Flying for Navy, Marines or Air Force?

[Uncle Fester]

"Upgrade" to pilot?

If (1) the AF will let you go, and (2) if the Navy needs bodies in your YG, you probably have a shot at it.

If the Navy needs NFOs in your YG, they would probably bring you over as a FO. I have no idea if they would retread you...depends on what CNATRA, CNAF and BUPERS think of the CSO syllabus' equivalency to the Trawing 6 pipeline.

I doubt they'd "upgrade" you. I know the AF is a lot easier about that with their junior rated guys...barring medical/performance issues, the Navy either redesignates guys right away (i.e., before they class up in Primary) or makes you wait until you're done with your first fleet tour as an NFO.

As for your career in the Navy...no one gives a shit where Ensigns come from. Won't matter in the slightest...maybe give you shit about all your extra ribbons.

I answered your question about whether it was possible. If you want advice about whether it'd be a good idea... If you're looking to go Navy because you think it'll get you into the front seat, I'd stay stay in the AF. Navy redesignation does happen, but it's not easy nor common and the AF does do it more routinely (my perception, anyway).

If it's because you don't like the AF, I'd say at least give the operational side a shot before you decide to jump ship. The TRACOM is nothing like the Fleet, and I assume the same is true of the Air Force.

 

[RadicalDude]

Hey everybody,

I am a 2d Lt in the AF and about to graduate from Nav school. I wanted to switch to the Navy when I was in AFROTC but the AF pulled me back and told me that because I was contracted, I couldn't do that without jeapadizing my commission. Now that I am active duty, I want to pursue a carreer in the Navy. I understand that its possible after I finish my ADSC, but what I haven't been able to figure out is, will the Navy upgrade me to pilot, or will I have to go in as an NFO. Also if I upgrade to pilot in the AF and then transfer to the Navy, would that wreck my chances to make the Navy a career?

I was unaware upgrades were available.

 

[helolumpy]

How many frequent flyer miles do NFO's need to upgrade?

 

[ProsNest1]

Hey everybody,

I am a 2d Lt in the AF and about to graduate from Nav school. I wanted to switch to the Navy when I was in AFROTC but the AF pulled me back and told me that because I was contracted, I couldn't do that without jeapadizing my commission. Now that I am active duty, I want to pursue a carreer in the Navy. I understand that its possible after I finish my ADSC, but what I haven't been able to figure out is, will the Navy upgrade me to pilot, or will I have to go in as an NFO. Also if I upgrade to pilot in the AF and then transfer to the Navy, would that wreck my chances to make the Navy a career?

"Upgrade" or not you would be an Inter-Service Transfer (IST). USN has zero AVN IST quotas in FY12 and trending that way for FY13 as well. Beyond that and you are now too long in the tooth (in terms of YCS) to bring over. Fester's final line of advice is golden.

 

[BusyBee604]

How many frequent flyer miles do NFO's need to upgrade?

Don't know 'bout frequent flyer miles...but here's an interesting ticket to upgrade NFO to NA. When I was an IP in the A-4 RAG VA-44 in '69, a young LT checked in from advanced as a cat I RP. Amazingly he was wearing a 3-row rack including Navy Cross, AMs etc., stunning! One of the most amazing stories of the VN air war.

Briefly, He was an NFO "back-seater" in an RA-5C "Viggie" from Kitty Hawk in '67, when bagged over the NVN coast. Landing in waist high surf, he was captured immediately by several NVN soldiers. Shortly after, he overcame & killed one captor with a hidden pistol, engaged the other in a pistol vs rifle firefight... while wading through the surf to a waiting helo. Hoisted aboard and delivered back to KH.

For the interesting details on this courageous 'Jg's ordeal, just GOOGLE LTJG Frank Prendergast and it's all there. It took a set of "steel cajones", just to be a Viggie NFO, let alone fly in it in combat. Because of the circumstances of the escape, he had to be sent home. Given his choice of orders, he selected upgrade to NA, and headed to P'Cola. I Left the RAG while he was still there, lost track of Frank, but noted that he retired as CDR. Sadly, he passed in 1998???
View attachment 10876

*Renegade One, was he by any chance related to you?
BzB, in awe!

