Interservice Transfer (USMC to USN) in Flight School

[12345]

I'm a Marine SNA in primary. Due to a variety of reasons, I am interested in an inter-service transfer to Navy aviation. I have become extremely interested certain Navy aviation communities (namely P8s or Growlers... the missions that the Marines aren't really doing), something I wasn't really aware of when I made the choice to become a Marine. Long story short, I think my goals aren't quite what they used to be right before I commissioned.

I heard that several years ago many SNAs were being moved from the Navy to the Marines while in flight school...presumably because the Marines needed pilots (I'm fairly sure they're still hurting for them). I have googled the process and found SECNAVINST 1000.7f... the instruction that lists requirements and procedures for interservice transfers. However, it's kind of a moot point if it's going to be a straight up "hell no." I haven't really talked to anyone, and figure it's probably better to play this very close to the chest. But I don't know (1) if this would be a possibility; (2) who to ask and talk to; (3) what the process would entail. Is there anybody here who has experience with this? I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[jmcquate]

So you made it through OCS/PLC, TBS, and are in primary?.............and you want to quit? Why did you fuck with the Corp?

 

[MIDNJAC]

You are clearly being blinded by shiny (new) objects. I know that the P-8 is a direct theoretical line towards SWA employment, and that the Growler community would have you believe that they are central to every air warfare mission on the face of the earth, but there are a lot of other places to go (USMC side included) that are doing very important things as well……..don't waste your time second guessing your decision.

 

[12345]

You are clearly being blinded by shiny (new) objects. I know that the P-8 is a direct theoretical line towards SWA employment, and that the Growler community would have you believe that they are central to every air warfare mission on the face of the earth, but there are a lot of other places to go (USMC side included) that are doing very important things as well……..don't waste your time second guessing your decision.

I understand what you're saying but I have given it some thought and it is something I want to look in to. I simply don't know who to ask or who to talk to

 

[Uncle Fester]

You're much more likely to have success if you apply for an IST once you're winged and have a Fleet tour or two under your belt - a proven track record, in other words. Until then you're just another cone...so from a needs of the Navy/Corps standpoint, why would they approve an IST?

Plus, who knows? You might find you like being a flyin' leatherneck after all.

My advice is to drop this idea for the time being. If you go pinging MATSG or your stucon about a transfer, a '4More wants out of the Corps' rep may start preceding you. Then not only will you not get your transfer, but anything you ask for from here on will get a dirty eyeball. Naval Aviation is a very small company and Marine Air even smaller.

 

[Flash]

I understand what you're saying but I have given it some thought and it is something I want to look in to. I simply don't know who to ask or who to talk to

I think you would have to go through HQMC which frankly might be more trouble than it is worth at this point since your chain probably wouldn't look too favorably on you trying to get out of the Marines just at the start of your career. Your career could be adversely affected, I could even see them pulling you out of flight training. So I would keep it bottled up right now.

I heard that several years ago many SNAs were being moved from the Navy to the Marines while in flight school....

I knew several folks who did intra-service transfers in flight school but they happened when one service or another had a serious shortage of folks and the other didn't at that particular time, and they always asked for volunteers. The other folks I know who did inter-service transfers were both Marines who had completed their initial flying tours then went Navy.

 

[Swanee]

Don't bring it up. You're not going to get to switch services at this point and you'll only get the D-Bag stimga attached to a guy who no longer wants to be part of the gun club. You signed paperwork for the Marine Corps, not the Navy. You should have thought about this stuff back then.