Posted on Nov 26, 2017
LTJG Student Naval Aviator (Sna)
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So here's the short of it.

Before becoming a Naval Officer, I was in the Army and wanted nothing more than to fight. Just a general blanket term of fighting. Commissioned into Navy expecting to fill that hole as a pilot..But here I am, in flight school being told over and over again that unless I am in the rare scenario where I am offered tac-air (which is temporarily closed), despite Naval Aviation being so fulfilling in many other areas including prestige, I won't see any action.

It will be a cold day in hell when I DOR (quit) from flight school or anything for that matter but in the case I fail, I will not walk into the re-designation office with no pre-planned proposals for where I want to go--which is back to the Army to fight. I've done research into the Army's blue to green program as well as specific branch options but I feel I fall into a lot of grey area with it all.

So...to circle back....the short of my question is...does anyone have any information that could shed light on this transfer...should I be in the situation where I need to find a new job? Any references or people I can turn to that can assist me with this?
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Responses: 11
SP5 Peter Keane
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Interestingly, I have a great niece who's greatest desire is to go into combat with the Army. I'll tell you what I told her. Anyone who's sole motivation is combat is a fool. I have been in combat every night for the past 49 years, it is not pleasant.
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PO2 Karl Lehn
PO2 Karl Lehn
5 y
Well said man, well said. People just do not get it until that moment come upon them.......
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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LTJG (Join to see) you are already in one of the most exclusive programs in the Navy, or any US Service for that matter. A very small percent of Naval Officers qualify for pilot training. Although, I selected the Air Force for my way to a flying job, I greatly respect Naval Aviation. I recall reaching low points in my pilot training and worrying about being washed out. It was wasted worry. Here's my advice:
-Redouble your efforts to complete pilot training. If you truly want to fly, the golden wings are worth more than any Army Officer job.
-Adjust your attitude from what happens if, to what aviation opportunities can I pursue once I get my wings
-Look carefully at the way the Navy is using and assigning pilots. Talk to your instructors. If fighter-attack is closed now there's no reason to think it will be forever. Consider which Navy Pilot jobs can lead to a fighter-attach job as a second assignment. In the USAF, pilot graduates who accept the assignment to come back as pilot training instructors are setting themselves up for an assignment to fighter-attack-bomber as a second assignment.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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Edited >1 y ago
LTJG (Join to see) Complete flight school because failure is not an option. Seeing action or combat is not something to wish for. As mentioned by SSG Ray Inabnitt, complete your training and then see if you can become a Marine pilot, or what your options are.
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LTJG Student Naval Aviator (Sna)
LTJG (Join to see)
>1 y
Thank you sir. My concern is just whether the Navy would be less reluctant to release me once they have fully paid for me to get through flight school vs now. I'm not looking for battle glory or an adrenaline boost. I just want to be there for my guys when they're at their worst is all
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PO3 Emmanuel Rodriguez
PO3 Emmanuel Rodriguez
>1 y
To be honest, you will end up going to a ship. The USMC uses the same school as the Navy does. Best bet is to finish give it your all. I have a lot of pilot friends and they love their job. They stated that it’s very difficult and boring but the price is very well the effort. Don’t give up!
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PO2 Karl Lehn
PO2 Karl Lehn
5 y
I think your chances of crossing over to another branch is probably poor. But I also think you would stand a better chance becoming a Marine pilot since Navy and Marine pilots both go to the same flight school. I knew an officer back in 75 who told me when his obligatory service ended he planned to go in the Air Force. But he had to complete his obligated service to the Navy.
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