Originally Posted by
e6bpilot
The days of helo guys transitioning platforms to fixed wing are pretty much over. Of course, there are onesies and twosies, but with manning what it is today, most communities are loathe to let their good pilots go, and the gaining communities don't want the trash. The best way, honestly, to make this happen in the Navy is to go FTS or SELRES with a VR unit and not to stay active duty and endure the pain that comes with AD officer promotion.
Best way for a guy who selects helos to get fixed wing time in the Navy:
Kick ass as a helo guy (or you are done from the start)
Go to a VT command
Go FTS/SELRES when your commitment is up
Of course, this would require the obligatory 2 year boat tour, but if your timing is good, YMMV.
I was one of the few who got a Helo to FW transition (60Bs to E-2s) and rolled the career dice and lost when the LCDR selection rates went to crap the same time I got pulled up a YG.. Ended up leaving my E-2 tour at about the 2 year mark, and as a result of how the upgrades work there have very little FW PIC (A-Time) and as a result, have been working as an Engineer vice flying. (Pay's good. Hours suck, been home 5 days in the last 3 months, and still worked 8-10 hours a day out of my home office)
Bolded the best part of E6B's advice. Jumping communities, even when it is going away (I was HSL, it was becoming HSM, and I left for VAW/VRC) is playing with fire. Luck and timing have just as much as performance, and without all three, you are up the creek.