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SEAL Officer to Pilot

MSNOMAD

New Member
Hey guys,

I have skimmed this forum a few times over the last 10+ years, but this is my first post. Thanks in advance for the expertise and advice here.

I am an active duty NSW officer (28y/o, O3, 6 years in service, 3 deployments). I am outside of the aviation lat transfer YG window published in AUG21. I have excellent FITREPs (top 10%) and no issue passing a flight physical.

I have a strong desire to pursue flight (ideally jets, or helos) as a pilot. I have a deep family history with naval aviation; grew up with it being a big part of my life. I wanted to be a SEAL, obviously, but I wish I could have somehow been both... I have also considered the Air Force in the event I can't get naval aviation to work out. This is not the first time I have considered this, but due to our training pipeline/deployments/orders I've never been able to truly consider a career switch.

My questions are as follows:

  1. Will the Navy accept waivers or a "case by case" policy for applicants for lat transfer outside of the target YGs?
  2. If "no" to the above, is it possible to resign at the end of my commitment, and recommission in a different Navy warfare community? There is surprisingly little information on this. I can't find any memos on it.
  3. Is there a mechanism for lat transfers to get put into a more junior YG so they can hit their respective career milestones?

I appreciate any and all guidance and/or answers to the above questions.
 

ea6bflyr

Working Class Bum
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
A buddy of mine tried going from Aviation to SpecWar. He passed the physicals, PT tests, and the SEAL detailers said he was GTG and was selected, but he hadn’t finished his MSR for aviation, and the aviation detailer wouldn’t let him go. So, with all that said, have you met your MSR for SEALs? Additionally, is your detailer willing to let you go to aviation if selected?

As far as getting select outside of targeted YG, I’d call the folks that run the LATTRANS boards and ask the question. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the candid answers you’ll get. They deal with this all the time and can provide some tips and guidance.

Good luck.
 

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
I can give you a bit of insight on item #2, there isn't much info on that because few people inquire about it, except when it comes to aviation. It is that reason that the program authorization specifically does not allow for former officers to apply to aviation and recommission via OCS, trying to recommission after resignation and not going through OCS would still be through the aviation OCM AFAIK.

I would talk to the aviation OCM and see what he or she says, they would be the greatest resource to see if what you want to do is even possible.
 

MSNOMAD

New Member
I can give you a bit of insight on item #2, there isn't much info on that because few people inquire about it, except when it comes to aviation. It is that reason that the program authorization specifically does not allow for former officers to apply to aviation and recommission via OCS, trying to recommission after resignation and not going through OCS would still be through the aviation OCM AFAIK.

I would talk to the aviation OCM and see what he or she says, they would be the greatest resource to see if what you want to do is even possible.

Thank you. I was just about to reach out to OCM, but wanted some info here first. My concern is that just by reaching out I'll initiate some kind of cross-talk between aviation OCM and SEAL OCM, which will make its way to the detailer, which might torpedo my detailing should I remain in NSW and not go to aviation...
 

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
Thank you. I was just about to reach out to OCM, but wanted some info here first. My concern is that just by reaching out I'll initiate some kind of cross-talk between aviation OCM and SEAL OCM, which will make its way to the detailer, which might torpedo my detailing should I remain in NSW and not go to aviation...
I am sure some of the aviators here could give you some advice on that aspect.
 

MSNOMAD

New Member
A buddy of mine tried going from Aviation to SpecWar. He passed the physicals, PT tests, and the SEAL detailers said he was GTG and was selected, but he hadn’t finished his MSR for aviation, and the aviation detailer wouldn’t let him go. So, with all that said, have you met your MSR for SEALs? Additionally, is your detailer willing to let you go to aviation if selected?

As far as getting select outside of targeted YG, I’d call the folks that run the LATTRANS boards and ask the question. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the candid answers you’ll get. They deal with this all the time and can provide some tips and guidance.

Good luck.
Will do, thank you. Yes, my MSR is met.
 

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
Hey guys,

I have skimmed this forum a few times over the last 10+ years, but this is my first post. Thanks in advance for the expertise and advice here.

I am an active duty NSW officer (28y/o, O3, 6 years in service, 3 deployments). I am outside of the aviation lat transfer YG window published in AUG21. I have excellent FITREPs (top 10%) and no issue passing a flight physical.

I have a strong desire to pursue flight (ideally jets, or helos) as a pilot. I have a deep family history with naval aviation; grew up with it being a big part of my life. I wanted to be a SEAL, obviously, but I wish I could have somehow been both... I have also considered the Air Force in the event I can't get naval aviation to work out. This is not the first time I have considered this, but due to our training pipeline/deployments/orders I've never been able to truly consider a career switch.

My questions are as follows:

  1. Will the Navy accept waivers or a "case by case" policy for applicants for lat transfer outside of the target YGs?
  2. If "no" to the above, is it possible to resign at the end of my commitment, and recommission in a different Navy warfare community? There is surprisingly little information on this. I can't find any memos on it.
  3. Is there a mechanism for lat transfers to get put into a more junior YG so they can hit their respective career milestones?
I appreciate any and all guidance and/or answers to the above questions.

It's great advice to talk to the OCM of the community you're trying to lat transfer into, they'll steer you in the right direction. As far as becoming more junior, the only places I've seen that happen is transferring into another service. The Coasties are notorious for dropping LTs to LTJGs when you transfer over but it's a crap shoot if they're taking anybody. Have you looked at the Air Guard or AF Reserves? They usually have programs open for folks transferring in to go to UPT. I'm sure you could get in easily; I doubt they see many SEALs want to become pilots.

Thank you. I was just about to reach out to OCM, but wanted some info here first. My concern is that just by reaching out I'll initiate some kind of cross-talk between aviation OCM and SEAL OCM, which will make its way to the detailer, which might torpedo my detailing should I remain in NSW and not go to aviation...

You'd be surprised how little cross-talk there is based upon inquiries like this. When I attempted to lat transfer from SWO to Aviation, none of my conversations with the OCM ever made it back to PERS-41. Really, until you start routing paperwork, it's all shop talk. Best of luck, dude; I hope it works out.
 

Griz882

Frightening children with the Griz-O-Copter!
pilot
Contributor
A buddy who was an army Special Forces officer (O-3) had the same idea. He was told “no” so he left active duty, joined the Army National Guard to fly as a Warrant Officer and then applied for and was accepted to fly for the 160th SOAR. He is about to retire as a CWO4 and has zero regrets.
 

sickboy

Well-Known Member
pilot
There was a student when I was leaving the VTs that had a specwar background (he was/is a LT). I forget the exact circumstances, but I don’t think the redes was his choice. Good dude and a pretty solid stick though
 

SynixMan

HKG Based Artificial Excrement Pilot
pilot
Contributor
I think the steers you've gotten here are pretty good. Start with the Aviation OCM in Millington and you'll probably get a straight answer pretty quick. Another thing to consider is if your community will let you go. My understanding is NSW retention is tough these days due to high OPTEMPO. TBH, 6 years puts you in a tough spot. Zero to wings is ~2.5 years for helos/MPRA, more for jets. You'd be maybe just showing up to a fleet squadron when you're getting looked at for LCDR.

Option B might be to shop around to Army National Guard (helos) to Air National Guard (tankers, Herk, fighter, whatever) units and see if someone will send you to pilot training. I kicked the tires on flying helos in the guard and it was decently straight forward process, although I was already rated (aka winged). You'd be looking at commissioning at a CW3 and going to Ft Rucker for the whole pipeline. Could be fun though.
 
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