USMC Helo pilot to USAF Fixed Wing

[Snake_Driver]

I'm currently a USMC Capt flying AH-1Z's stationed at Camp Pendleton. I've got 1000 hrs and 2 deployments (1 to AFG, 1 to Oki with a MEU) done, and I'm looking at what else is available for me to do. So, I'm looking to see what my chances of transfering into the USAF as a pilot are, who I should talk to about it, and any idea of what it would entail.

Additionally, how exactly would aircraft selection/training go? Coming from a Skid background (and just like everyone else I know) I'd like to fly the A-10 (or some other fighter), although I would look into any fixed wing. I actually did JSUPT at Vance and flew the T-6, although I don't think that would have any effect on a transitioning process.

So, to wrap it up; the the USAF pilot shortage I keep reading about, what would my chances be of actually transitioning to the air force, and then getting to fly fixed wing.

I'm obviously new to the board, so thanks for any help before hand!

[matmacwc]

ANG, and search function.

[Swanee]

... Traitor...

[Fast_N_Low135]

Good luck flying A-10s

[JTAC]

Why the move? Flying AH-1Zs sounds freaking awesome. Unless it's a lifestyle change, it seems like it'd be hard to beat what you're doing now.

ANG A-10s may be your best bet, but yeah...minimal squadrons are left and RUMINT has them fading fast.

[JarheadBoom]

Not sure how often he's here anymore, but Kuma here in the forum is a former Snake driver. He'd probably be of some help in your quest.

[HiFlyer]

I ran across this in the OTS BOT Handbook...maybe it will help.

"1.1.3. Commissioned officers from sister services, reserves, and guard interested in Active Duty as an Air Force Line Officer should visit the Air Force Contact Center Website for the latest in inter-service transfer information (website: AFPC Top Page). If needed, they may contact Recall/Inter-service Transfers at AFPC (210) 565-2068/2288 or DSN 665-2068/2288 or email afpc.recall.ops@randolph.af.mil."

Edited September 9, 2013 by HiFlyer

[Cameltactics]

If OP is still sifting for answers on this:

If memory serves, Madison 115th FW has a former Army skid pilot who now fly's vipers. Come to think of it, with all the snow they get it might still be considered a skid squadron.... Would be worth calling there and asking if your still looking for answers.

Yutt Yutt

[Seamus]

I'm an E-2C Hawkeye pilot, currently in a nonflying duty as an ROTC instructor and want to fly fighters for the Air Force.  The two main things I think that are against me are coming from a non-fighter background and I am 32 years old.  I do have over 1100 hours and 100 hours in the T-45 Goshawk.  I also have a Masters in Business Admin (I know, big deal, but hey) and was number one coming out of my fleet squadron.  Anybody know what my chances are of getting picked up by ANG or AD Air Force for a fighter slot?  I started pursuing the ANG angle near where I am currently and it seems possible but hard to do.  Anybody have an opinion or someone with experience who has done this?

[aero.dave13]

Yeah I'm just curious if there's any development on this as I'm kind of in the same boat.  Commissioned Army, qualified in UH/HH-60 Ls and Ms, however with just 350 hours.  The Army treats O-grade aviators as liabilities for the most part, I'm lucky if I get two flights a month, and I'm pretty sick of that lifestyle quite frankly.  If anyone is still on here and has had developments with lat transfer for aviators the feedback would be much appreciated.

[Helopilot]

On ‎9‎/‎26‎/‎2016 at 4:23 PM, aero.dave13 said:

Yeah I'm just curious if there's any development on this as I'm kind of in the same boat.  Commissioned Army, qualified in UH/HH-60 Ls and Ms, however with just 350 hours.  The Army treats O-grade aviators as liabilities for the most part, I'm lucky if I get two flights a month, and I'm pretty sick of that lifestyle quite frankly.  If anyone is still on here and has had developments with lat transfer for aviators the feedback would be much appreciated.

It is possible, you just need to get hired by a squadron.  As an army guy, you will have to go through UPT if you want to fly anything besides helos.

[bb17]

The AFRC squadron I got hired by has a former marine helo pilot. I don't know anything about the process other than to say it is possible based on the limited sample size. 

Edited September 30, 2016 by bb17

[DUSTOFFer]

On September 26, 2016 at 4:23 PM, aero.dave13 said:

Yeah I'm just curious if there's any development on this as I'm kind of in the same boat.  Commissioned Army, qualified in UH/HH-60 Ls and Ms, however with just 350 hours.  The Army treats O-grade aviators as liabilities for the most part, I'm lucky if I get two flights a month, and I'm pretty sick of that lifestyle quite frankly.  If anyone is still on here and has had developments with lat transfer for aviators the feedback would be much appreciated.

Going through the same thing now brother. PM me. 

