Active Navy Pilot to ANG/AFR

[Sicario]

Sorry I wouldn’t be able to answer your question but I’m just curious on why the transfer? My top issue is deciding whether to fly for the navy or air guard before starting college, I’m trying to decide while it’s still early. Thanks for any feedback and I hope you end up finding what you’re looking for.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 1 week ago by  Sicario.

[E.T.]

Honestly, I’m more interested in not commuting for a flying Navy reserve job. Air Force and ANG have many more options and locations, particularly in the Midwest where intend to live!

[LooseLips]

I’ll bump this topic by asking a similar question. I’m approaching 13 years AD in the Navy and curious about transferring to the ANG. There used to be a 12-year AD limit on transfers, but that might have been in reference to the USAF and not the ANG. Anyone able to weigh-in on the likelihood of getting picked up as a 14-year O-4 into the guard?

[BogiDope]

@E.T. @LooseLips Transitioning from the Navy to ANG/AFR is pretty common. There are no limitations to “too much active duty time.” Most active duty to Guard/Reserve transfers are at the 12-14(ish) year mark (the AF has a 10-year ADSC post wings which equates to approximately 12 years before they can get out).

You would apply to a “Rated” board and if selected attend a Transition Course (“TX Course”) for that type of aircraft, which will take a few months.

@LooseLips, the limitation you may be thinking of is the amount of commissioned service time someone can have before attending initial pilot training. That’s 8 years before needing a waiver, but that shouldn’t apply to you if you already have Navy wings and will only require a TX Course.

[PriorNavyGuy]

I know this is a bit old, but here’s another data point from a Navy “heavies” guy too. I read a lot of the AFIs and applied a few times. Never got picked up for anything. Here’s what I learned:

Every ANG/AFR unit will categorize you as ‘rated’. If you try to apply for a community that’s not 1:1, you will likely be told that you’re not qualified for the position, since you’re not already an instructor in that AF in that specific platform. They will follow that with saying you are unable to apply for a UPT because you already have wings. Is the E-6 close enough to KC’s? Tough to say. You’d still have to Tx at their FTU, and most ANG/AFR wont want to pay for that when there’s already enough AD USAF trying to join who don’t need a Tx.

Unfortunately, this is the case for almost everybody except for the hornet guys. AF sees them a little different, and will allow it. The bitter truth is ANG/AFR both see Navy “heavies” at lower competency (sound familiar?) and it’s very very rare to get over to ANG/AFR, and when they do it’s a VR guy who flew C-130s something like that. Navy jet guys do get to switch to not only AF jets, but everything else as well, including KC’s. You’re more likely to see a Marine Harrier guy in a KC squadron than an E-6 guy. Maybe 1 guy out of every *couple* squadrons are prior Navy all together. Also, they also won’t hire >O4 because of cost, especially if you’re going to need a Tx.

But lets say, you made it to weapons school or TPS, got FRS instructor, have “combat time” (yes, they ask for this), but didn’t put on O4 yet OR FOS, then it’s still a real soft maybe. But if you need basically any part of the pipeline that you wouldn’t have got from the Navy in your community, it’s going to be a resounding ‘no’.

Since IST is pretty much non-existent, the only thing you can do is try to plan with a unit that is willing to hire you and sync resignation to hiring ideally with no gap. If there is a gap, you as long as it’s < 1 year, you’ll have minimal issues. If they want to put you in a UPT slot, make sure you can do that before you’re 33. Most units just won’t bother with the paperwork to submit for an “exception to policy” for age, and you might get stuck. That said, if you’re close to MSR, that means you’re already going to be 32 by the time you get out. Good luck!

[Husky]

@E.T. Some good data here but some mixed applications.

To clarify. There is now a pretty well-trod DON to ANG path. The cited age stuff is only a factor for UFT – you are considered prior rated so no factor.

At least in the fighter community, there’s no stigma for gold wings. Two of our current SQ/CCs are prior Navy.

Cheers,

Husky

[Husky]

E.T. It’s super common. Our squadron has three Navy to ANG retreads. We love that flow because we can cherry-pick top DON talent and make it our own.

While you’ll be most competitive for 707 type units don’t limit yourself; you’ll compete well at any C prefix unit.

[E.T.]

Appreciate the insight!

[LooseLips]

Dudes,<div>

Thank you all so much for all of the info. I’m going to do my best to digest this all this week, try to translate it to the wife who’s on deployment now, and see if this is something thst we could pursue.

I’ll definitely be back with more questions later and I’ll be sure to start a new thread with a more pointed inquiry.

Again, thanks guys.

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