mb1685
Well-Known Member
(Scroll down if you want to jump straight to the questions with no background info)
I've got some questions about the hypothetical situation of an SNA (or NA) lateral transfer from the Coast Guard to the Navy. I've done as much searching as I could and have only found discussions about the reverse situation (Navy to USCG). I would greatly appreciate any information and insight that could be provided.
Background info:
I attended Navy OCS with an SNA slot at the beginning of this year, and while I was there, my wife had some issues with her pregnancy (severe risk for pre-term labor) and was ordered strict bedrest. Because we unfortunately didn't have a sufficient support system in place to reliably provide even basic necessities like groceries, I felt I had no real choice but to come home, so I DOR'd. The OCS chain of command was very understanding of my situation and many of them told me they'd love to have me back, and a fairly high up member of the COC (specific details withheld for privacy reasons) told me I could get in touch with him if I had any trouble re-applying. I haven't seen my DD785 yet but I was told that I would be marked Recommended (although I am not sure if it will be "Highly Recommended" or "Recommended as an Average Candidate" -- I assume the latter since I was not in the program for very long). Unfortunately I was in the last class that would have worked for me and I turned 27 last month.
Luckily, our baby was born full-term and is healthy. I would still like to pursue my dream of becoming a military aviator, and I am especially drawn to naval aviation. Although I know non-prior age waivers for SNA and NFO are practically impossible, I am in the process of attempting to contact that COC member and seeing if he would be willing to write a letter recommending a waiver for me. I know that NRC might not care what anyone else has to say, and I know that my chances are essentially zero since they practically never budge on age waivers and have a constant stream of SNA and NFO applicants (not to mention a DOR looks bad enough on its own), but I figure it won't hurt to try for the waiver since I've got nothing to really lose.
If I am not eligible to go the Navy route (which I'm expecting), I would like to apply for Coast Guard OCS and compete for an aviation slot there. Although I would be extremely thrilled to be a military aviator in any branch, I am (at least in theory) really drawn to the Navy's mission and aircraft. A lateral transfer to the Navy isn't something I'm dead set on; I'm just curious about the idea. If I am fortunate enough to become a USCG SNA, I'm sure there's a very significant possibility that by that point I won't even be entertaining this idea anymore and will be so thrilled that I won't want to jump ship. This is just curiosity and I'm not a selfish, clueless brat thinking he has some kind of master plan to get around the Navy's age limits (and I have absolutely no ill will about the prospect of being a USCG aviator -- I think I'm still just a little disappointed that I was so close to being a Navy SNA).
Questions:
1. Is it possible for a Navy student naval aviator or winged naval aviator to laterally transfer to the USCG? I assume this requires a conditional release from the USCG.
2. I know that USCG SNAs undergo Primary flight training with Navy SNAs, so a lateral transfer before Advanced wouldn't really change much. At what stages could lateral transfers happen (and if they're technically possible at many stages, which ones are more likely to be facilitated)? Could a USCG aviator transfer between Primary and Advanced and stay on track for a Navy aircraft pipeline? Or is it more likely that a USCG aviator would put in at least a few years of flying after training, and then either fly the same aircraft (if it is flown by the Navy) or undergo more training to fly a Navy-specific aircraft?
3. If I were selected to be a USCG SNA, is there a risk of backlash, negative reputation, etc. if I expressed interest in a lateral transfer but it didn't work out? Would it be a better idea to just shut up and color and not risk being perceived as being ungrateful or selfish (and therefore possibly face negative career implications)?
I've got some questions about the hypothetical situation of an SNA (or NA) lateral transfer from the Coast Guard to the Navy. I've done as much searching as I could and have only found discussions about the reverse situation (Navy to USCG). I would greatly appreciate any information and insight that could be provided.
Background info:
I attended Navy OCS with an SNA slot at the beginning of this year, and while I was there, my wife had some issues with her pregnancy (severe risk for pre-term labor) and was ordered strict bedrest. Because we unfortunately didn't have a sufficient support system in place to reliably provide even basic necessities like groceries, I felt I had no real choice but to come home, so I DOR'd. The OCS chain of command was very understanding of my situation and many of them told me they'd love to have me back, and a fairly high up member of the COC (specific details withheld for privacy reasons) told me I could get in touch with him if I had any trouble re-applying. I haven't seen my DD785 yet but I was told that I would be marked Recommended (although I am not sure if it will be "Highly Recommended" or "Recommended as an Average Candidate" -- I assume the latter since I was not in the program for very long). Unfortunately I was in the last class that would have worked for me and I turned 27 last month.
Luckily, our baby was born full-term and is healthy. I would still like to pursue my dream of becoming a military aviator, and I am especially drawn to naval aviation. Although I know non-prior age waivers for SNA and NFO are practically impossible, I am in the process of attempting to contact that COC member and seeing if he would be willing to write a letter recommending a waiver for me. I know that NRC might not care what anyone else has to say, and I know that my chances are essentially zero since they practically never budge on age waivers and have a constant stream of SNA and NFO applicants (not to mention a DOR looks bad enough on its own), but I figure it won't hurt to try for the waiver since I've got nothing to really lose.
If I am not eligible to go the Navy route (which I'm expecting), I would like to apply for Coast Guard OCS and compete for an aviation slot there. Although I would be extremely thrilled to be a military aviator in any branch, I am (at least in theory) really drawn to the Navy's mission and aircraft. A lateral transfer to the Navy isn't something I'm dead set on; I'm just curious about the idea. If I am fortunate enough to become a USCG SNA, I'm sure there's a very significant possibility that by that point I won't even be entertaining this idea anymore and will be so thrilled that I won't want to jump ship. This is just curiosity and I'm not a selfish, clueless brat thinking he has some kind of master plan to get around the Navy's age limits (and I have absolutely no ill will about the prospect of being a USCG aviator -- I think I'm still just a little disappointed that I was so close to being a Navy SNA).
Questions:
1. Is it possible for a Navy student naval aviator or winged naval aviator to laterally transfer to the USCG? I assume this requires a conditional release from the USCG.
2. I know that USCG SNAs undergo Primary flight training with Navy SNAs, so a lateral transfer before Advanced wouldn't really change much. At what stages could lateral transfers happen (and if they're technically possible at many stages, which ones are more likely to be facilitated)? Could a USCG aviator transfer between Primary and Advanced and stay on track for a Navy aircraft pipeline? Or is it more likely that a USCG aviator would put in at least a few years of flying after training, and then either fly the same aircraft (if it is flown by the Navy) or undergo more training to fly a Navy-specific aircraft?
3. If I were selected to be a USCG SNA, is there a risk of backlash, negative reputation, etc. if I expressed interest in a lateral transfer but it didn't work out? Would it be a better idea to just shut up and color and not risk being perceived as being ungrateful or selfish (and therefore possibly face negative career implications)?
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