Transitioning to Fighters In Guard/Reserve
02-01-2022, 07:38 PM
#21
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Good to know it’s not impossible. I guess if I really want to make it happen then I’ll need to do it through the guard/reserve and will need to really be determined. I’m sure there will be lots of “no”s, but with the way the airlines are hiring and if things heat up in the world and a need is there, something could potentially happen.
Outside of bombers, is there any heavy that might translate better towards the fighter world? AC-130J? C-130?
Outside of bombers, is there any heavy that might translate better towards the fighter world? AC-130J? C-130?
02-02-2022, 06:50 AM
#22
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Joined APC: Oct 2009
Position: long haul
Posts: 126
It is absolutely possible to go from heavies to fighters. The RW transition is possible as well, but a different discussion than what the OP wanted. Our squadron did both with multiple people. Results were mixed. The older and more senior folks generally did worse. Going through IFF and 38s already a rated guy is not easy. You need to **** and drink the Kool aid as painful as that will be. You need to think of it as starting over again, because that's what it is. As a major it is really hard to come in as a wingman and learn a whole new skill set.
It seemed to me that this was way easier to do in the guard being a state organization. Hiring an 03 to junior O4 isn't hard. The manning documents are full of those positions. The most important thing is to find a unit that will hire you. When I called the shots, I was very reluctant to hire from this pool. There is a lot of baggage hiring people like this. I still did it, but you have to have very clear expectations for training and progression. Fighters is a very time heavy commitment for a new guy. Someone has to be willing to swallow some pride and put in the work to survive and be a killer. BL, possible, but fraught with peril for both sides.
It seemed to me that this was way easier to do in the guard being a state organization. Hiring an 03 to junior O4 isn't hard. The manning documents are full of those positions. The most important thing is to find a unit that will hire you. When I called the shots, I was very reluctant to hire from this pool. There is a lot of baggage hiring people like this. I still did it, but you have to have very clear expectations for training and progression. Fighters is a very time heavy commitment for a new guy. Someone has to be willing to swallow some pride and put in the work to survive and be a killer. BL, possible, but fraught with peril for both sides.
02-02-2022, 09:13 AM
#23
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Joined APC: Oct 2021
Posts: 298
Originally Posted by pony172
It is absolutely possible to go from heavies to fighters. The RW transition is possible as well, but a different discussion than what the OP wanted. Our squadron did both with multiple people. Results were mixed. The older and more senior folks generally did worse. Going through IFF and 38s already a rated guy is not easy. You need to **** and drink the Kool aid as painful as that will be. You need to think of it as starting over again, because that's what it is. As a major it is really hard to come in as a wingman and learn a whole new skill set.
It seemed to me that this was way easier to do in the guard being a state organization. Hiring an 03 to junior O4 isn't hard. The manning documents are full of those positions. The most important thing is to find a unit that will hire you. When I called the shots, I was very reluctant to hire from this pool. There is a lot of baggage hiring people like this. I still did it, but you have to have very clear expectations for training and progression. Fighters is a very time heavy commitment for a new guy. Someone has to be willing to swallow some pride and put in the work to survive and be a killer. BL, possible, but fraught with peril for both sides.
It seemed to me that this was way easier to do in the guard being a state organization. Hiring an 03 to junior O4 isn't hard. The manning documents are full of those positions. The most important thing is to find a unit that will hire you. When I called the shots, I was very reluctant to hire from this pool. There is a lot of baggage hiring people like this. I still did it, but you have to have very clear expectations for training and progression. Fighters is a very time heavy commitment for a new guy. Someone has to be willing to swallow some pride and put in the work to survive and be a killer. BL, possible, but fraught with peril for both sides.
Right now I’m a 2nd LT. I’m thinking if I could maybe make this transition while I’m a young Captain it might be the best bet. If it were to happen for me in the next couple of years, I would still be under 30 or right at it. Do it while I’m still young and in the mindset of being ready to learn/start all over again. I appreciate your input and advice.
02-02-2022, 08:44 PM
#24
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Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A shack in Kailua
Posts: 290
Originally Posted by Fly4FunAA
Good to know it’s not impossible. I guess if I really want to make it happen then I’ll need to do it through the guard/reserve and will need to really be determined. I’m sure there will be lots of “no”s, but with the way the airlines are hiring and if things heat up in the world and a need is there, something could potentially happen.
Outside of bombers, is there any heavy that might translate better towards the fighter world? AC-130J? C-130?
Outside of bombers, is there any heavy that might translate better towards the fighter world? AC-130J? C-130?
02-03-2022, 04:40 PM
#25
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Joined APC: Oct 2021
Posts: 298
Originally Posted by paulcg77
None that I can think of, other than maybe flying the AC-130 in an operational environment under AFSOC/SOCOM, but even that is a stretch. If you want to fly commercially/121 eventually though, the C-40 and P-8 are great.
02-04-2022, 06:00 AM
#26
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Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,171
Originally Posted by Seven6SevenDCA
Know one fella - went from C-21 to F15E.
Another transitioned from C141 to A7 (USAF Reserve / ANG)
Of course quite a few go the opposite direction after leaving Active Duty.
Another transitioned from C141 to A7 (USAF Reserve / ANG)
Of course quite a few go the opposite direction after leaving Active Duty.
02-04-2022, 08:28 AM
#27
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,676
Originally Posted by galaxy flyer
I’m pretty sure the A-7 guy flew the -38 in UPT. Probably the F-15E, too.
02-04-2022, 01:41 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by tnkrdrvr
The transition to the heavy or fighter/bomber tracks in UPT pretty much killed guys going from heavies to fighters. There have been some cross flow boards since then, but they targeted the guys who went heavies out of 38s due to a lack of fighter pipeline spots. The AF has decided that setting up a special course just to convert heavy pilots into IFF grads is cost prohibitive due to the limited time to recoup the investment. I’ve heard rumblings that the T-1 may be retired and a single track system reestablished. That would return a great deal of flexibility to how we manage pilots. However, the USAF is very good at never missing a chance to miss a chance.
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