As another transition from VQ (EP-3) to VAQ I had a completely different experience than MB. A large part of it was that I was in a unique squadron, up to 70% of the DH's at any one time in my VQ squadron were transitions of one sort or another, many from within the community from EA-3's but we also had quite a few HC and VA guys but also ES-3, VF, VS, VP, VAQ, VRC and VXE types when I was there. Quite a few of the CO's were also not originally EP-3 guys, which is unusual.
So when I broached the subject of a transition with the MO, who was one of the HC guys and later a CO, I got a pretty good response. When I later asked my CO and XO, who was a former Army helo guy, they both were enthusiastic and backed me all the way. The CO was critical, when I did it a CO approval letter was one of three requirements for the board. I know a guy in VQ-2 who also broached the topic but was curtly told it was not going to happen, it didn't hurt him though and he has done well since.
My advice is if you are serious about do as well as you possibly can in your current squadron, wherever you want to transition to doesn't want a slacker. If you do happen to go to someone in the squadron make sure you can trust them and make it clear you are just feeling it out, not that you have made your decision. And make sure it is done in confidence. Be aware that I have heard stories from several guys, separate from MB, about how they got shafted when they mentioned it. Waiting until your shore tour is a safe way to do it if you are nto sure about the guys in your squadron, particularly your CO since he is the one who matters the most.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you are bit of an oddity when you show up to your new community, that is rarely a positive. That is not to mean that it is bad but at best it is usually neutral. I have known a few transitions that have done well because they are good, the only other VQ guy I know who went VAQ is a PXO now. But some have been screwed over partly because they were not 'born and bred' in the community, it happened to a few VS guys I know. It also depends on which community you go to, I have heard anecdotally that VFA is less open to transitions recently, but that may be particular to VS. VAQ seems to be relatively open to transitions, I know several that did well.
PM me if you have any specific questions. If you were wondering, I have very few regrets and enjoyed my transition.