Is it possible to transition from Army enlisted to Air Force or Navy Pilot? If so, how?

2017-06-17T16:05:29-04:00

I am currently an NCO in the Army with a goal of becoming an ATP certified pilot. I have been considering becoming an Army Warrant Officer for a while, but I REALLY want to fly fixed-wing. I am currently working on my private pilot's license and will have completed and passed my PPL checkride by August. Is this transition possible, and if so how should I go about it?
Respectfully,
Tyler Parker

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 4:08 PM

2017-06-17T16:08:45-04:00

I did it. Was also an nco in the Army now I'm a fresh out of navy OCS butter bar packing up for flight school. Message me with any specific questions you have I'd be glad to help. It was definitely worth the effort

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jun 17 at 2017 4:34 PM

2017-06-17T16:34:23-04:00

I have no advice on how to go about it, just wanted to congratulate you on working towards your PPL! I started mine in High School, and finished it 20 years later... Good luck on your check ride! Believe it or not, your military training makes it much easier as you know how to prepare. Best of luck!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 4:42 PM

2017-06-17T16:42:48-04:00

Need a degree and a great AFOOT score . Then find an ANG unit that flies. Call the recruiter at the 117 ARW. I am pretty sure we have pilot openings. We will send you to the Deid and you can fly as much as you like

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 6:53 PM

2017-06-17T18:53:55-04:00

Here are my 2 cents. Don’t go into the Navy thinking ATP. Go into it because you want to be a Naval Officer and Naval Aviator. It’s not a guaranteed to get fixed wing, and who knows how many hours you will end up with. If you want hours go Army Warrant, but you don’t want rotary wing. Second option is USAF heavies, but you can run the risk of getting drones.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 6:54 PM

2017-06-17T18:54:10-04:00

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 17 at 2017 7:30 PM

2017-06-17T19:30:30-04:00

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member Bloody Hell, Another Want to be Navy Fighter Jock. Anything is Possible and I say Go For It. Some of My Favorite People were those that were Shoe Horned into a Navy Fighter Plane.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2017 5:07 PM

2017-06-20T17:07:22-04:00

The Army has a little known secret, it does have a huge fleet of fixed wing aircraft on top of helicopters. The Army has multiple fixed wing aircraft from RC-12s to MC-12s to Dash 8s. If you apply for warrant and try hard enough, there's a good chance you can get it when selection time comes. It is available now as an option for new pilots going through flight school. It's the 155 series Warrant Officer MOS to be specific, however you can't apply for it when initially putting in your packet. You have to put rotory wing aviator then choose it during selection after your finish IERW.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Jul 22 at 2017 1:07 PM

2017-07-22T13:07:19-04:00

I'm old and retired, but long ago and far away I was an 11B3V that went to WORWAC. After graduation and making WO-1, I waited the minimum required time and applied for REGULAR ARMY (RA). I flew helicopters for six years and was selected for the fixed wing transition. I flew fixed wing until my retirement picking up my BS degree and FAA ATP along the way. Ironically, I retire today (07/22/2017) from the FAA. So be All you can be! Go for it! Good luck.

Response by SPC Travis Grizzard made Sep 27 at 2018 2:18 AM

2018-09-27T02:18:07-04:00

The PPL will help, get your degree, and apply for a direct commission in the Army or the Air Force. Having the Army wings does help, and they do have transition courses from one aircraft to another.

Response by SSG Fred White made Oct 2 at 2018 6:34 PM

2018-10-02T18:34:34-04:00

It shouldn't be to hard to transfer. You'll need a bachelors degree, class I physical, be enrolled in flight school prior to your 26th birthday and they want you to come in with your SEL license, you're working on that so once you get it that's another feather in your cap. If you're looking to make it your career in the military, put in for what you want to fly. If you're looking to jump into the airlines shoot for transport AC, 130, C5 etc. You'll clock more time and be in a team. Depending on the need, fighter jocks sometimes get the shaft. More gung ho, individual, non crew oriented BS. I have flown with pilots coming from all branches, flying all types of AC. The only tough transition is Rotor to fix wing, another BS situation. If you're in college major in something that gives you a fall back, and the airlines like to see other interests. My degree is in Aviation Management, it's almost as useless as the MRE tp. When I interviewed with the airlines the Chief pilots were like great a degree in aviation and a 4.0. I got things like, didn't you have a life? Anyway any recruiter can help you out. It's a big commitment but it's a blast. In my civilian ground school we had a fair amount of former military pilots. It's cool because you're with your brothers, you speak the same language, hang out and they know the deal. It's a fair amount of studying. If you have good study habits that's a huge plus. You can actually take courses on all that stuff, time management helped. I don't know all the particulars regarding prerequisites because they change by need, just like the civilian world. Right now is a good time for a young guy to jump in. You'll see, it's cyclical. 1 year they won't stop calling the next they won't answer. It's all common sense. If you have a base nearby stop in. They have recruiters waiting to sign you up. The hardest part of flying is getting your foot in the door. Once you do, rock and roll. Good luck.