Transitioning to Fighters In Guard/Reserve
#11
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Oct 2021
Posts: 292
I’m actually a FW heavy pilot wondering about transitioning to FW Fighters. Glad to hear it could be possible for even RW to FW
#12
Yeah, I assumed if he was Army RW he'd have to repeat UPT. If he's an Army CW3 with a few years of rated 60 time and he gets out completely and applies for a job in an air guard unit, I assume it would be totally possible for him to get picked up, go to UPT as an O1 or O1E depending on his background, and then fly fighters. I think if he's young enough and has good FITREP/OER's and a proven record of getting through previous military training as a rated aviator and finds an air guard unit that likes him and he's willing to potentially start over (depending on his background), as you said, the sky is the limit.
If you're an O3/O4, getting a transition at the same or similar paygrade would probably be near impossible. IIRC HYT limits are cumulative across all federal services, although that may not apply to the guard? So a 12-year O4 might only have eight years available to train and serve on the new platform before facing up or out... and it might be hard to compete for O5 while flying as a wingman when your competitors are dept head, XO, det OIC, etc.
#14
#15
In that case he's basically an off-the-street guard baby who has some really good previous relevant experience.
If you're an O3/O4, getting a transition at the same or similar paygrade would probably be near impossible. IIRC HYT limits are cumulative across all federal services, although that may not apply to the guard? So a 12-year O4 might only have eight years available to train and serve on the new platform before facing up or out... and it might be hard to compete for O5 while flying as a wingman when your competitors are dept head, XO, det OIC, etc.
If you're an O3/O4, getting a transition at the same or similar paygrade would probably be near impossible. IIRC HYT limits are cumulative across all federal services, although that may not apply to the guard? So a 12-year O4 might only have eight years available to train and serve on the new platform before facing up or out... and it might be hard to compete for O5 while flying as a wingman when your competitors are dept head, XO, det OIC, etc.
About your other point, I don't know about USAF RW training but I think Army RW bros do almost everything on helos in flight school and don't get FW turbine time in primary like we all do regardless of pipeline, so I assume they'd basically be re-starting. With that said, I think if they're a rated RW aviator already, they'll have a huge leg up in UPT and they'll be a more competitive candidate than off the street civilians with a PPL or less because they've already demonstrated they can successfully get through the abbreviated firehose nature of a highly structured/disciplined military flight school.
#16
Yeah, I agree, and I didn't say anywhere that an O4 had any chance at all of either a lateral transfer or a RW to FW transition within branch. I said O3 earlier because I saw it happen with an O3 going RW to FW (in branch) but he was relatively junior and had about a year TIG and about 5 years total commissioned time when he went back to transition.
About your other point, I don't know about USAF RW training but I think Army RW bros do almost everything on helos in flight school and don't get FW turbine time in primary like we all do regardless of pipeline, so I assume they'd basically be re-starting. With that said, I think if they're a rated RW aviator already, they'll have a huge leg up in UPT and they'll be a more competitive candidate than off the street civilians with a PPL or less because they've already demonstrated they can successfully get through the abbreviated firehose nature of a highly structured/disciplined military flight school.
I agree that a RW mil aviator would make a great guard baby candidate, if it's not in the cards to skip UPT.
#17
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Joined APC: Oct 2021
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In most cases, is it just too expensive to train a T-1 guy to transition to fighters? I’ve heard of some guard/reserve units making exceptions in a few cases to hire a heavy guy and transition him to fighters. What about T-1 to bombers?
#18
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,636
Yeah T-1 track, tho I did get my wings in the T-6 with the new 2.5 program. Even guys who are going 38s now get wings in T-6s so not sure how that will change things.
In most cases, is it just too expensive to train a T-1 guy to transition to fighters? I’ve heard of some guard/reserve units making exceptions in a few cases to hire a heavy guy and transition him to fighters. What about T-1 to bombers?
In most cases, is it just too expensive to train a T-1 guy to transition to fighters? I’ve heard of some guard/reserve units making exceptions in a few cases to hire a heavy guy and transition him to fighters. What about T-1 to bombers?
#19
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Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,312
The “easiest” way to transition from the heavy track to fighters is to fly the U2 or B2. They both have the 38 as a companion trainer. Get checked out as a 38 IP and then start applying to guard fighter units. You will still have to go through IFF and a qualification course, which will hurt your competitiveness. If the airlines continue to hire at a record pace, some guard fighter units will struggle with manning due to the higher time commitment required to stay current in a fighter.
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