Question About Naval Test Pilot School Service Commitment

[U-Aviation]

I’ve been doing research on the history of Minimum Service Requirements over the years and how they effect different communities. Does anyone recall when Navy Test Pilot School instituted the 4-year post TPS payback. Spoke to someone who graduated from TPS in the early 1980’s and he recalled getting out of active duty 2 years after TPS (having completed his tour with Strike Test). Trying to nail down the year. Was it before or after the move from 6 to 7 or 7 to 8 year commitment post winging. Also, any thoughts in general on the increases in service commitments and tour lengths from 6 years in the early 80's to 8 years today would be of interest.

Thanks for reading and any insight you may offer.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

I’ve been doing research on the history of Minimum Service Requirements over the years and how they effect different communities. Does anyone recall when Navy Test Pilot School instituted the 4-year post TPS payback. Spoke to someone who graduated from TPS in the early 1980’s and he recalled getting out of active duty 2 years after TPS (having completed his tour with Strike Test). Trying to nail down the year. Was it before or after the move from 6 to 7 or 7 to 8 year commitment post winging. Also, any thoughts in general on the increases in service commitments and tour lengths from 6 years in the early 80's to 8 years today would be of interest.

Thanks for reading and any insight you may offer.

If no one responds on the TPS side, I would suggest reaching out to the actual Test Pilot School and asking. Reaching out to NAVAIR might help too for fact gathering.

For the aviation MSR (obligation after winging), prior to 2001 it was 8 years tailhook and 6 years everything else (helicopters, maritime aircraft, etc.). Note: This is for pilot only, NFO remains/remained 6 years.

Come 2001, a memo was signed which aligned pilot MSR to 8 years all platforms.

 

[sevenhelmet]

USNTPS guy here, and I don’t know the answer. @IKE , any insight?

 

[IKE]

USNTPS guy here, and I don’t know the answer. @IKE , any insight?

No insight. I'm not aware of the change. It's been 4 years since at least 2014 when we graduated. Based on other questions I've asked, I doubt PERS kept a historical record of the change.

One option would be to search old NAVADMINs or see an old version of the TPS BUPERSINST is floating around on the interwebs.

 

[sevenhelmet]

No insight. I'm not aware of the change. It's been 4 years since at least 2014 when we graduated. Based on other questions I've asked, I doubt PERS kept a historical record of the change.

One option would be so search old NAVADMINs or see an old version of the TPS BUPERSINST is floating around on the interwebs.

Can confirm it’s been that way (4 years post graduation) since at least 2011, when I started applying to TPS.

 

[OscarMyers]

Can confirm it’s been that way (4 years post graduation) since at least 2011, when I started applying to TPS.

I just prompted ChatGPT for historical TPS MSR’s and it only referenced this thread… Soooo. Good luck finding that data.

OP might wanna just pony up and give Johnny O a call.

 

[IKE]

I just prompted ChatGPT for historical TPS MSR’s and it only referenced this thread… Soooo. Good luck finding that data.

OP might wanna just pony up and give Johnny O a call.

Johnny O retired a few years ago. Great American!

I checked, and the follow-on service is specified in the BUPERSINST 1500.62, but I can't find versions older than 2012ish.

 

[OscarMyers]

Johnny O retired a few years ago. Great American!

I checked, and the follow-on service is specified in the BUPERSINST 1500.62, but I can't find versions older than 2012ish.

We were his last class! But I figured if anyone knew the entire history of the Navy test pilot program it would be him.

 

[Waveoff]

Test Pilot

Otherwise, ask your detailer. They shouldn’t shut down an honest question.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Test Pilot

Otherwise, ask your detailer. They shouldn’t shut down an honest question.

I think OP is a civilian doing research…

 

[U-Aviation]

Yes, Civilian doing research. Thank you all so very much for trying to answer this. While I still hope someone might chime in with an answer going back a bit further then mid 2000’s, I have to admit I’m kinda proud of myself for stumping such a knowledgeable community.

Seriously, thank you all.

 

[Gatordev]

For the aviation MSR (obligation after winging), prior to 2001 it was 8 years tailhook and 6 years everything else (helicopters, maritime aircraft, etc.). Note: This is for pilot only, NFO remains/remained 6 years.

Come 2001, a memo was signed which aligned pilot MSR to 8 years all platforms.

In the interest of his research...not quite. The MSR for non-tailhook was 7 years prior to the switch, which affected the YG02 peeps. I don't think it was actually effective until that group winged, though, which would have been 2003-2004.