Edited September 30, 2016 by DUSTOFFer

[green_blue_pilot]

DUSTOFFer/ AERO.DAVE13,

I'm kinda in the same position. Long story short: I resigned my commission from the Air Force (ANG) to WO and decided the Army (NG) lifestyle was not for me. Flew Chinooks with 400+ hours. Decided to get my commission back and got a staff job as the quickest route back to Major in the AFRES. I'm trying to get a flying job in the USAF ANG/Reserve, but I am approaching my O-5 board soon. Any advice?

[DUSTOFFer]

12 hours ago, green_blue_pilot said:

DUSTOFFer/ AERO.DAVE13,

I'm kinda in the same position. Long story short: I resigned my commission from the Air Force (ANG) to WO and decided the Army (NG) lifestyle was not for me. Flew Chinooks with 400+ hours. Decided to get my commission back and got a staff job as the quickest route back to Major in the AFRES. I'm trying to get a flying job in the USAF ANG/Reserve, but I am approaching my O-5 board soon. Any advice?

Not sure on your age, but from what I have gathered on this forum, units will hire someone over 30 on a case by case basis (not sure on how being a Major messes with a units MTOE though) 

I do know you will not have to go through UPT if you decided to go to a Helo unit. Which would make being 30+ not an issue. 

Couldnt agree more on wanting a lifestyle change from the Army. It's endless the amount of crap that comes down and  control every echelon of leadership wants on the lower levels. Currently with a unit that was effect by the hurricane, and AFTER the governor declared a state of emergency for the state it was decided we should move A/C. Like are you kidding me. 

[green_blue_pilot]

Dustoffer, 

I was a Navigator in the USAF. After seeing how the Army manages their aircrew and aircraft, I had to find a way a back. Searching for a flying job for the last couple of years. 

 

[Lawman]

Not sure on your age, but from what I have gathered on this forum, units will hire someone over 30 on a case by case basis (not sure on how being a Major messes with a units MTOE though) 
I do know you will not have to go through UPT if you decided to go to a Helo unit. Which would make being 30+ not an issue. 
Couldnt agree more on wanting a lifestyle change from the Army. It's endless the amount of crap that comes down and  control every echelon of leadership wants on the lower levels. Currently with a unit that was effect by the hurricane, and AFTER the governor declared a state of emergency for the state it was decided we should move A/C. Like are you kidding me. 

You should have seen the sh!tshow at Rucker.

Home units issuing mandatory evacuations of families and personnel.... guys stuck TDY without release for days because they still had to do AVCATT scenarios or other nonsense. Some idiot actually said "don't worry they have an FRG for them." My FRG can't run a bake sale, much less handle an evacuation while they are simultaneously evacuating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CharlieHotel47]

On September 27, 2016 at 12:53 AM, aero.dave13 said:

Yeah I'm just curious if there's any development on this as I'm kind of in the same boat.  Commissioned Army, qualified in UH/HH-60 Ls and Ms, however with just 350 hours.  The Army treats O-grade aviators as liabilities for the most part, I'm lucky if I get two flights a month, and I'm pretty sick of that lifestyle quite frankly.  If anyone is still on here and has had developments with lat transfer for aviators the feedback would be much appreciated.

This is the story if every commissioned guy out. Army aviation is a warrant officer's world. Commissioned guys are just good for OERs awards and flying a desk. I am a chinook guy here. Started my chinook career as a WO1. Made CW2 then decides it would be better for my career to go the O route. I now sit here as a 29 yr old 1LT with 1200 hrs. I now wish I wish i could have kept my dots. Im pretty sick of the lifestyle and how army aviation treats o grades. Ive been looking for a new military home in the AFR and ANG. Hoping for a heavy unit out there to allow me to wear a pickle suit and finally feel like a real pilot. 

 

[pilot]

3 hours ago, CharlieHotel47 said:

This is the story if every commissioned guy out. Army aviation is a warrant officer's world. Commissioned guys are just good for OERs awards and flying a desk. I am a chinook guy here. Started my chinook career as a WO1. Made CW2 then decides it would be better for my career to go the O route. I now sit here as a 29 yr old 1LT with 1200 hrs. I now wish I wish i could have kept my dots. Im pretty sick of the lifestyle and how army aviation treats o grades. Ive been looking for a new military home in the AFR and ANG. Hoping for a heavy unit out there to allow me to wear a pickle suit and finally feel like a real pilot. 

 

You chinook guys and your necro posts. 

[CharlieHotel47]

On ‎4‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 9:36 AM, FlyArmy said:

You chinook guys and your necro posts. 

yeah I agree, this blog here might be kinda dead.

