Any Branch Transfer Info

[Hawkdriver2815]

I am currently a W01 in the Army National Guard. I just turned 25 and I am a 600 hour PC. I would like to transfer to the Air Force, my degree will be completed within the next year. I am serving in Iraq right now. Can anyone give me any insight into how hard this is? Has onyone on here done it and have nay advice for me. I have talked to recruiters while here and they don't seem to be able to help much. I am commissioned as a Warrant. I really don't care what I fly for them, obviously I would love to fly any dual engine aircraft they have however the pave hawks would work as well. Any info would be helpful, thanks alot guys.

 

[kingsize]

I'm sure there's something out there. Did you want to stay in the Guard/Reserves or go Active Duty Air Force? If guard, you would probably have to contact the units directly and see if they have anything available.

 

[Malter1]

I am currently a W01 in the Army National Guard. I just turned 25 and I am a 600 hour PC. I would like to transfer to the Air Force, my degree will be completed within the next year. I am serving in Iraq right now. Can anyone give me any insight into how hard this is? Has onyone on here done it and have nay advice for me. I have talked to recruiters while here and they don't seem to be able to help much. I am commissioned as a Warrant. I really don't care what I fly for them, obviously I would love to fly any dual engine aircraft they have however the pave hawks would work as well. Any info would be helpful, thanks alot guys.

I happen to have a student right now who is a former Warrant with the Army who flew H-60's. He is in AF pilot training as we speak. If you would like me to get you in touch with him, send me a PM.

 

['72Gremlin]

... and something your Army/AF recruiter won't tell you... you'll be eligible for the Pilot Bonus as well ($25,000/year... if it's still around).

 

[Hawkdriver2815]

Thanks

I really appreciate the help guys, I know there has to be a way to make it happen, I will probaly just keep knocking on doors until I get an awnser. I will go Active Duty if I need to although I like knowing what I am gonna fly prior to leaving for training. Although I have done some research and it doesn't look like the AF has a bad Aircraft. I am really happy where I am now in Blackhawks but I also realize that I will be in the exact same position in 10 years. Also seeing the F-16's do afterburner takeoffs evreyday here is enough motivation to keep trying. Once again thanks for the help.

 

[Slim]

If you are trying to get into a Guard unit, you will have to go through the respective states. You are reversing the flow. I know several former USAF, USN, USMC pilots who became WO pilots in the USAR/ARNG, but only know of one who went to the AF after flying in the Army.

I doubt there are any ANG recruiters in Iraq because active duty and reserve recruiters can recruit for both. But NG recruiters can only recruit for the National Guard...Air or Army. They're back here. If you find an ANG unit over there, try to get into the squadron and network.

Good luck...fly safe!

 

[schoolio]

If you are Army trained and trying to go Active Duty AF, you will have about a 99.9% chance of flying helos for the AF. If you're looking to transition to fixed wing, then the guard/reserves are your best bet. Take a look at the job openings page on www.baseops.net.

As far as branch transfers go, the Army really isn't letting anyone transfer to another service. In fact, they're begging for other service people to transfer to the Army. Best bet is to wait until you start getting closer to completing your ADSO, then start working with AF/AFR/ANG so that you don't have a break in service.

BTW, you're not commissioned as a warrant until you get promoted to CW2 and take the oath. Just FYI.

 

[Herculeus]

If your an Warrent 01 in the Guard that means you have less then 2 yrs of service correct? Why are you trying to get out? Would your unit even let you after spending all that money on you? I have a friend who flies Apaches and loves it? Maybe you should try and transfer to another Army unit. I don't understand your statement of being in the same spot in 10yrs.

 

[HoursHore]

If you are Army trained and trying to go Active Duty AF, you will have about a 99.9% chance of flying helos for the AF. If you're looking to transition to fixed wing, then the guard/reserves are your best bet. Take a look at the job openings page on www.baseops.net.
.

Every Active Duty Pilot going thru UPT has a blank slate when they show up. In fact, I think its rather hard to get Helo's in the AF, usually one a class.

Statisically speaking, I would think a new AD pilot has the best chance of getting a Herc, KC-135 or C-17.

 

[schoolio]

Every Active Duty Pilot going thru UPT has a blank slate when they show up. In fact, I think its rather hard to get Helo's in the AF, usually one a class.

Statisically speaking, I would think a new AD pilot has the best chance of getting a Herc, KC-135 or C-17.

Going to UPT, sure. Good luck getting that as an Army helo driver. I tried the same thing 2 years ago and was specifically told by the Air Force Personnel Center that because I was helo trained and not fixed wing rated, that I would have no shot of getting into UPT and would go into an officer transition program, followed by an aircraft transition program, followed by assignment to a unit.

Of course, AFR/ANG are a different story.

 

[Hawkdriver2815]

Don't get me wrong I am happy where I am and not trying to deter anyone from joining the ARMY. The Blackhawk is an amazing machine and I love every second of it. Fixed wing however just opens up so many more options for someone my age if I decide to make a career out of it someday on the civilian side, which has always been the ultimate goal. If I got KC-135s that would be perfect. I know there is a 130 wing in Kentucky for the Air Guard so I might just try to talk to them. All the info you guys offer is much appreciated, I get very impatient at times just because I have heard that you must be in training for the AF by age 27. In regards to the 10 year statement I have listened to all the senior warrants who all say if I had it to do again I would have went AF. It would be my luck that I will transfer and the guard will get the C-27 though, ha. I make CW2 in 8 days I was aware I am only appointed until next week. Thanks again for all your help guys!

 

[BAT31]

Well, I heard it on this board first, but it applies here: "Lucky for you that none of these people know what they are talking about ........."

If you want to fly in the Air Force you need to finish your 4 year degree ASAP. Don't worry about getting a commission as a W2 because that doesn't mean anything. Nothing. Anyone who says different is just blowing smoke. The point being that you will still need to get a RLO commission either in the Army or through the Air Force (OTS, AMS).

The best way to do that is to get a conditional release from your unit, and then, assuming you want Guard or Reserves, find a unit and talk to them directly. They say, "We'll hire you." That's it. The process begins. Paperwork, paperwork, pain, etc.

If you want to fly helos then you will go directly to aircraft specific training. If you want to fly fixed-wing, you will go to fixed-wing qual (no age limit), then aircraft specific training.

This info applies to the guard and reserve. I know nothing of active duty Air Force except that alot of people are trying to get out of it so that should tell you something.

On another note, helicopter flying is some of the best you'll ever do. Nothing else compares. But it doesn't translate much to a civilian career. If you realize that then you are way ahead of the game. Even as a WOJG.

Good luck. If you want alot of flight time and want to work alot in the Air Guard or Reserves, go heavies. There is plenty to do.

DG

 

[Hawkdriver2815]

Thanks for the clarification BAT. I know what you mean about helos though, I understand that I will really miss them, however I won't burn any bridges in the transfer so they will always be there. My chain of command understands, they also know that helicopter jobs are hard to come by. Even in the guard someone has to die in order to open up a slot. I am finishing my degree when we get home. I get back in NOV start at Embry Riddle in DEC. They give alot of credits for flight school and I was a crew chief for 4 years also and they throw a few at you for that. How do you like the 135's? I plan on going as heavy as possible.

 

[weekendwarrior]

600 hour PC and a WO1? How'd you manage that? Deployment?

 

[schoolio]

600 hour PC and a WO1? How'd you manage that? Deployment?

He's a 60 driver. Sometimes it's easier for them to make PC in a limited capacity. When I was in the 101st, several of my buddies (60 drivers) made PC, day only, as 1LTs. Not saying that's the case here, but just a possibility.