How difficult is it to transition to the Air Force from the Army? And what is the process to become a TACP?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 23:18:29 -0500

Hello, I am a recent graduate of the U.S. Army all-source Intelligence Analyst school (MOS 35F). I am also enrolled as a cadet at the University of Central Missouri in their ROTC program. I have not contracted yet. And before I do I have some questions that I need to have answered. The first being how difficult is it for an officer in the Army to transition to the Air Force and about how long does that take? And is it easier to transition to the Air Force as an enlisted soldier? The reason I'm asking this is that I have always been extremely interested in transitioning into the special forces community. I have looked at multiple different SF units and groups throughout all branches of service. But the one that has peaked my interest the most is TACP. I know that I'm a very new soldier and just starting my military carrier. But if at all possible I would like to find a way to get a TACP contract and the best way to do that post branch transition. I'm also curious as to the process of becoming a TACP. Both the officer and the enlisted route. As well as what to expect when going through the pipeline. I don't plan on acting on any of this for a while because I plan to finish my degree. But any information on both transitioning to the Air Force from the Army and the TACP life, in general, would be greatly appreciated.

Response by Lt Col Brett Meyer made Feb 25 at 2020 11:22 PM

Lt Col Brett Meyer — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 23:22:12 -0500

I transitioned to the Air Force from the Army after 15 years as a infantry officer. For me I went to USAF Security Forces. It is easier if it into a career field that is short officers

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2020 10:47 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 10:47:45 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member, you will want to look into 13L AFSC (TACPO - formerly Air Liaison Officer).
Pulled this overview off of Wikipedia:
Potential 13Ls will first attend a two phase assessment and selection process before attending their initial skills training. Phase I involves completing an application and PAST that is submitted to a review board of TACP Officers. If the review board sees potential in a candidate, they will invite the candidate to Phase II, also called TOPT (TACP Officer Phase Two). TOPT involves one week of extensive testing and evaluation by TACP Cadre to see if candidates are capable of operating in the rigorous TACPO career field. Events at TOPT include numerous written and psychological tests and interviews, Group Leadership Problems (GLPs), long distance runs and ruck marches with combat gear and rigorous physical training. If candidates are selected they will attend the TACP Officer Prep Course followed by the TACP Officer Basic Course based at Lackland AFB, TX; the Joint Firepower Course (JFC) and Basic ALO Skills Course (BASC) at Nellis AFB, NV; and finally Air Force SERE School at Fairchild AFB, WA.[14]

The TACPO represents the Joint/Combined Forces Air Component Commander as a member of the Army commander's special staff at the Battalion through Corps echelons in a coalition, joint, or interagency force. He or she provides subject matter expertise to lead, plan, and manage Command-and-Control and terminal execution of Air, Space, and Cyber operations in direct support of land component forces. The TACPO assists in developing fire support coordination plans to include Close Air Support (CAS), Air Interdiction (AI), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD). The TACPO may engage enemy forces using advanced technologies and weapon systems to direct lethal and non-lethal fires and effects in close proximity to friendly forces as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). Additional TACPO training may include, but are not limited to:

US Army Airborne School - Three week course at Fort Benning where attendees learn the basics of static-line parachute operations.
Joint Terminal Attack Controller Qualification Course - Four week course at Nellis AFB, NV where attendees qualify as JTACs.
Air Force Special Tactics TACP Advance Skills Course - 12 week course put on by the Special Tactics Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. where ST TACPO learn and enhance necessary skills required to operate within USSOCOM units.
Ranger Assessment and Selection (RASP 2) - Three week selection course for senior NCOs, Officers, and Warrant Officers for leadership positions within the 75th Ranger Regiment. RASP 2 tests candidates on their physical and mental capabilities while learning the special tactics, techniques and procedures of the 75th Ranger Regiment. (Note: TACPOs assigned to the 17th Special Tactics Squadron (the Air Force unit assigned to provide TACP and TACPO to the regiment) must attend RASP 2.)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2020 11:31 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 11:31:28 -0500

If you want them to cut you loose before your contract is up, that can depend on a ton of factors, your MOS, how over-strength or under-strength it is, your component etc. You're going to need a DD-368: that is, a conditional release that's basically saying "We're allowing you to leave the National Guard on the conditions you do x and y, if you fail to do this in the time we've given you, you're coming back to the guard" that has to be signed by the first general officer in your chain of command. Your unit can choose to bless off on it, or not, sometimes that helps, sometimes it doesn't. This process can take a very long time, I'm currently in the middle of it myself. If it gets denied, you're more or less stuck, so all you can really do is keep sending it up until it gets approved or wait until the end of your contract.

If you're waiting until your contract is up to transition, it's way easier to do, but you also have a smaller timeframe, because prior service air force billets seem fill up within 2-3 months of the fiscal year starting.

As for the actual process, basically, you'll get in contact with an Air Force recruiter, who will get you in contact with a Special Warfare liaison, and that liaison will be your mentor to get you physically ready to take the PAST test so you can ship. It's basically a special PT test the Air Force gives anyone who's entering all the cool guy career fields. You cannot ship until you pass it. Once you take care of that, you're administered the PAST again when you actually get there, and if you pass, you'll again move on to the actual TACP pipeline.

It's super important to note that the Air Force is changing the way all of the Special Warfare career fields work, and you will basically be "open contract" as a special warfare candidate, and will go through an evaluation and be told what you qualify to train into. That could be any of, or none of the jobs you wanted. So if you're waiting a couple years, the way it works may be radically different, and you may not even be guaranteed TACP even if you complete the indoctrination program like you would be now.

Just some food for thought though.

Response by Maj Rob Drury made Mar 4 at 2020 6:08 AM

Maj Rob Drury — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 06:08:19 -0500

Unlike in the Army, you must possess a functioning brain to be in the Air Force. Sounds like you may qualify. Good luck!

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 5:51 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 17:51:57 -0400

TACP GUNG HO! We had some guys come from army when I was in training. As far as I know, you have to finish your contract with army then just go see a recruiter when your enlistment is up you won’t have to go to basic again just straight to TACP AFSC school after selection week. That’s how it was years ago At least.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2020 6:20 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 18:20:50 -0400

It's very difficult to go prior service enlisted TACP. If you do complete your degree, then apply for 13L, you'd have much better chance.