I graduated USNA a year ago, selected Naval Aviation and am currently in flight school. I’ve realized I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life and that I should have selected Marine Aviation. I know of the inter service transfer process but I was wondering if anyone had any insight to how it works with flight contracts? I am under the impression I have to wing first and then go to the FRS where I can put in the paperwork to be transferred but I’m not sure how the rest works out. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Aviation Inter-service Transfer
- Thread starter swimgirl
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usmagirl118
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I am an applicant c/o2025. Just curious to know what are some of the factors that made you rethink your decision if shareable on forum?
Absolutely! Long story medium I was a pretty ****ty plebe and tried to get away with a lot, I didn’t like the strict nature of the O-3 marines at school and refused to have anything to do with the Marine Corps. Fast forward to the ASTB minimum scores changing while I was studying abroad spring 2/C year and Marine Aviation became the only one I was qualified for to fly. So I decided to trade my Aviation Cruise for Leatherneck (the marine training) and I surprised myself with how much I loved it. By this time is the fall of firstie year, I retook the ASTB and passed with flying colors (so now back to being qualified both navy and USMC) and I had a big decision to make: stick with what you’ve always thought you wanted and what you’re comfortable with or try this shiny new thing you seem to like. I elected to stay in my comfort zone and don’t get me wrong- I’ve greatly enjoyed my time as a Navy type. But something a lot of people have told me is to take a close look at who you associate with and what friends you keep and that should help you decide which community you fit in better with. Well most of my friends happen to be Marines. For a while I tried to tell myself I wanted to be a Marine Aviator, not a Marine who flies (if that makes any sense) but I realized now being in flight school that maybe it’s not all about flying for me. I have always thought the Marine air platforms were more interesting to me but used the excuse that I wasn’t ready to be a Marine. Now I feel that I am. Marines definitely do seem to hold themselves to a higher standard and I tend to get along better with them vs my navy peers. Hope this helps! DM me with any other questions! And good luck!
WT Door
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@swimgirl, a more direct source would be the aviation detailer at PERS-43. Google Navy Personnel Command, find your detailer and talk with them on the phone. They can cut to the chase and provide you the information you need. One possible dilemma (there are probably more) I see in a potential transfer is that all Marines go through TBS before heading to Pensacola. But first things first. Contact your detailer. They can explain the contract situation, the pros and cons, and answer if an inter-service transfer is even possible now given the needs of the Navy. Use this invaluable resource. Good luck.
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What stage are you in?
Step one should be talking to the senior Marine in your squadron. Half the battle is getting accepted by the Marine Corps, but also half is getting released by the Navy. In the past, you would swap services, continue flight school, wing and then attend TBS prior to reporting to the FRS.
Be prepared to take a PFT/CFT and crush it, and be prepared to explain why you want to make the change without putting down one of the services. I.e., not "I want to be a Marine" not "I don't like the Navy."
Be prepared for a "no" as well. To Big Navy/USMC, SNAs are numbers and not really people. You've been counted as a Navy bean, and they may be reluctant to let you go based on their manning numbers.
Also be careful about assuming the grass is greener. I love being a Marine Aviator, but the quality of life and demands are different from USMC to USN. Flight school is representative in some ways of the USMC culture, but in others is a pretty idealized version. Swapping to USMC has implications not just for platforms and deployments, but also for B-Billets and career timing.
Ask your Marine IPs what they liked/didn't like about their communities. Keep in mind that, frankly, the Marine Corps generally does not send it's rising stars to flight school as IPs. There are great Officers and great people there but think critically about what they say. The fleet also probably looks a lot more fun a year or so in the rearview mirror.
Step one should be talking to the senior Marine in your squadron. Half the battle is getting accepted by the Marine Corps, but also half is getting released by the Navy. In the past, you would swap services, continue flight school, wing and then attend TBS prior to reporting to the FRS.
Be prepared to take a PFT/CFT and crush it, and be prepared to explain why you want to make the change without putting down one of the services. I.e., not "I want to be a Marine" not "I don't like the Navy."
Be prepared for a "no" as well. To Big Navy/USMC, SNAs are numbers and not really people. You've been counted as a Navy bean, and they may be reluctant to let you go based on their manning numbers.
Also be careful about assuming the grass is greener. I love being a Marine Aviator, but the quality of life and demands are different from USMC to USN. Flight school is representative in some ways of the USMC culture, but in others is a pretty idealized version. Swapping to USMC has implications not just for platforms and deployments, but also for B-Billets and career timing.
Ask your Marine IPs what they liked/didn't like about their communities. Keep in mind that, frankly, the Marine Corps generally does not send it's rising stars to flight school as IPs. There are great Officers and great people there but think critically about what they say. The fleet also probably looks a lot more fun a year or so in the rearview mirror.
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This was an impressive summary of a very complicated decision making process.Absolutely! Long story medium I was a pretty ****ty plebe and tried to get away with a lot, I didn’t like the strict nature of the O-3 marines at school and refused to have anything to do with the Marine Corps. Fast forward to the ASTB minimum scores changing while I was studying abroad spring 2/C year and Marine Aviation became the only one I was qualified for to fly. So I decided to trade my Aviation Cruise for Leatherneck (the marine training) and I surprised myself with how much I loved it. By this time is the fall of firstie year, I retook the ASTB and passed with flying colors (so now back to being qualified both navy and USMC) and I had a big decision to make: stick with what you’ve always thought you wanted and what you’re comfortable with or try this shiny new thing you seem to like. I elected to stay in my comfort zone and don’t get me wrong- I’ve greatly enjoyed my time as a Navy type. But something a lot of people have told me is to take a close look at who you associate with and what friends you keep and that should help you decide which community you fit in better with. Well most of my friends happen to be Marines. For a while I tried to tell myself I wanted to be a Marine Aviator, not a Marine who flies (if that makes any sense) but I realized now being in flight school that maybe it’s not all about flying for me. I have always thought the Marine air platforms were more interesting to me but used the excuse that I wasn’t ready to be a Marine. Now I feel that I am. Marines definitely do seem to hold themselves to a higher standard and I tend to get along better with them vs my navy peers. Hope this helps! DM me with any other questions! And good luck!
Best of luck to you in your Marine career.