Is it possible to switch from being an Infantry Officer to being an Aviation Officer?

2018-08-12T14:56:30-04:00

Would like to switch branches before I start BOLC. Is this possible and how?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2018 2:59 PM

2018-08-12T14:59:11-04:00

There was a Milper Msg on this, check out thr AV branch page on HRC. There should be something on it.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Aug 12 at 2018 4:07 PM

2018-08-12T16:07:38-04:00

I knew a infantry NCO who went on to become an Apache pilot, and Warant Officer. I guess it’s possible.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2018 4:46 PM

2018-08-12T16:46:24-04:00

Sir CPT Private RallyPoint Member is correct there is a current milper message about just this topic. If I was near my computer I would look it up. Check it out and see what the requirements are. At a minimum you will have to pass a Class I flight physical and the SIFT. I would begin studying as soon as possible and ensure you are prepared to take it. You can only take it twice and if you receive a passing score it is yours forever. If I can help in any other way please let me know.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 12 at 2018 6:57 PM

2018-08-12T18:57:24-04:00

Work on the branch transfer packet now.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 12 at 2018 7:12 PM

2018-08-12T19:12:07-04:00

When I was in, I did the aeromed eval for Navy NFO, I was never able to intersvc, however, I should certainly think you could by all means apply to all flight school program!s in all svcs, not necessarily solely Army...however, you should also include mav/NFO.WSO program!s, not solely pilot/aviator, also look at USCG and the NOAA Commissioned Corps, as well...it'd help to omow what your bachelors was in, your GPA, if you've done amu hrad school, of you were a STEM major at all, and any FAA sport or private pilot ratings you have...of there's a mil aero club near you, use it, and go for sport pilot, private pilot, instru!EMT rating, and multiengine as well, to increase your chances....if you can apply for orientation rides in rotary wimgz of allowed where you are at all, you could always seek to be allowed to go IP on one, as well...one guy I knew on active got to do T-38 check ride in AFROTC, he'd explained to me...elaborate if at all possible, I'd be most eager to hear more, by all means....I'd also read of transitioning from commissioned to warrant to do it, I've seen !material on here about tat, I'm not saying you'd want that, !merely that I'd seen !mention of it, of course....

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 11:57 AM

2018-08-13T11:57:50-04:00

It depends. Are you active or reserve? Because I doubt you can switch your branch before BOLC if you are active, but if you are reserves, then there MAY be a chance. You will have to talk to your branch manager.
Also, I want you to know that you will have an opportunity to switch branches later in your officer career, when you hit CPT. So keep that in mind!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 14 at 2018 12:59 PM

2018-08-14T12:59:54-04:00

How the heck can you swap, unless you are trained to be an Aviation Officer? Also why in the heck didn't you decide that route prior to commissioning?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2018 7:16 AM

2018-08-16T07:16:03-04:00

There is a milper for officers to switch into aviation this fall. Packet is due by SEP 30th. You have to be in certain year groups, and if you haven't finished BOLC, then you don't have a year group. I applied last year about 6 months after I finished BOLC and was put on the wait list probably because I didn't have any OERs or enough time in service to really see what kind of officer I was. You'll have to probably wait for future years. Just keep checking. There is a milper that comes out every year for this. I just wouldn't expect to do this fast or quickly.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Dec 4 at 2022 4:39 PM

2022-12-04T16:39:40-05:00

I think last century, the Army Air Corps (silver wing with gold prop) was revived and officers from the branches that allowed pilots, Infantry was one, switched to AAC. The only exception that I am aware of is MSC still pilots the Dustoffs.