Transferring

Jayceguy

Jayceguy
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Sep 11, 2013
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318
So I was talking to an Air Force Lt. Col. the other day. He started out as a missileer but wanted to fly. He was about to switch and commission into the navy after his service commitment with the AF but he received a pilot slot. As someone who is very possibly going to WP but wants to fly jets, is it possible to do 5 years in the army and then move to the air force and receive a flying position? And if so, would I keep the rank and years of service that I had in the army? Thanks.

P.S. Please spare me the priorities lecture. I can handle myself. And I'm still waiting on an AFA appointment so I might not even have to worry about this, but would appreciate the information.

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Well since you "know how to handle yourself" I'll keep it short. Does the AF seem like it is so desperately short jet jockies that it needs to troll for Army officers? You have just a slightly better chance than you do winning the Powerball jackpot- It's lousy odds. If you get into USMA and really want to be in the AF- Don't go, or else learn to love the Army because that is the service you are going into.
 
So I was talking to an Air Force Lt. Col. the other day. He started out as a missileer but wanted to fly. He was about to switch and commission into the navy after his service commitment with the AF but he received a pilot slot. As someone who is very possibly going to WP but wants to fly jets, is it possible to do 5 years in the army and then move to the air force and receive a flying position? And if so, would I keep the rank and years of service that I had in the army? Thanks.

P.S. Please spare me the priorities lecture. I can handle myself. And I'm still waiting on an AFA appointment so I might not even have to worry about this, but would appreciate the information.

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If you can handle yourself, then google the question... because the information is out there.

P.S. When I want to spare you, I will make that decision on my own.
 
LITS: Not sure if that last part was a joke or not but I laughed. I did google it and all I could find was stuff on the blue to green program. As I don't want to go from AF to army, rather the opposite of that, I couldn't find anything pertaining to me. Thus I asked the most informational source since "The Physicians Desk Reference" for help.

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LITS: Not sure if that last part was a joke or not but I laughed. I did google it and all I could find was stuff on the blue to green program. As I don't want to go from AF to army, rather the opposite of that, I couldn't find anything pertaining to me. Thus I asked the most informational source since "The Physicians Desk Reference" for help.

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I found this via Google: http://www.airforce.com/contact-us/faq/prior-service/#transition-other-branch.
 
LITS: Not sure if that last part was a joke or not but I laughed. I did google it and all I could find was stuff on the blue to green program. As I don't want to go from AF to army, rather the opposite of that, I couldn't find anything pertaining to me. Thus I asked the most informational source since "The Physicians Desk Reference" for help.

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If you couldn't find the information on the internet, it should have been an indicator. Sometimes, lack of information or activity is a good indicator.

Anything's possible, there are cross commission after graduation, I think several of my classmates cross commissioned into Navy and Air Force, When I was at my Infantry Officer Basic Course, had two Air Force Academy graduates in my class - something along the line of no flying slot, so they decided to come to Army.

What do you want to fly? Does helicopters count? Army does have some fixing wing platforms for commissioned officers. Would you be okay with flying C17? AF wants to purchase couple thousand F 35s, not likely, my guess is there will be less and less human pilots and more and more UAS.
 
Well yes, in a perfect world I would be flying an f-something. I feel like I'd be happy going army, but I was just wondering what would happen if I still did want to fly. I also thought that the lack of info was a good indicator of the answer, as you said.
 
Melitzrank: Thanks for the link. Not sure how I missed it.

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Couple of things to think about Jayceguy... the services are downsizing. Things like cross-commissioning and programs to move services will get even harder. They were harder before, they will be even smaller or not exist going forward. 5-10 years from now, could change again. Also, if you go Army and decide to fly you would have to serve your commitment first. Not sure on the Army commitment for pilots, but probably 8-10 years. You would be a Major more than likely by then and starting over at that point would not be very desirable. Not sure if you would retain your rank, but if you did, you would then be a Major going through flight school with LTs. If you started over you would be a 2ndLt at 30-32 if not older. You might even need a waiver at that point. Follow the advice given on here... really think about what you want. If your goal is to fly jets, Army is not the place to go.
 
Until internet search engines can read our mind, need to focus your search.

First the law,

10 USC 541 - Graduates of the United States Military, Naval, and Air Force Academies

(b) With the consent of the Secretary of the military department administering the Academy from which the cadet or midshipman is to be graduated, and of the Secretary of the military department having jurisdiction over the armed force for which that graduate stated his preference, the graduate is entitled to be accepted for appointment in that armed force. However, not more than 121/2 percent of any graduating class at an Academy may be appointed in armed forces not under the jurisdiction of the military department administering that Academy.

