waterandwind15
Member
After my contract is up, if I want to continue flying, can I go over to ANG and be a CSO? I have seen a lot of info on this for pilots but not much for NFO.
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NFO to ANG CSO
- Thread starter waterandwind15
- Start date
FormerRecruitingGuru
Making Recruiting Great Again
If your overall goal is to be in the ANG, why not just go to that instead of the Navy?
waterandwind15
Member
I want to go active duty, but I don’t think i want to for 20 years.
FormerRecruitingGuru
Making Recruiting Great Again
So why not the Navy Reserve after your obligation?
waterandwind15
Member
I think it would be cool to go back to my home state and have a chance to serve my home community in some capacity. I’m just looking at different options and such
If you know you want to go ANG for the latter half of your career, why not apply to active duty USAF OTS?
waterandwind15
Member
I’m actually applying to both! OCS and OTS
There are steadily diminishing number of flying CSO slots left in the ANG from what I know. When I went through flight school ages ago half the USAF folks in my class were ANG types but they were largely going to plain C-130's which are largely transitioning to cockpits without NAV's/CSO's, while a few were going to KC-135's which rarely if ever fly with Navs any more. There are a few units that still fly with CSO's, the PA ANG flies MC-130J's and the CA ANG flies HC-130J's which both have a CSO on their crew, but I think they are the exception nowadays and in the future.
For non-flying jobs, there are likely more options but it'll depend on the state and unit.
There’s also the OKC unit that currently flies MC-12s, and is switching to OA-1Ks. They’re aggressively hiring CSOs now (both brand new folks and previously qualified CSOs/NFOs) given the requirements of the new platform.
What Flash said is true though, I looked into it recently and it’s pretty much some flavor of C-130 or the OKC unit. You’ll have much better luck transitioning from Navy or AF active duty to a reserve unit that flies the same aircraft.
Of course there’s nothing stopping you from doing your commitment as an NFO/CSO and then rushing a guard unit as a pilot candidate (depending on your age when you separate from active duty).
Out of curiosity, what state are you looking to go back to?
What Flash said is true though, I looked into it recently and it’s pretty much some flavor of C-130 or the OKC unit. You’ll have much better luck transitioning from Navy or AF active duty to a reserve unit that flies the same aircraft.
Of course there’s nothing stopping you from doing your commitment as an NFO/CSO and then rushing a guard unit as a pilot candidate (depending on your age when you separate from active duty).
Out of curiosity, what state are you looking to go back to?
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And on the Navy side we are well into that trend for Reserve NFOS, especially Tacair.
waterandwind15
Member
Michigan, I have looked and they do have a couple ANG wings with CSOs and that’s why I was wondering
Gotcha. What units are you thinking of? I’m aware of a KC-135 unit, an A-10 unit, and an MQ-9 unit, none of which offer flying opportunities for CSOs. There are certainly staff jobs available though.
Yep, it’s pretty much VAQ-209 or bust at this point.
Active duty USAF—> ANG is not a bad life, per folks I worked with who did 20+ on that path.
Is pilot an option for you in the Navy/ Air Force, or are you only eligible for NFO/CSO?
Is pilot an option for you in the Navy/ Air Force, or are you only eligible for NFO/CSO?
Those guys are going to be deployed a lot. The Guard flying club is quickly becoming AD of another flavor.