Can someone cross-commission from the Navy into the Army mid contract?

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 00:23:55 -0500

So here's the short of it.

Before becoming a Naval Officer, I was in the Army and wanted nothing more than to fight. Just a general blanket term of fighting. Commissioned into Navy expecting to fill that hole as a pilot..But here I am, in flight school being told over and over again that unless I am in the rare scenario where I am offered tac-air (which is temporarily closed), despite Naval Aviation being so fulfilling in many other areas including prestige, I won't see any action.

It will be a cold day in hell when I DOR (quit) from flight school or anything for that matter but in the case I fail, I will not walk into the re-designation office with no pre-planned proposals for where I want to go--which is back to the Army to fight. I've done research into the Army's blue to green program as well as specific branch options but I feel I fall into a lot of grey area with it all.

So...to circle back....the short of my question is...does anyone have any information that could shed light on this transfer...should I be in the situation where I need to find a new job? Any references or people I can turn to that can assist me with this?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 26 at 2017 2:05 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 02:05:59 -0500

I actually like the USMC suggestion, that struck me as quite worthwhile, when I'd been in, USAF had a 20/100 vision limit for navs/WSOs, whereas Navy had a 20/200 limit uncorrected for NFOs, which obv never see!ed to make much sense, I would've expected carrier limits to be the tighter. Now, I did do the med exam for NFO and passed it, though I never imterserviced. I actually think USMC couldmne a way to be as close to an Army like environmemt, as suggested, plus, you'd still be under the Navy Dept., which mightmmakemsuch am interservice easier. Of course, you could also ask for an exchange tour, to either Army, or USMC, or USAF, though any such tours would obv only be temporary. Not knowing your bachelors or grad school major(s), if, also, you were engineering or any other science, you could also try for NTPS for the test pilot program, later on, of course. Also, if you haven't gone grad level yet, you could also try for NPS or AFIT for grad school later on, or go on your own. Those are just thoughts, of course. As an aside, youmcoild ask to exchange with the NOAA Corps aviation units, or as try for am exchange tour with USCG as well. The son of the closest high school friend of my mother in law was Army enlisted, he then went At!y WOCS for rotary wing, them finished his bachelors through Embry Riddle, and went interservice to USCG, I'd always found that an interesting story, if nothing else. I'd be curious if you might perhaps elaborate on your bachelors, any grad school, and any of your other ambitions. What strikes me is that, if nothing else, you certainly seem to be in an enviable circuit!stance, regardless. I also had read that, often, fixed wing air often makes conversion to rotary wing harder, that rotary wing is easier to then use to transition to fixed wing, though, of course, I'd only heard that, I realize I might be wrong, of course. I'd be !ost eager for your thoughts, in any event, whenever convenient, many thanks, hope was of some use and/or interest.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 26 at 2017 2:09 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 02:09:23 -0500

If you'd care to chat further, I'd be most interested, it is an interesting set of circu!stances, truly, I'd certainly be most willing to offer you any further thoughts, if, as I'd said, you could possibly elaborate further.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 2:10 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 02:10:40 -0500

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member Complete flight school because failure is not an option. Seeing action or combat is not something to wish for. As mentioned by SSG Ray Inabnitt, complete your training and then see if you can become a Marine pilot, or what your options are.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Nov 26 at 2017 5:37 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 05:37:25 -0500

Cross-commission is not an issue; however, the long of the shortest possible line is first complete flight school and then, let's discuss and consider the possibility of fulfilling your dreams.

Response by SFC Keith Sollazzo made Nov 26 at 2017 9:38 AM

SFC Keith Sollazzo — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 09:38:14 -0500

That is an excellent question. I would look in the AR 601-210. This covers all enlistments in the Army. Just out of curiosity why didn't you apply for warrant in the army? May not of been fixed wing but rotary would of given you both sides of what you crave, pilot & combat support/action? I'm unsure about the USMC criteria. I'm a Amputee Private Pilot on civilian side now after 20 yrs service. Good luck to you!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 26 at 2017 12:05 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 12:05:34 -0500

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member you are already in one of the most exclusive programs in the Navy, or any US Service for that matter. A very small percent of Naval Officers qualify for pilot training. Although, I selected the Air Force for my way to a flying job, I greatly respect Naval Aviation. I recall reaching low points in my pilot training and worrying about being washed out. It was wasted worry. Here's my advice:
-Redouble your efforts to complete pilot training. If you truly want to fly, the golden wings are worth more than any Army Officer job.
-Adjust your attitude from what happens if, to what aviation opportunities can I pursue once I get my wings
-Look carefully at the way the Navy is using and assigning pilots. Talk to your instructors. If fighter-attack is closed now there's no reason to think it will be forever. Consider which Navy Pilot jobs can lead to a fighter-attach job as a second assignment. In the USAF, pilot graduates who accept the assignment to come back as pilot training instructors are setting themselves up for an assignment to fighter-attack-bomber as a second assignment.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Nov 26 at 2017 12:21 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 12:21:26 -0500

Interestingly, I have a great niece who's greatest desire is to go into combat with the Army. I'll tell you what I told her. Anyone who's sole motivation is combat is a fool. I have been in combat every night for the past 49 years, it is not pleasant.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 4:48 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 16:48:16 -0500

Currently the Air Force is down 1800 pilots most of those (1500 or so) being fighter pilots.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2017 10:39 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 10:39:27 -0500

Is it possible to do a one for one contract swap? I am currently in the infantry and have been looking into doing a service transfer a few years from now to try to become a military pilot. Would gladly trade places if something like that is possible.

Response by LCDR Michael L. made Jan 29 at 2018 7:33 PM

LCDR Michael L. — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 19:33:34 -0500

Ens, I was a Naval Flight Officer an proud to serve as a Mission Commander in Iraq on the Mighty P-3C Orion. I’m now about to rejoin active duty as a Psychology Intern enroute to Naval Clinical Psychologist. I say this because some jobs are sexy and all are necessary. Be a Naval Officer serving with distinction in the capacity that your service is needed.
All that said, I was at API in 2004 and they sent a large number of pilots home. The Marines pick many of them up to fly 18s, helos, and other. Maybe the Marines are still looking for more Pilots. The grass is always greener and so are the uniforms.
Good luck and represent Naval Aviation well should you stay.

Response by CDR William Kempner made Jun 11 at 2018 5:42 PM

CDR William Kempner — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:42:04 -0400

Get thru USN Flight School. DO NOT drop out. Get your wings, and after you're thru the pipeline, THEN YOU CAN START. talking about a transfer. However, I caution you- the Navy will want its money's worth. They AREN'T GOING TO LET YOU LEAVE JUST LIKE THAT. I have a young friend who transferred from USN to NYANG after his commitment ended.I went from USAF Capt to ENS, USNto get a guaranteed designated, but I ate six years of seniority and took a lot of s##t along the way.Even had to go thru OCS AGAIN!! It narrowly turned out well. I also watched a guy do the MAGIC "interservice transfers the date of his promotion to Army Captain, he became a Navy LT. But it was a big mistake!! Not coming from USN commissioning source,he was eaten alive at SWOS, and Navy, having NOTHING invested in him, flushed him.(Last time I saw him he was back in CA ARNG.) Be very careful.Do NOT tell the Navy about your plans to switch over. TRY TO GO HELOs-will make it A LOT easier. Good luck.