Army Aviation School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, which also hosts helicopter training for the U.S. Air Force, or Naval Air Station Pensacola. Each service sponsors its own flight training, specific to the aircraft that meet the needs of that particular branch of service. You will typically incur an additional service obligation when you complete flight school.