I think the "121/2" is 12.5. But it's "not more than"

If I remember correctly, it was one for one, so for a West Point cadet to be commissioned into Air Force, there was an Air Force cadet that wanted to be commissioned into Army. So, unless things have changed a lot I am sure there are more West Point cadets that want to be commissioned into Air Force or Navy, than the other way.

Second,

Army Regulation 614-120 Interservice Transfer of Army Commissioned Officers on the Active Duty List

Some key points from the regulation

Officers will be transferred only within the authorized strength limitations of the gaining Uniformed Service.

No Army officer will be approved for an interservice transfer until all service obligations incurred under the provision of AR 350-100 and AR 351-3have been completed.

Transfers are subject to concurrence of both the gaining and losing Uniformed Services.
 
I see. I'll keep hoping for another appointment, but in the case that one doesn't come, I better brush up on my helo knowledge! I'm amazed at how much info you guys give. Google and I must not get along very well.

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I'll defer to members of the US Army but I have some recollection that Army helos are generally flown primarily (if not exclusively) by Warrant Officers, not commissioned officers.

If your desire in life is to be a pilot, you'd be better off at USAFA or USNA. However, even at those schools, there is no guarantee of earning a pilot slot -- it would depend on aptitude, medical qualificaton and, most importantly, class standing.

I've had a couple of candidates over the years who went to an SA that wasn't their first choice b/c they didn't get into their first choice. It has almost always ended badly in that the person was miserable. In some cases, they stuck it out and in some they didn't. But it didn't end well.

All SAs are terrific institutions but not every SA is right for every candidate -- nor are the service options in each right for everyone. It's fine to say, "I want to serve and will do it wherever." But be sure you really mean that. IMHO, saying that you want to serve but really don't want to do so in the Army (or Navy, or Air Force or Coast Guard, etc.) does not indicate a lack of patriotism. It's simply reality.

If you don't get into USNA or USAFA, you might consider entering USN or USAF through a different accession source (e.g., OCS).
 
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From what I've seen, in the Coast Guard, when it DID happen, transfers resulted in a reduction in rank for the pilots, typically one or two pay grades (so an O-4 going to O-2)... that's a HUGE pay cut.
 
I'll say!

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I'll defer to members of the US Army but I have some recollection that Army helos are generally flown primarily (if not exclusively) by Warrant Officers, not commissioned officers.

If your desire in life is to be a pilot, you'd be better off at USAFA or USNA. However, even at those schools, there is no guarantee of earning a pilot slot -- it would depend on aptitude, medical qualificaton and, most importantly, class standing.

It's a full circle, as to why do you want to attend a SA and serve in the military? If your primary desire is just to fly, SA and/or military might not be the best route. It will get you there as many military pilots become airline pilots. However, there is a time lag and price your pay for serving in the military.

Yes in the Army, helos are "generally" flown primarily by warrant officers, but a helicopter units have platoon leaders, company commanders, and battalion commanders that are commissioned officers that fly. I am sure at certain point in their careers, pilots in Navy and Air Force serve in none flying position. I believe all Army aviation officers are required to maintain their flight proficiency until certain time/rank. I could be wrong, but I believe after reaching a certain bench mark, Army aviation officer get aviation pay regardless of their flight status

Warrant Officers are "commissioned" also.
 
USNA pilots definitely serve in non-flying positions. They're called "shore tours." :smile: Although some of these can involve flying, such as TPS or training squadrons.

In fairness, I think the OP said he wanted to fly jets, which was why I focused on the USN and USAF. Do agree that, if simply flying is the OP's desire, there are other avenues to that goal that may be better than a SA.
 
USMA grads do fly army helo's; I know one very well and I know a young lady at USMA, Class of '14, that has been selected for aviation and heads to Ft Rucker after graduation.

That being said...the vast majority of army pilots are warrants.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
There's a difference between flying a 737 over Nebraska and an f-15 at mach 2 over the Persian gulf :D, my goal is not simply to fly, rather to push the limits of our aircraft and to use them as weapons against the enemy. So in conclusion, I do not simply wish to fly.

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There's a difference between flying a 737 over Nebraska and an f-15 at mach 2 over the Persian gulf :D, my goal is not simply to fly, rather to push the limits of our aircraft and to use them as weapons against the enemy. So in conclusion, I do not simply wish to fly.

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Not to be that guy, but once you get into flight training you'll probably "simply wish to fly."

Also, I think flying helicopters in direct support of ground troops is pretty cool but that's just me...
 
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