Can you switch from Army to Air Force?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 11:28:15 -0400

I'm going to school to get my degree to become a Army Officer. Could I switch over to the AF, and be a pilot? I'm not picky on which air craft I would fly? Is this possible, or does it matter one what the AF is in High need of?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2017 11:33 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 11:33:05 -0400

It is possible to start off as an enlisted soldier and then become an Air Force officer.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2017 11:54 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 11:54:28 -0400

Absolutely! In a way, it's like "starting over." Decide what commissioning source you plan on (AFROTC in college, Officer Training School, etc), and meet the commissioning requirements, and you're in. A good place to start is AirForce.com, just to see what your options are. A web site is good, but you'll want to talk to a human recruiter early-on. They'll make sure you take the right route.
As far as getting your job in the Air Force, much of that is decided at/before your commissioning. You can apply to be a pilot, as long as you have adequate eyesight, good grades, etc. But the other 95% of officers do not fly, and there are no guarantees, so it can be a tricky road to navigate. Again, you want to talk to an officer recruiter early-on.
If you're really serious about being a pilot, the Marine Corps has a program which guarantees you a spot in flight school. About 1/3 of all Marine Officers come in through this program. As long as you pass all the courses, keep your vision, don't get a DUI, etc, then you are guaranteed a seat in Pensacola. What you do with it from there is up to you.
But if you're determined to wear the blue suit, then don't let anything deter you. Find your path, and follow it to the end.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 28 at 2017 12:04 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 28 May 2017 12:04:01 -0400

I was an AFROTC graduate and a pilot. Yes, it is possible.

If you're free to make such a choice, that is, you're not obligated to the Army because they are paying for your tuition, etc., then you should talk with an Air Force Recruiter.

As you probably know there are several pathways to an Air Force Commission: AFROTC, OTS, and Direct Commission (rare). If the University you attend has an AFROTC program, you should take that route in my opinion. They have a program designed for prior-service people. It's pretty painless. Alternatively, you could complete your degree and apply to OTS. If accepted you'd be sent to Lockland AFB, Texas, for OTS, probably about 12 weeks, and come out a 2d Lt.

Becoming a pilot requires you pass both a flight physical and a qualification test. If you pass, then you can be scheduled for pilot training before you're commissioned. For some the most difficult part is the requirement to have 20/20 eye sight. This is sometimes waived to 20/40. The qualification test is what I would describe as a aptitude test more than an intelligence test. (I'm assuming they still use this type of test and haven't been forced out of it by political correctness.) Your background in aviation maintenance should help with the qualification test.

Pilot training is about a year long. It involves a preliminary flight training phase. This phase is taught in small, single-engine aircraft and intended to eliminate people who lack the most basic capabilities necessary to fly. The next phase is taught using the T-6 Texan II. A turboprop trainer. This phase includes basic flying training, aerobatic maneuvers, cross-country navigation, and formation flying. Coming out of this phase you will follow the tanker-transport track or the fighter-bomber track. If you take (or are sent to) the tanker-transport track you will train in a Cessna Citation twin-jet trainer. On the fighter-bomber track, you'll fly the T-38. If you complete all training successfully, then you're awarded your aeronautical rating as a pilot.

In the last phase of training, you will select an aircraft of assignment, or one will be selected for you based on the Air Force's needs. Tanker-transport track folks are headed for those types of aircraft and the bases where they are located. The Fighter-Bomber graduates are headed for fighter, attack, or bomber aircraft and the bases where they are located. On the way, you'll attend an Advanced Flight Training course for the aircraft to which you're assigned. Advanced Flight Training may take a new weeks or about a year depending on the aircraft and mission. The Fighter Pilots used to go trough a "pre-fighter course" using modified T-38s to learn advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flying before going to their aircraft-specific schools for F-22, F-35, A-10, etc. Not sure that process still happens. After nearly 2 years of training, you'll be qualified in your first "real" Air Force aircraft and report to your first flying squadron. Then the real fun and learning starts!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2017 12:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 12:20:57 -0400

With a name like "Sword" you should be given your first choice of everything. Seriously, that is an awesome name!
Getting a commission is a whole 'nother process. I started off in the Navy, wound up in the Army with my commission to attend Physical Therapy school. If you just want to fly, don't limit yourself to just the USAF, consider the Navy and USMC as well. See who may have the best pathway to your goal. Unless you just like blue airline suits and blue suede boots, then stick with the USAF.

Response by Cpl John Barker made May 28 at 2017 12:23 PM

Cpl John Barker — Sun, 28 May 2017 12:23:26 -0400

If you want to be a pilot you should join the Navy

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 29 at 2017 12:25 AM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 29 May 2017 00:25:25 -0400

Blue to Green....

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made May 31 at 2017 10:29 AM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Wed, 31 May 2017 10:29:08 -0400

Can you switch from Army to Air Force I'm going to school to get my degree to become a Army Officer. Could I switch over to the AF, and be a pilot? I'm not picky on which air craft I would fly? Is this possible, or does it matter one what the AF is in High need of? Why? You can become a Warrant Officer in the Army!

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made May 31 at 2017 10:33 AM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Wed, 31 May 2017 10:33:44 -0400

Actually and correct me if I'm wrong I was always told that the Army has more flying assets (Helicopter and planes) than the AF. May be opportunities to fly in the Army. I know the Commander of my battalion was an Aviation Officer and is currently an O-6 so he'd done OK.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2017 3:41 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 May 2017 15:41:43 -0400

You know that you can be a pilot and fly aircraft in the Army correct? Just wanted to make sure you were aware before making such a move solely based on becoming a pilot.

Response by Lila Adams made Mar 8 at 2020 7:56 PM

Lila Adams — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 19:56:53 -0400

I started my process with the Army but have decided to Join the Air Force but the Air Force recruiter insist I get confirmation from the army to release me first and the army is not willing to. What do I do?