[Deuce362]

 

I am a 32 (almost 33) year old 1LT in the Army looking to do a interservice transfer to the USAF and go to UPT. I am currently a UH-60M pilot. I have 10 years of active service. I also have 5 years left on my active duty service obligation. I've read through AFI 36-2004, AFI 36-2005, and AFI 36-2205 and I don't see anything that would definitely stop me. It will not be easy but I think it is possible. The few Air Force people I've talked to said that age waivers and exemption to policies will not happen but I brought up the regulation and I don't think they have read them. My situation is kind of unique so im not sure what I can do. I don't want to bring it up to my command before i'm sure it can be done because if it fails i don't want to be known as that guy who tried and failed to jump ship. My questions are:

1. Has anyone seen or heard of anyone in UPT being older than 30? Did they get a waiver or ETP?

2. Will my ADSO be an issue? Could it be transferred into the USAF?

3. Are there any regulations out there that I have missed that could help me?

4.Would it be possible to transfer to a similar airframe in the Air Force directly?

I've heard of a couple people doing something similar but they didn't talk about if they had age issues to deal with. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

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[JustHangingOut]

On ‎5‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 10:54 AM, Deuce362 said:

 

I am a 32 (almost 33) year old 1LT in the Army looking to do a interservice transfer to the USAF and go to UPT. I am currently a UH-60M pilot. I have 10 years of active service. I also have 5 years left on my active duty service obligation. I've read through AFI 36-2004, AFI 36-2005, and AFI 36-2205 and I don't see anything that would definitely stop me. It will not be easy but I think it is possible. The few Air Force people I've talked to said that age waivers and exemption to policies will not happen but I brought up the regulation and I don't think they have read them. My situation is kind of unique so im not sure what I can do. I don't want to bring it up to my command before i'm sure it can be done because if it fails i don't want to be known as that guy who tried and failed to jump ship. My questions are:

1. Has anyone seen or heard of anyone in UPT being older than 30? Did they get a waiver or ETP?

2. Will my ADSO be an issue? Could it be transferred into the USAF?

3. Are there any regulations out there that I have missed that could help me?

4.Would it be possible to transfer to a similar airframe in the Air Force directly?

I've heard of a couple people doing something similar but they didn't talk about if they had age issues to deal with. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

1- Yes, it has been done multiple times.  I will be one of those once my transfer from Army Guard to Air Guard goes through.

2- Yes especially if you are AD.  If you are Guard/Reserve, it could be different.  It would be best to talk about this offline as there is no "one size fits all"

3- Check out Dodi 1205.05, 1300.04, and 1304.25

4-Yes and easier as you would not need to go through UPT.  you would go through a qualification course on the RW airframe.

PM me if you would like to chat offline sometime.

[pilot]

On 5/26/2018 at 10:54 AM, Deuce362 said:

 

I am a 32 (almost 33) year old 1LT in the Army looking to do a interservice transfer to the USAF and go to UPT. I am currently a UH-60M pilot. I have 10 years of active service. I also have 5 years left on my active duty service obligation. I've read through AFI 36-2004, AFI 36-2005, and AFI 36-2205 and I don't see anything that would definitely stop me. It will not be easy but I think it is possible. The few Air Force people I've talked to said that age waivers and exemption to policies will not happen but I brought up the regulation and I don't think they have read them. My situation is kind of unique so im not sure what I can do. I don't want to bring it up to my command before i'm sure it can be done because if it fails i don't want to be known as that guy who tried and failed to jump ship. My questions are:

1. Has anyone seen or heard of anyone in UPT being older than 30? Did they get a waiver or ETP?

2. Will my ADSO be an issue? Could it be transferred into the USAF?

3. Are there any regulations out there that I have missed that could help me?

4.Would it be possible to transfer to a similar airframe in the Air Force directly?

I've heard of a couple people doing something similar but they didn't talk about if they had age issues to deal with. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

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1. I will be 35 when I start UPT. Got an ETP for age and commissioned service (max is 5 years, I was a few above that).

2. Yes...army guard guys don't have as much of an issue transferring to air guard with remaining ADSOs as active duty guys. I would be shocked if HRC let you go 5 years early from your ADSO. A guy on these boards, also a hawk guy, got his UQR signed for a few months early. A few years? ehh...pushing it. I tried that when I had 4 years left and HRC laughed at me, and my brigade commander said no, but he would sign off on me going to the army guard. He wanted a return on investment for my college, flight school, and a few other schools I went to. 

3. freshly revised UPT age reg https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2105/afi36-2105.pdf

4. As stated, you can go fly helos in the AF with no age limits or UPT requirement. You would do an Aeronautical Review Board to transfer your wings from army to air force, but you will be restricted to a helicopter only status (and V-22). Search for the ARB AFI. I forgot what it is. Even as a hawk guy, you will still have to go through the full H-60 qual course.