 

[HU16Flier]

haha yeah before I put my balls in a sling, the AF calls it an "upgrade" if you move from CSO to pilot or RPA. Thanks for the advice though

 

[Gatordev]

Because of the circumstances of the escape, he had to be sent home. Given his choice of orders, he selected upgrade to NA, and headed to P'Cola. I Left the RAG while he was still there, lost track of Frank, but noted that he retired as CDR. Sadly, he passed in 1998???

Why was that? Was it because he would now be wanted for murder/espionage in NV? Is that any worse than already being being a war criminal?

I think everyone one of us would like to think that we could take on our captives and escape to safety, but to actually pull it off...that's impressive.

 

[Herk_Airlifter]

haha yeah before I put my balls in a sling, the AF calls it an "upgrade" if you move from CSO to pilot or RPA. Thanks for the advice though

Take it from someone who has been in the AF a few more years than you that the transition is not called an "upgrade". You will need to give the AF a pound of flesh before they will even consider letting you separate or do an IST. Your chances of leaving the AF for the Navy prior to finishing your ADSC are very slim - unless the AF does another RIF board (Reduction In Forces).

I would caution you in using the term "upgrade" as that will make you VERY unpopular at your operational squadron. You will need to prove yourself as a CSO before you will even be considered for a transition to pilot. Have a great attitude, get some deployment experience, be the best CSO you can and then apply for the pilot board.

What aircraft are you going to?

 

[BusyBee604]

Why was that? Was it because he would now be wanted for murder/espionage in NV? Is that any worse than already being being a war criminal. Yes[/quote]

Kinda sensitive - Think...
BzB

 

[MIDNJAC]

Being a war cranial is much worse.....

 

[Flash]

Why was that? Was it because he would now be wanted for murder/espionage in NV? Is that any worse than already being being a war criminal?

It was common practice in WWII to send folks home who had escaped or evaded capture and I would guess the thinking was similar in his case, it would make him even more of a target/prize and almost certainly marked for death if captured again. I guess that would make him a double war criminal? Kind of like double secret probation?

I think everyone one of us would like to think that we could take on our captives and escape to safety, but to actually pull it off...that's impressive.

He was the only one to do that in Vietnam and the only American 'prisoner' to have escaped 'captivity' in North Vietnam, I have seen the incident mentioned in several books.

 

[Gatordev]

It was common practice in WWII to send folks home who had escaped or evaded capture and I would guess the thinking was similar in his case, it would make him even more of a target/prize and almost certainly marked for death if captured again. I guess that would make him a double war criminal? Kind of like double secret probation?

That all makes sense, I just was asking since they were sending him back through the pipeline to, presumably, go back to the fight as a pilot. Especially during a war that didn't really have a set time line, even less so than WWII.

 

[Flash]

That all makes sense, I just was asking since they were sending him back through the pipeline to, presumably, go back to the fight as a pilot. Especially during a war that didn't really have a set time line, even less so than WWII.

At least it would delay the hard decision about what to do with him next, it would be another guy who would have to figure it out 2-3 years down the road and the bureaucratic passing of the buck is all that really matters, right? At least this time the stuckee got a good deal out of it!

 

[BusyBee604]

That all makes sense, I just was asking since they were sending him back through the pipeline to, presumably, go back to the fight as a pilot. Especially during a war that didn't really have a set time line, even less so than WWII.

The word back at VA-44 at the time, was that he could be detailed only to non-combat scheduled A-4 Squadrons, i.e. Med cruises only.
BzB

 

[HU16Flier]

Take it from someone who has been in the AF a few more years than you that the transition is not called an "upgrade". You will need to give the AF a pound of flesh before they will even consider letting you separate or do an IST. Your chances of leaving the AF for the Navy prior to finishing your ADSC are very slim - unless the AF does another RIF board (Reduction In Forces).

Thanks for the heads up! Thats what what everybody else seems to call it here (even some of the instructors). I actually find out tomorrow afternooon. I want u-28s followed by slicks and RJs.