Is it possible to switch from the Army to become an Air Force Pilot?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 16:42:38 -0500

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't even help me determine if this is possible.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2018 5:12 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 17:12:39 -0500

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

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Nov 26 at 2018 5:24 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 17:24:56 -0500

Have you talked to a USAF Officer recruiter?

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Nov 26 at 2018 7:32 PM

SGM (R) Antonio Brown — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 19:32:17 -0500

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.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Nov 27 at 2018 6:16 PM

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 18:16:48 -0500

Michael, PM me...

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Nov 28 at 2018 10:51 AM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 10:51:01 -0500

It has a lot to do with your age. It used to be that you had to get your wings by age 29.

Response by Maj Sean Barnes made Dec 7 at 2018 8:00 AM

Maj Sean Barnes — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 08:00:09 -0500

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.

Response by LTC James McElreath made Dec 12 at 2018 1:20 AM

LTC James McElreath — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 01:20:55 -0500

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.

Response by Lt Col Paul Maxwell made Jan 13 at 2019 1:48 PM

Lt Col Paul Maxwell — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 13:48:33 -0500

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

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 8:27 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 08:27:25 -0500

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.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2022 9:35 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 21:35:21 -0400

How did this work out for you?

Response by A1C Pamela G Russell made Jun 30 at 2022 9:58 PM

A1C Pamela G Russell — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 21:58:46 -0400

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.