Quote:
Originally Posted by rickair7777
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.