Interservice Transfer

[phrog_guy]

I'm a former enlisted Marine (CH-46 avionics) currently a captain in the Army Guard on active duty in Iraq. Currently rated in the UH-60 and the CH-47. I'd like to transfer into the Marine Reserves in the Johnstown, PA unit HMLA 775 when I get back. What are the odds? If accepted, what kind of training would be required? Would I start from the beginning like all the other pilot wannabees or would they send me directly to the airframe qual course (in this case Hueys or Cobras)? Would I have to attend TBS? Would I WANT to attend TBS?

Any and all info appreciated...

 

[phrogdriver]

Yeah, you'd have to start at the beginning...OCS, TBS, all of flight school, the FRS, and a tour on active duty before getting assigned to a reserve unit as a pilot.

 

[phrog_guy]

Ist

The Marine Corps regs on IST state that officers who transfer in may sometimes drop 1 grade if not keeping current rank which would put me at least 1st Lt. if not Capt. How can a Capt. or 1st Lt. go to OCS?

 

[Herc_Dude]

Maybe not OCS ... I know the former Navy boys who were at TBS with us doin the transfer just had to come do TBS, not OCS.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Maybe phrog misunderstood that you are already a winged Army helo pilot (if I understand your post correctly). I would think that TBS and at least the FRS for whatever platform you transferred to would still be required, but I bet there is someone on here that knows the definitive answer.

 

[phrogdriver]

I did understand that. I know a Navy LT who was prior Army helos. The Navy made him do the whole flight school enchilada. I'm sure the Corps wouldn't do less. I'm sure there's some opportunity for waivers and other weirdness, since this happens so rarely anyways, but I'd be mentally prepared to do the whole thing.

On the OCS, I assumes the OP was a WO--poor reading comprehension, since he did say otherwise.

The Marine Corps doesn't do the straight-to-reserves thing.

 

[2Blades]

...I know a Navy LT who was prior Army helos. The Navy made him do the whole flight school enchilada. I'm sure the Corps wouldn't do less...

Are Army pilots even instrument rated?

 

[HeyJoe]

The Marine Corps doesn't do the straight-to-reserves thing.

Never say never. When Marines had a reserve A-4 outfit in Willow Grove a few years back, the CO was a former Navy A-7 driver and OPS was a former Navy F-4 driver who both went straight to reserves after leaving Navy as JOs. Of course, that was then. In the here and now, if there are plenty of qualified USMC aviators rated in type knocking at the door, I doubt they'd look elsewhere. The definitive answer would be to ask the unit directly.

 

[highside7r]

Are Army pilots even instrument rated?

Yes we are, do we get to fly much IFR, sadly no. H-60/47 guys have the best chance to fly instruments, AH-64 guys only have an ADF and GPS. The exception is the VIP units, who file/fly IFR all the time.

 

[phrogpilot73]

In the here and now, if there are plenty of qualified USMC aviators rated in type knocking at the door, I doubt they'd look elsewhere.

If any time was a time to do it, it would be now. Most of the reserve aviation units are hovering around 40% of their T/O. Contacting the unit and seeing what they have to say is a good start.

 

[phrogdriver]

Unfortunately for the OP, the USMC only has commonality with the USN, for the most part.

 

[skidkid]

If any time was a time to do it, it would be now. Most of the reserve aviation units are hovering around 40% of their T/O. Contacting the unit and seeing what they have to say is a good start.

Yes........but. There was a fairly recent attempt for a reserve Army Aviator to make a fast lane transition to USMC (no TBS, no Naval flight school) reserve and it did not work out well so that may be in recent memory of all. I think most reserve COs would rather be a few aviators short than be in the aforementioned situation again. Your prior enlisted time as a Marine might help.

 

[2Blades]

Yes........but. There was a fairly recent attempt for a reserve Army Aviator to make a fast lane transition to USMC (no TBS, no Naval flight school) reserve and it did not work out well so that may be in recent memory of all. I think most reserve COs would rather be a few aviators short than be in the aforementioned situation again. Your prior enlisted time as a Marine might help.

I heard about that guy getting crushed at 303 when I was a boot RAC.

 

[busdriver]

I don't know what your thoughts are on the AF, but you'd be able to go straight in after your initial qual in our version of the 60. There are more than a few prior Army pilots floating around the AF 60 community, the last big influx was 4-5 years ago, but that doesn't mean it's not an option.

 

[Clux4]

If any time was a time to do it, it would be now. Most of the reserve aviation units are hovering around 40% of their T/O. Contacting the unit and seeing what they have to say is a good start.

If it is that bad, what is USMC doing to fix it? Any future plans in the works?
How do they meet requirements to deploy?