Cross Commissioning

D

dancing_falcon

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Jul 4, 2016
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It has been a while since I've been on SAF, and wow it's nice to be back. Recently, I received a medical diagnosis that disqualifies me from jumping or flying for the Air Force in any capacity. Flying was one of the main reasons I chose USAFA over USMA when the time came for me to choose. After some further research, I realized that I can fly for the Army with my condition. I've searched through SAF for threads relating to cross commissioning, but I haven't seen anything recent. Before I get any comments about waiting it out a little bit, my family has a history with the Army (I am the first member of my family to not serve in the Army) and cross commissioning has been on my mind for a little while now.

I have two major questions about cross commissioning.
1. Is the "Blue to Green" program still running at USAFA? If so, how does one learn about it?
2. What is the best way to start the discussion about cross commissioning?
 
1. Yes. There will probably be an email callout for people interested.
2. I'd avoid mentioning it to your cadre during BCT, but there's really no "wrong" time to ask about it. If you join the group interested in cross commissioning, then you will be inserted into those discussions accordingly.
 
AFrpaso said:
1. Yes. There will probably be an email callout for people interested.
2. I'd avoid mentioning it to your cadre during BCT, but there's really no "wrong" time to ask about it. If you join the group interested in cross commissioning, then you will be inserted into those discussions accordingly.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should specify, I am currently a 4 deg at USAFA so I've already gone through Basic and know my leadership. Is it best to talk to someone like my AOC or AMT about this?
 
Best of luck to you - DS chose USMA over USAFA; still wants aviation.

It was his choice but my thoughts [kept to myself] were that if a long career is your desire then pilot slot is a must for USAF - not many top brass today that weren't pilots.

That may change in the future with space and UAVs becoming more important but IMHO anything that interferes with a USAF pilot slot is a handicap career wise.

You can do a semester or year at another academy; not sure about inter-SA transfers but another option maybe.
 
Dear Dancing Falcon; I am so sorry. I hate to sound like your mother but really, maybe the situation will resolve itself by the time you are able to select.
Please, don't be discouraged. There are plenty of other jobs in the Air Force too--besides flying a lot of people go into non-flying slots (it is a real issue) (have you thought about med school? ahem).
Maybe you will Go Green in the end--and that will be ok--or go Marine Corps--if you like to do pull ups and run 3 miles.
However, stay the course with your program of study at USAFA--but talk to the officer liaisons or NCO liaisons from the other services--but while you are doing that--think of all of the other exciting jobs in the Air Force that are open to you.

Good luck--and I am sorry that you received this medical news now but at least you have time to plan.
b/w
Dr Mom
 
dancing_falcon said:
It has been a while since I've been on SAF, and wow it's nice to be back. Recently, I received a medical diagnosis that disqualifies me from jumping or flying for the Air Force in any capacity. Flying was one of the main reasons I chose USAFA over USMA when the time came for me to choose. After some further research, I realized that I can fly for the Army with my condition. I've searched through SAF for threads relating to cross commissioning, but I haven't seen anything recent. Before I get any comments about waiting it out a little bit, my family has a history with the Army (I am the first member of my family to not serve in the Army) and cross commissioning has been on my mind for a little while now.

I have two major questions about cross commissioning.
1. Is the "Blue to Green" program still running at USAFA? If so, how does one learn about it?
2. What is the best way to start the discussion about cross commissioning?
Click to expand...
USMA has an Air Force officer on staff responsible for assisting cross commissioning candidates. Likely,USAFA has an Army officer or other staff person responsible for this at USAFA. That would be the place to start.
 
My roommate x commissioned to the Army and the class behind me had 4-6 folks cross commission to the Navy plus the handful that goes USMC each year

There are serving Army officers stationed at USAFA- start talking to them

Your leadership is not going to think more or less of you for exploring all opportunities available to you

My roommate had migraines and was not PQ and that became known his 2C year, so he didn't start the process or even start communicating about it until late 2C year

No matter what someone tells you today, the rules/opportunities may change by the time it matters

I think my roommate had to meet with the Commandant to discuss his career choice goals, but he had a well reasoned thought process and the Commandant endorsed it

He went on to the Rangers

His decision raised the collective IQ of both the Air Force and the Army when he x'd over
 
My son is a 2017 USAFA grad and a buddy of his could not pass the vision part of the AF pilot test. He cross-commissioned the Navy and is in pilot training now. Seems ironic that the standards are less to land on a ship!
 
Usafamom2017 said:
My son is a 2017 USAFA grad and a buddy of his could not pass the vision part of the AF pilot test. He cross-commissioned the Navy and is in pilot training now. Seems ironic that the standards are less to land on a ship!
Click to expand...
Our navy fleet has only gray, black or white ships - not too many colors [emoji4]
 
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