Cross Commission from AF to Marines
05-03-2010, 08:06 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by BaconUSMC
Don't sell the AF helos short, though...those pave-low (sp?) SH-60s are pretty sweet.
HH-60 Pave Hawk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In terms of cross commisioning, you're going to need to do your own homework on that. It's a fairly well-kept secret that graduates from all the service academies can select commisions in any of the services. To select Marines, though, there will probably be some sort of summer program (similar to Bulldog for the USNA Marines-to-be) which will require a few fun-filled weeks in Quantico to see if you can spit-shine your rifle and shoot straight with your boots, I may have that backwards...it's been awhile. Bacon
USMCFLYR
05-06-2010, 10:32 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
Interesting how bad you want to fly helicopters and haven't once mentioned the Army. I'm not advocating necessarily doing it because I am trying to make a switch out of the Army to fly fast movers, but I'll throw out my $.02. I tried to cross commission when I graduated from USMA..another story for another thread. In that process I learned quite a bit about transfering. First, you could most likely make the switch fairly easily since the manning of the junior officers in the Army is hurting more than the other 3 services. You are guaranteed helos in the Army, and depending on how you play your cards you can get some really good assignments. You can also get bad assignments, long deployments, and staff jobs. In your 6 year commitment upon completion of flight school, you can plan on solid flying jobs for 2-3 of those years, potentially more. When not in the line pilot jobs you will still fly your minimums-about 100 hrs a year. While the Warrant Officers stay flying most of their career, many commissioned guys end up flying quite a bit as well.
Just another thought if you really want to fly helicopters. Good luck.
Just another thought if you really want to fly helicopters. Good luck.
05-08-2010, 01:07 PM
#23
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2010
Posts: 5
FlyArmy,
I had looked in to the Army to fly, and time and time again I had been told that I would fly the first 3-4 years and then onto something else so the Warrant Officers could continue flying.
I have heard that they don't really let the officers fly since they have the Warrant Officers. If that's not necessarily true, then I will have to look further in to it.
Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!
I had looked in to the Army to fly, and time and time again I had been told that I would fly the first 3-4 years and then onto something else so the Warrant Officers could continue flying.
I have heard that they don't really let the officers fly since they have the Warrant Officers. If that's not necessarily true, then I will have to look further in to it.
Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!
05-08-2010, 01:42 PM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
Posts: 6,248
Happy to downgrade
A friend used to command an Army Reserve helicopter unit. Some time after he had retired, they were short of IPs and asked if he would be interested in coming back for a while. He said: "OK, but all I want to do is fly and instruct. Swear me in as a Warrant Officer." So that's what they did. 
05-08-2010, 03:06 PM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: Leftof longitudinal
Posts: 1,899
mbless,
Good on ya. Follow the heart so Uncle Sam can get his due. I did same, to stupid to go academy <g> so went USAF ROTC and Marine PLC OCS.
In my by gone era, USMC was little short in aviator production, and many got rotary if any flying at all. Had already turned down the Army WO "high school to flight school' Helo slot (which was a the best for rotary and a sweet deal BTW). So ended up with a DD-214 from USMC, got USAF UPT slot to Vance, but, got hit by jeep and lost same as NPQ on pre commissioning. USAF wanted engineers, so had orders to become an engineer. Loved the USAF to much to inflict said stupidity on the team so asked for a transfer to Navy to fly. Miracles happened, USAF DD214 and went to Pensacola as Navy said nothing counted <g>.
Follow the heart is my opinion. Great folks in all the services, alot like airlines, you are on an escalator as opportunities go by, jump on the one that you wants you and you want them too. As far as desk work, no one should be offended, especially senior officers. You get the lobotomy as an 0-4 (all services, as a Navy O-5 they require spine removal (believe that is a DOD 'purple' requirement now). As an 0-6, well , lets just say the lower groin hurts for about 3 week after surgery <bg>
Good luck!
Good on ya. Follow the heart so Uncle Sam can get his due. I did same, to stupid to go academy <g> so went USAF ROTC and Marine PLC OCS.
In my by gone era, USMC was little short in aviator production, and many got rotary if any flying at all. Had already turned down the Army WO "high school to flight school' Helo slot (which was a the best for rotary and a sweet deal BTW). So ended up with a DD-214 from USMC, got USAF UPT slot to Vance, but, got hit by jeep and lost same as NPQ on pre commissioning. USAF wanted engineers, so had orders to become an engineer. Loved the USAF to much to inflict said stupidity on the team so asked for a transfer to Navy to fly. Miracles happened, USAF DD214 and went to Pensacola as Navy said nothing counted <g>.
Follow the heart is my opinion. Great folks in all the services, alot like airlines, you are on an escalator as opportunities go by, jump on the one that you wants you and you want them too. As far as desk work, no one should be offended, especially senior officers. You get the lobotomy as an 0-4 (all services, as a Navy O-5 they require spine removal (believe that is a DOD 'purple' requirement now). As an 0-6, well , lets just say the lower groin hurts for about 3 week after surgery <bg>
Good luck!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
