CPT Private RallyPoint Member 4160474 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am an Engineer Officer with a year left on my contract (followed by a 3 year IRR) with a mechanical engineering degree and a focus in aeronautical engineering. Looking at all the news about the Air Force being short on pilots and having a hard time retaining them I figured I would be a good candidate. I cannot do an inter-service transfer so I am looking at getting out and then trying to commission through the Air Force/ The 10+ recruiters I have talked to do not know if this is possible and won&#39;t even help me determine if this is possible. 2018-11-26T16:42:38-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 4160474

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am an Engineer Officer with a year left on my contract (followed by a 3 year IRR) with a mechanical engineering degree and a focus in aeronautical engineering. Looking at all the news about the Air Force being short on pilots and having a hard time retaining them I figured I would be a good candidate. I cannot do an inter-service transfer so I am looking at getting out and then trying to commission through the Air Force/ The 10+ recruiters I have talked to do not know if this is possible and won&#39;t even help me determine if this is possible.

2018-11-26T16:42:38-05:00 2018-11-26T16:42:38-05:00 2LT Private RallyPoint Member 4160537

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes sir, it sure is. Once you’re finished with your Army contract, you can separate from active Army, and apply to the pipeline you’re interested in. It may be possible to talk to someone ahead of time, I had already boarded and been selected to start training as a cyber officer for the Air Force before I left my seat as an Army 1SG

2018-11-26T17:12:39-05:00 2018-11-26T17:12:39-05:00 MSG Frank Kapaun 4160576

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Have you talked to a USAF Officer recruiter?

2018-11-26T17:24:56-05:00 2018-11-26T17:24:56-05:00 SGM (R) Antonio Brown 4160856

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I know that the Air Force is hesitant to take Army personnel. But when they do, the window of opportunity is small and all the stars have to align just right. If the Air Force Recruiters did not help then you may have to reach out to the Air Force Academy or an Air Force rep at the Pentagon. Anything is possible.

2018-11-26T19:32:17-05:00 2018-11-26T19:32:17-05:00 SGT Jim Ramge, MBA 4163625

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Michael, PM me...

2018-11-27T18:16:48-05:00 2018-11-27T18:16:48-05:00 CDR Michael Goldschmidt 4165408

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It has a lot to do with your age. It used to be that you had to get your wings by age 29.

2018-11-28T10:51:01-05:00 2018-11-28T10:51:01-05:00 Maj Sean Barnes 4189119

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It is difficult but talk to a air force reserve recruiter it is a easier path. Plus the type of aircraft makes the decision more selective. A C130 or C17 pilot might be easier to get than a F22 or F16 pilot training. Also age has a lot to do with it when training a fighter pilot the younger the better.

2018-12-07T08:00:09-05:00 2018-12-07T08:00:09-05:00 LTC James McElreath 4201436

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>While on deployment to Kosovo we had an Army Blackhawk driver that was in the process of switching over to the USAF. He too wanted to fly fixed wing and to the best of my knowledge he did switch over. I do not think having ones commitment would matter, due to being capable of finishing in the USAF. But just a guess on that.

2018-12-12T01:20:55-05:00 2018-12-12T01:20:55-05:00 Lt Col Paul Maxwell 4283378

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Possible. Not easy, but if you can find an interested and knowledgeable recruiter, can be done. I branch transferred from ARNG (after 8 yrs active army), into AFRES. Took some time...and even longer if you will need aviation medical clearance process etc to quailify. Given you have about a year left in AD, the timeline may work out nicely. Agree strongly with the post from Maj Barnes, you may find easier pathway for reserves... but your first year(s) will be active duty for training...and reserve pilots/flyers have many options, including active duty tours as well. Keep digging and asking...the shortage isn’t going to solve itself quickly, and you already have some boxes checked ( healthy enought to be AD, you have some security clearance status... two initial stumbling blocks for many. Good luck

2019-01-13T13:48:33-05:00 2019-01-13T13:48:33-05:00 Capt Private RallyPoint Member 4348191

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Very very possible. There are even options to do it before your contract expires. I know a lot of people that do it. The biggest restriction is age.

2019-02-07T08:27:25-05:00 2019-02-07T08:27:25-05:00 2LT Private RallyPoint Member 7751725

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How did this work out for you?

2022-06-29T21:35:21-04:00 2022-06-29T21:35:21-04:00 A1C Pamela G Russell 7753701

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am not a recruiter, but I have known Vietnam vets who did their time in their chosen service and re-enlisted to a different branch. I would speak to someone in JAG or maybe a Reserve Officer and see what kind of answers you get.

2022-06-30T21:58:46-04:00 2022-06-30T21:58:46-04:00 2018-11-26T16:42:38-05:00