Navy Helo Pilot to ANG / AFRC Fighters?

[Cableangle]

Hello! I am currently an Active Duty Navy Helo pilot with 2 years left on my commitment to the Navy. I am trying to make the transition to ANG / AFRC Fighters and looking for some inspiration of anyone that has been picked up by a unit in a similar situation. I know the boards are very competitive and fighters can be harder on age but not too sure how units look at someone like me. I know my age is probably the biggest factor (I will be 31 when I apply). 

Two big questions I have:

1. What is the earliest I can apply to boards? Is a year out from my separation date sufficient? I am concerned with applying too early and still being tied to the Navy while a unit is pushing me to head to training. 

2. Can I apply for Rated positions? I'm not sure if Navy Helo Pilots fall into this category if you are attempting a fixed wing transition. I have attended the full T-6B syllabus in flight school before I headed down the rotary path. I imagine I will have to do a partial UPT syllabus so that leads me to think maybe I apply for UPT slots as well? 

Appreciate if anyone has some insight, I know my situation is very specific and not the norm!

[O Face]

Guard guy here, and if it helps, your biggest concerns shouldn’t be your biggest concerns.  You have wings on your chest, thus age is no longer an issue per se (federal time in service becomes an issue, as well as your competition being a 22 year old) the age requirement is to attend UPT however, so you’re fine. To answer your other question about UPT, you don’t go back to pilot training and start all over because you went Navy helos. Assuming you got picked by a fighter unit, you’re going to have to go do T-38, IFF, and so on, but nobody is going to throw away your gold wings.  
 

To answer your two questions:

1.  You can apply as early as you’d like. I’d recommend starting right away. Assuming you get selected by an ANG unit, they can’t get you school dates until you’ve become a unit member anyway, so you might as well start getting out to the units you’d like to work for and start meeting people. 
2.  Each unit is different on how they select pilots. Some have different boards for rated vs UPT candidates, others don’t. I will say however, you are facing an uphill battle and your best bet is to get to know the pilots you hope to fly with. You’ll have better luck at heavy units where you won’t need to attend any T-38 training and can go straight to your airframe’s schoolhouse. 
Best of luck. 

[Cableangle]

@O Facethanks for info, really appreciate it! I would love to start applying right away, however - seems like every application memo requires a DD-368 (conditional release from the Navy). I guess I could try to swing a letter in lieu of for the application. I still have 2 years left in the Navy and no one will sign a DD-368 until I am minimum a year out from separation. 

[O Face]

@CableangleYeah, like I said, every unit is different.  Each wing is going to have a process that is somewhat unique. For example, my squadron does not have rated guys compete with UPT hopefuls. Rated pilots will be invited in to meet the gang and interview whenever it works, while a UPT board is convened only once per year.  If I were in your boat, (pun intended) I would start reaching out to the squadrons you’re interested in. Call Ops and try to speak to the Squadron Commander or DO.  For an Active Duty bro rushing a guard unit, it’s often a much friendlier process than a non-rated or non-prior guy.  Hell, doesn’t the Navy let you guys fly your aircraft around on the weekends?  If you’re close by, see if you can’t fly your helo up to your prospective unit on a drill weekend and bullshit with everybody.  We have a Navy Hornet guy who did just that, flew in on drill weekend, let us climb around on the plane, drank with us at the bar, and we hired him shortly after - I think it was nearly 2 years prior to the USN cutting him loose, we held a spot for him. I can’t stress enough that a guard unit is way more interested in someone who is a good fit more than we’re interested in a signed DD-368. 

 

Edited April 15, 2022 by O Face
Clarity

[brabus]

O Face nailed it (pun intended?) I think most fighter units don't give a shit about the paperwork side at this point...are you a good dude they want to work with, appear to have the aptitude required to succeed in the fighter track training pipeline, and will contribute to the squadron's mission post-training at an "acceptable" level. Those are all fairly subjective criterion and will ebb and flow depending on current and projected manning.

To manage expectations though, you do realistically have a much tougher mountain to climb than a current fighter pilot. That said, every unit is different in desires and needs, so you may find a brick wall at one fighter unit while another is very interested in you. If you're not completely tied to living in a specific location, recommend casting a wide net.

[O Face]

If, however, you have photo evidence of yourself signing 368-DD’s, you may get hired on the spot!

This pun game is getting fun!!

[Cableangle]

@O Face your unit sounds really chill , where are you flying out of? I’ve started to reach out to a few squadrons but haven’t cold called yet. I’ll be back in the states this summer (currently stationed overseas) and was trying to hop around and visit some units. Thanks again for the insight! 
 

@brabus I’m definitely not hard set on a location. Just looking for a good group of people to have fun and fly with. I’m working on a large command staff for my shore tour right now and miss the squadron life… too many boat donkeys running around here 🤣

[O Face]

13 hours ago, Cableangle said:

@O Face your unit sounds really chill , where are you flying out of? 

HA HA!  Nice try SARC or OSI or both!!  I make one stupid joke about titties and you’re gonna hunt me down and have me confess on a public forum?  In the immortal words of

Jeff Portnoy-“boundaries man…fvck!”

[O Face]

[Cableangle]

@O FaceYou caught me! Don't worry though only looking for Navy violators 🤫