Above the Best

Leading the Army's air power. Aviation Officers plan, direct, and coordinate flight operations for transport, attack, and reconnaissance aircraft.

The 15R AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Repairer maintains the Army's premier attack helicopter platform.

Maintenance of the Army's heavy lift platform. Chinook Repairers maintain and repair the CH-47 airframes and systems.

Remotely pilot the MQ-1C Grey Eagle UAS for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes.

Remotely pilot the RQ-7 Shadow UAS providing real-time intelligence to ground forces.

The pinnacle of enlisted Aviation leadership. 15Zs serve as production control NCOICs and first sergeants.

Junior enlisted Aviation Soldiers begin on the flight line learning hands-on maintenance under the supervision of experienced NCOs and warrant officers. Expect long hours on the hangar floor, learning technical manuals, and building proficiency on your assigned airframe. Promotion to SPC/E-4 typically occurs within 2-3 years.

This is the time to earn your Crew Chief wings, pursue additional certifications, and build the technical foundation that will define your Aviation career. Aviation MOS qualifies soldiers for FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification — start tracking your hours early.

• PVT (E-1) to PV2 (E-2): 6 months — apprentice mechanic, basic tasks under supervision
• PFC (E-3): 12 months TIS — proficient maintainer, pre-flight/post-flight qualified
• SPC (E-4): 24 months TIS — Crew Chief qualified, mentor to new soldiers
• Pursue Air Assault and Airborne qualification early
• Begin tracking maintenance hours toward FAA A&P certification
• Build technical competence for competitive promotion to SGT

Aviation NCOs are the backbone of maintenance operations. Sergeants (E-5) lead maintenance sections and serve as Technical Inspectors, while Staff Sergeants (E-6) manage production control and serve as section leaders responsible for aircraft readiness. Aviation demands both leadership ability and deep technical knowledge.

Completion of BLC is required for E-5, ALC for E-6. Aviation Maintenance Technician Course (AMTC) and advanced airframe-specific courses significantly improve promotion potential and technical credibility.

• SGT (E-5): Section Sergeant / Technical Inspector — quality assurance on maintenance tasks
• SSG (E-6): Production Control / Platoon Sergeant — manages maintenance workflow and readiness
• BLC required for SGT, ALC for SSG promotion
• Technical Inspector (TI) certification is a career-defining qualification
• Pursue advanced airframe courses and instructor duty
• Strong NCOER evaluations and readiness metrics drive promotion

Senior Aviation NCOs represent the most experienced maintainers and leaders in the branch. Sergeants First Class (E-7) serve as aviation maintenance technicians and platoon sergeants, Master Sergeants/First Sergeants (E-8) lead at company level, and Sergeants Major/Command Sergeants Major (E-9) serve at battalion, brigade, and higher as the senior enlisted advisor for all aviation operations.

These positions are highly competitive and board-selected. A record of high aircraft readiness rates, advanced school completion, and consistent top-block evaluations are essential for selection.

• SFC (E-7): Aviation Maintenance Technician — senior technical authority for maintenance operations
• MSG/1SG (E-8): First Sergeant or Operations NCOIC — company-level senior enlisted
• SGM/CSM (E-9): Command Sergeant Major — BN/BDE senior enlisted advisor
• Senior Leader Course (SLC) required for E-7 promotion
• Sergeants Major Academy for E-9 selection
• Aviation Safety Course and instructor duty build competitive records

Aviation offers a unique career path found in no other branch: the Warrant Officer Flight Training (WOFT) program. Enlisted Aviation Soldiers — and even civilians through the "Street-to-Seat" program — can apply to become Army helicopter pilots without a college degree. This is the only commissioning-equivalent path in the military that does not require a bachelor's degree.

WOFT is approximately 18 months of intensive flight training at Fort Novosel, progressing from the TH-67 trainer through advanced airframe qualification in Apache, Black Hawk, or Chinook. Warrant Officer Aviators serve as the Army's primary helicopter pilots and technical aviation experts throughout their career.

• WOCS: 5 weeks of Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Novosel
• IERW: Initial Entry Rotary Wing — primary flight training and instrument qualification
• Advanced airframe track: AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, or CH-47 Chinook
• Street-to-Seat: civilians can apply directly — no prior military service required
• Prior enlisted maintainers have a significant advantage in the selection process
• Career progression: WO1 → CW2 → CW3 → CW4 → CW5 (Master Aviator)