[roses of sharon]

Thank goodness my son has so far turned out the opposite of these protesters, with all that comes after him in the media and teen culture.

He is 16 and dreams of flying helicopters, lol, scary.

He says he wants to join the AF, does anyone know if that is the best service to join to fly? Would he have to attend an academy? Be an Officer to fly?

I haven’t begun to look into it yet, and was hoping to learn where to begin.

Thanks to anyone who has some answers!

[squidly]

The Army is his best bet of becoming a helicopter pilot.

But the AF generally treats you better.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

He is 16 and dreams of flying helicopters, lol, scary.
He says he wants to join the AF, does anyone know if that is the best service to join to fly? Would he have to attend an academy? Be an Officer to fly?

Can't fly helicopters in the Air Force, Army and Navy only, possibly Marines. The Army is the best opportunity to fly helos, but they get funny on downsizing pilots. Every so many years they get rid of too many and then have to train more again meaning there are times when they don't need any. It's hit or miss.

Academies and ROTC are great but not required to fly or be an officer in any service. But it helps. The first general requirement for officers training is a Bachelors degree. For the most part one has to be an officer to fly.

What service offers the best opportunities to fly? There you're going to deal with opinions and information that changes constantly.

[RTO]

USAF is for Whimps ;)... Join the MARINES. When it positively absolutely has to be destroyed overnight! USMC... we fly too. Hoorah!

[USAFJeeper]

THe Air Force. We only deploy if it has a Howard Johnson there with room service, and a golf course. But, to fly helos you gotta go Army, Marines, even Navy. Very few helo pilots in USAF.

[Vor Lady]

If your son wants to fly helos, the AF doesn't have many. If he just wants to fly, the AF has the most types of air frames.

To be a pilot or a navigator in the AF one has to be an officer. Go to college and join ROTC or finish college and go to OTS. Or if he's got time he can apply to the Academy and go to college there. A minumun of a BS/BA is required for commissioning.

There are flying jobs for enlisted in the AF and probably the other services. I only know about the AF.

[FlatLandBeer]

If your son is serious about flying he should check out the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program in your area. There he will learn leadership, aerospace, and if he wants emergency services. part of the program is to get the cadets in to the air on orientation rides both power aircraft and gliders. It a good resume builder for college.

Check out the following link http://www.cap.gov

What state do you live?