lat transfer

[marcholt]

I'm an ex sub guy (JO) trying to lat transfer into aviaition by fiscal year 04. Are there any people out there that have transfered into aviation as a JO that can offer some "not so obvious" advice on this process??

 

[unfUSN]

Originally posted by marcholt
I'm an ex sub guy (JO) trying to lat transfer into aviaition by fiscal year 04. Are there any people out there that have transfered into aviation as a JO that can offer some "not so obvious" advice on this process??

I just got my Lat transfer from Supply to SNFO. I'm not to sure what the "trick" is. I begged and pleaded for good LTRs of Rec from 05s and above. That could have helped me.

ENS Payne

There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea.
- Joseph Conrad

 

[marcholt]

Speaking of LOR's, how many did you have? What else did you put in your package besides the ltrs? How well did you do on the ASTB, if you don't mind me asking. Also, how long did the whole process take once the package left your chain of command?
-marc

 

[moestud]

I did a lateral transfer 2 yrs ago, but it was the best thing I ever did. There are two boards a year, your next shot would be in the fall (oct, I think) and your package needs to reach them a few months earlier. There should be a message that outlines the cut-off dates, etc.. But basically you have to take the ASTB and score high enough to become an aviator (on the aviation related parts of the test), then take a flight physical, then turn in those results along with some letters of recommendation (I had one from my CO and one from my opso). Its a bit of a pain in the A**, but I have a copy of the package I sent in, so let me know if you need examples, etc...

 

[marcholt]

I've got to talk to the detailer to find out w/ the hell to do. From what his secretary said, when going RL to URL, there are two boards a year, as you mentioned, but then when going URL to URL, there are four boards a year. What community did you come out of?

 

[moestud]

I came from restricted line-METOC. Even better to have 4 boards a year. I am curious as to what your detailer says....

 

[marcholt]

He said there is no board whatsoever when going URL to URL. It's kind of just a handshake thing between detailers, if both communities agree. I have a package in for METOC for the lat transfer board in May, but am going to deny the transfer-doesn't look like the community really is going anywhere. What did you think of it?

 

[moestud]

There are parts of metoc that I really enjoyed, and others that I hated. You will see a different side of it than I did, since you won't be a boot ensign, but keep in mind, most (not all) first tours are at a center, where you will be a divo, have one or two other collateral duties and stand watch (as your primary job) 12hrs, usually 2 days on, 2 days off, work a 3 day weekend, then have the next off, and we switched from days to nights every 2 weeks-and were expected to work on our days off (if needed). Maybe other centers were better than ours, not sure. It was rough, but I really liked the aviation weather side of the house, would have liked to have been an OIC, but overall, the community was not for me. Some people love it, especially when they come from other communities, those people tend to be more greatful for the shore tours we can get (not as much sea time as other communities).

 

[marcholt]

Thanks for the info. I went TAD to the center in San Diego for about three weeks trying to get a flavor of the atmosphere. What I got out of it is the guy (and gals) that want to go home every night, want to have a chill job, low activity, blah, blah, love it. It was the guy that did aviation air that loved it in fact. The guys that are high energy want some kind of kickback/rewarding situation, HATE it. This one guy I know that is transferring to the NOAA corps won't even park close to the building because he hates it so much. He gave me the email addresses of other people at FNMOC, and they hate it as well because they feel like they are wandering aimlessly. I think outside of aviation weather, most of the JO's feel like the community is drowning and that all of the CO's are struggling to keep it afloat. In addition, it looks like they are going to be closing all of the overseas facilities and congregating everything into two centers in the US. So, everyone that thought they were going to go somewhere different (geographically) than the US, are pretty much going to be taking it up the a$$ when they find out there is no travelling to be had in METOC. I've already talked to the METOC detailer about declining orders when I go through the lateral transfer board this month. I'm going to try to stash somewhere in San Diego until October when supposedly they are going to accept more people into aviation. Hopefully w/ an aviation squadron..

 

[moestud]

Thats funny, I left the center in san diego last year to come to flight school. I am sure we worked w/ some of the same people. Sounds like you've made a good decision.