Army to USAF
 

I am currently deployed to a small FOB in the AOR. One of the Army Officers I have worked closely with has asked me about switching from Army to AF in order to become a pilot. He is currently serving as an Infantry Officer so he would have to go to IFS/UPT. Who should he contact for more information about what would be required to make this jump?

Thanks for your help.

To the best of my knowledge, he'll have to go through a USAF Pilot Recruiter. There's no established process for that (there used to be a blue to green process, which allowed surplus Navy/AF folks to transfer to the Army, but not the other way).

If he still has an AD obligation to the Army, he will have to get a conditional release from the Army (basically army releases him on the condition he enters the AF). This sort of release is somewhat routine, and would probably be granted unless he's some high-demand/low-density capability like SOF.

My experience trying to do this a few years back was that the Army laughed at me when I had an ANG unit willing to hire me if I could get out, but I had a couple years left on my ADSO. That was more during the surge and perhaps different times, but with the Army growing again, I'd bet they wouldn't be too thrilled about it. My $.02...that may not be valid any longer.

If OP's friend is done with or nearing his ADSO, it's just a paperwork drill to either do an inter-service transfer if staying AD, with various wickets to overcome (getting the AF to agree to it, getting a UPT slot, passing a FC1 physical, taking the AFOQT/TBAS). If going to the guard, it's pretty similar to going AD to ANG as far as getting out then swearing back in, but again all the UPT "rushing" and getting hired has to occur, FC1/AFOQT/TBAS need to be done, etc. Ideally, he'd get all the wickets out of the way, take his required tests/physicals while on AD, get conditionally "hired" by ANG/AFRES/USAF, then go AD to new position with no break in service. Also, if he has over 5 years commissioned time in service or will be 30 by the time he'd enter UPT, he'll have to have waivers as well.

Current officer, prior service, in state residence, having a private pilot license or better, are all pluses for applying to ANG units.

Would an in service recruiter have the gouge for the paperwork wickets required to make the jump?

Thanks for everyone's responses!

Since the OP's username includes KC-135, I suspect you are one of the best options for advising on the USAF specific information such as the dynamics and importance of the AFOQT. If you or the interested Army officer are near or collocated with Pedro, some of those guys made the transfer several years ago before the USAF stopped plucking rotor pilots. USAF officer recruiters are hard to track down. I suggest studying for a SAT type test and figure out how/where to take the AFOQT concurrently with other research.

My experience is dated (about 35 years old); however, the guys I saw trying to leave the Infantry to become an ARMY pilot were treated as worse than traitors by their superiors and peers. I hope it has changed.

(FWIW, I was commissioned in the Infantry with follow on orders to flight school in 1982, before there was an Aviation Branch. I was always singled out for "Special Treatment" going through IOBC [carry the M-60 on road marches, carry the mortar base plate, weekend duty, you name it.])