Pros/Cons of Infanty Off. vs. Aviation Off.

[Quiksilver]

Will be joining the Army in 3 years, just going through the motions in university right now. As such I'm looking into joining as an officer.

After a lot of digging and research I want to serve in either the Infantry or Aviation(Pilot, more specifically, rotary wing).

The thing is, I can't decide between the two. There are goods/bads to both of them and since I'm not in the Army right now, I thought it might help to have an opinion of someone with more experience than I have.

What are some pros/cons of each job?

cheers

p.s. Just for reference, I'll likely be joining the Australian army, though I do have the option of joining the Canadian army instead.

 

[der_Master]

Hey man glad to hear. I’m thinking about doing the same thing. I am currently in second Year University and thinking about joining the Canadian army reserve. Anyway Canada has a small army but trains its soldiers much better than the US however our helicopters are not nearly as good. I dont know much about the Australian army but it is probably very similar to the Canadian Forces. As for infantry or pilot, I would suggest becoming a pilot, more fun, lean how to fly and imo gain better experience. Myself I was thinking more towards the navy, like small costal patrol ships. Anyway good luck to you whatever option you chose.

 

[tun_tavern07]

Well first I would say your making a good choice by going into the military which ever country you choose. I am in the second year of a university in an ROTC program and will be going into the Marine Corps. Now while I cannot vouch ofr the quote of Canadian officerss being trained better than Americans, but I would suggest ground because of the physical demands it has. You will be able many different jobs and always be in on the action. Either one, good luck.

 

[der_Master]

Oh sorry about that tun_tavern07 its just a pride thing we have up here in Canada. We have to say something good about Canada's armed forces and we don’t have better equipment so what else can we say other than US army> Canadian army in every way. Sorry, no disrespect.


edit: Well being in the Marine Corps flying a Cobra helicopter would be amazing, and you have to be in good shape no matter what branch of the US forces you are in.

 

[Marc 1]

IIRC (years ago) If you intend going through Duntroon, you can be streamed as an aviation cadet - this means provided you graduate (and there is no special favours because you are an avo) you will go to Australian Army Aviation Corps as a junior officer to do your flight training. The other way to do things is to enter Duntroon in the GSO stream and then nominate to be tested for the aviation aptitude testing, then fight amongst your classmates for one of the few positions available (no-where near as good odds wise as being preselected as an aviation cadet). If you miss out on getting aviation, go to another corpsof your choice, keep your nose clean and you may be able to apply to do non-corps flying (if it's still available). To do that say an Infantry Lt would go do flying training, and serve a couple of years with an aviation regiment (but still wear an Infantry or RAR corp badge), then go back to their original unit. Often what would happen is the non corp pilot would transfer to Aviation, thus getting in the back door. I have a mate who has just returned from Afg, who graduated as an Engineer, then switched to be an Avo, he's now a major flying Chinooks.

 

[Twister]

Becoming a helo pilot will be advantage after retirement. But in battle field, as infrantry will be better.

 

[Abraham Gubler]

What are some pros/cons of each job?

Marc's given a good run down of the entry process. But as to what the jobs are like? Well the helicopter pilot job is a lot more technical and while you're trained and practiced in living in the bush and land warfare operations the job is still very much focused around flying and fighting a helicopter. ARH pilots start off as the pilot and then qualify as the battle caption (operating the weapons but also able to fly). Black hawk and Chinook start off as co-pilot and then qualify as the pilot. If you want to get a good idea what the job of an ARH crew is like check out Apace: The Man, The Machine, The Mission by Ed Macy.

Infantry officers on the other hand spend a lot of time managing their soldiers (starting at the platoon level) and living in the field conducting infantry operations. This is mostly training for patrolling and close combat.

The difference between the jobs at a junior level could be summed up as aviation: more technical, more short duration very high intensity operations and infantry: more man management and more long duration medium intensity operations, with brief moments of very high intensity.

If you want a headstart on the career and a better understanding of Army life you should join the reserves now and serve while at uni.

 

[Marc 1]

If you want a headstart on the career and a better understanding of Army life you should join the reserves now and serve while at uni.

Good call. Try a "gap year" - contact your local recruiting centre for an explanation 13 19 01.