[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!