Service Swap?

[Talespin]

Greetings,
I have a simple question: Does the navy accept pilots from other services? If so how can I start that ball rolling?
Thanks!

Greetings,
I have a simple question: Does the navy accept pilots from other services? If so how can I start that ball rolling?
Thanks!

Bueller, Bueller?


If anyone knows anything about a service transfer or knows of someone who joined the navy having already been rated officer in a different service I would really appreciate their story.
Thanks

 

[NightVisionPen]

Yes, the Navy will accept rated pilots from other services. I have seen it done. He was a helo pilot and knew that his flying role in the Army was significantly reduced as a regular officer as compared to a warrant officer. He transferred to the Navy and became a F/A-18 pilot. He had to go through some modified flight school though since he wasn't a fixed wing guy. That would depend on what you already fly and what they would be sending you to. I'm not sure exactly how it works since I only know one guy that did it on active duty. I'm not sure, but I bet it is like doing an aircraft type change or a NFO to pilot change where you apply to a specific platform. I have also seen reserve VR squadrons that picked up Army and Air Force pilots. That is a different route though as you have to apply to that specific squadron if they are taking guys.

The best place for you to get started would be to talk to the Navy Personnel Command, PERS-43 Aviation Officer Distribution. They may be able to help you figure out the process.

Good luck.

 

[redknight123]

Maybe a phone call to one of the detailers on the left side of the above link would yield some info ie call the vf (fighter/strike) or vp ( p-3) guy.

 

[Pepe]

Your best bet would be to use google, learn as much as you can, and then come back with specific questions that you couldn't find the answer to.

Just out of curiosity, which service are you in? "Military Aviator" doesn't help us out much.

 

[redknight123]

I am a major O4 USAF in the predator. I have 12 years in and will have towards 16 by the time my commitment is up. Anyone ever heard of a transfer to the Active duty Navy to perhaps maritime (p-3) community. I have been told that a p-3 sqdn usually has only 1 or 2 O4s due to department head selections. So what are the chances. Note: I did not create this thread so I am not answering the above question about background.

 

[HuggyU2]

I know two U-2 pilots that went did it. One to Prowlers (Crip), the other to the T-45 (Horny, who is on this site).

 

[Pepe]

I am a major O4 USAF in the predator. I have 12 years in and will have towards 16 by the time my commitment is up. Anyone ever heard of a transfer to the Active duty Navy to perhaps maritime (p-3) community. I have been told that a p-3 sqdn usually has only 1 or 2 O4s due to department head selections. So what are the chances. Note: I did not create this thread so I am not answering the above question about background.

I'm only speculating, but I'd say your chances are slim. It doesn't make sense to send a pilot to the FRS if you're only going to be 4 years of use out of him. Current time requirements are 8 years (If I'm not mistaken). Plus being an being a new guy, you probably aren't going to be put in a department head slot.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that boat has sailed.

I know two U-2 pilots that went did it. One to Prowlers (Crip), the other to the T-45 (Horny, who is on this site).

I stand corrected.

 

[FLY_USMC]

Threadjack, because though I don't plan on swapping services ever, I do have a "similar" question. Is it possible to do 20 years and get a retirement....and then say join your services Reserves or even another services Guard or Reserves? I guess I'm curious if that "retirement" disqualifies me for continued years of service elsewhere. End Threadjack, I know a female who transfered from the Army flying CH-47s to the Coast Guard flying the Dauphin.....but that seems like a pretty easy trade and she was a LTJG.

 

[vick]

Talespin - are you talking active duty or reserves? Big difference. At least one of the guys Huggy mentioned went reserves. The odds of (1) the gaining service needing you and (2) the transfer happening at all diminish rapidly as you gain seniority. I went from the Marine Corps to the AF as a Major one year below zone for O-5, but then I went into a community in which you can't swing a dead UAV pilot without hitting an O-5. An active duty fleet Navy squadron will only have a few O-4s and one, maybe two, O-5s.

Dig up the appropriate instruction (in this case I think it's a SECNAVINST) and give BUPERS a call - you'll probably have an answer with one phone call.

 

[zab1001]

I am a major O4 USAF in the predator. I have 12 years in and will have towards 16 by the time my commitment is up. Anyone ever heard of a transfer to the Active duty Navy to perhaps maritime (p-3) community. I have been told that a p-3 sqdn usually has only 1 or 2 O4s due to department head selections. So what are the chances. Note: I did not create this thread so I am not answering the above question about background.

You've received very bad gouge. No way, no how an O4 from another service would pick up interservice transfer to an AD VP (P-3) squadron for DH. There are WAY more than just 1 or 2 Department Heads and they're drawn from Fleet experienced guys. Zero chance.

Way better chace at VT or VR.

 

[NightVisionPen]

In general, the more junior you are, the greater the chance. With airline jobs being what they are, ever pilot out there is trying to get into reserve squadrons as well so right now they have their pick and are sticking wi th junior guys who live local.

Tailspin may have a chance depending on age and rank. redknight123 is probably SOL, but what does it take to look into it and try? Only some time.

 

[Talespin]

A little of my info:
1lt 3 years service... vt-3 grad then vance afb. Thanks for all the tips.

 

[MIDNJAC]

A little of my info:
1lt 3 years service... vt-3 grad then vance afb. Thanks for all the tips.

So what community would you be coming from?

 

[vick]

A little of my info:
1lt 3 years service... vt-3 grad then vance afb. Thanks for all the tips.

In that case, regardless of your fleet aircraft, you're probably SOL. How long is your flight contract? 6-8 yrs? Unless you're in some specialty that big blue recently targeted for reduction I doubt they're going to release you for IST until you've satisfied your commitment...

 

[MIDNJAC]

Are you a UAV guy (noticed your location)? If so, I thought the AF was still promising that they would be sending RPA jockeys back to manned aircraft post-first tour. Regardless, maybe you can do a transfer to a different community within the AF if you are not happy where you currently are.......not sure if big blue sponsors this in the same way the Navy sometimes does.