Do USN, USMC, or USAF (active or reserves) have options for AD Army officers to transfer and train as pilots?

2018-12-10T04:34:09-05:00

It's probably not all that common and Google is vague. Genuinely curious if there are pathways or not. Seems more probable that if there are such systems that the reserves are more apt to use them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2018 4:54 AM

2018-12-10T04:54:41-05:00

I have a friend who was a pilot and recently transferred to the USCG to fly. But, I think you need to be a pilot first.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2018 7:36 AM

2018-12-10T07:36:40-05:00

You know there are some fixed wing positions in the army, most are in the reserves, 11th Aviation, I was a unit administrator for the unit and we had a few.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 10 at 2018 9:19 AM

2018-12-10T09:19:28-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member After almost a decade on AD Army, my friend an Infantry Officer, branch transferred to the Navy and to a flight billet. He flew CH53s. He had to fly to HRC on leave and get his packet pushed through. It all came down to one COL that was a toad in the road who had denied it twice before. He had to ask him if he had a problem with him personally. The COL asked why he was doing this, he calmly explained that the Army had no interest in getting him to fly anything, so he took his career elsewhere. The COL nodded, signed and walked him cubicle to cubicle until it was completed....wished him well.

Had a pilot friend that was a CW2 and hopelessly stuck at NTC. He was Safety qualified and he became the NTC safety officer, removed from flying. He was migrated from AH1to UH60 much to his dismay, then desk bound. He hated it. His branch, less than helpful....deal with it. So he transferred to the Coast Guard and was direct commissioned as an O3. He retired from the USCG as an O5 and now works at the State Department.

These programs are fleeting, usually to fill a shortfall, and may be turned on and off at will. You have to look Service by Service. In another thread, I saw the NYARNG is dealing with a pilot shortage, you could try looking State by state. It's going to take digging, there will not be a consolidated web site with a bow on it. Depends on how bad you want this.

Start reaching out to direct commission recruiters and their version of HRC.
Navy: https://www.navy.com/joining-navy-if-you-have-served
USCG: https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/officer-opportunities/programs/direct-commission-programs

Joining the Navy with Prior Military Service - Navy.com

If you have served in the military before, find out how you can put your prior military service and experience to work with the option to serve in the Navy Reserve.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Dec 10 at 2018 11:27 AM

2018-12-10T11:27:48-05:00

Google is vague ? C'mon now.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2018 12:15 PM

2018-12-10T12:15:45-05:00

Our jobs in the guard (full time) hire like any other. If you have an aircraft you have more interest in, watch USAJobs for pilot job postings in a location with that aircraft. They're pretty rare here though. I believe the interview is more like a board process as well.