Before they halted transitions in the mid-90's that was where FO to Pilot transitions ended up by default, their original community. For several reasons they changed it when they restarted the program.
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NFO to Pilot
- Thread starter StinkinMid
- Start date
Before they halted transitions in the mid-90's that was where FO to Pilot transitions ended up by default, their original community. For several reasons they changed it when they restarted the program.
What were the reasons?
Turning off FO-to-pilot after the Nashville F-14 mishap was a great example of the Navy's problem-solving process. Someone spills root beer on their computer - remove all root beers from the vending machines. Problem solved.
Safety and fairness. There were concerns that folks were being put in aircraft beyond their abilities, there was some noise (not sure how accurate) that the pilot in Millington would not have been in a fighter had he not transitioned. Then there was the argument that just because someone was a FO in a plane didn't mean they should go back to it no matter the grades, obviously if they weren't see they weren't going to send them back but it wasn't exactly fair to the other studs. The only advantage to someone going back to their original community was for the career, a good reason but not as compelling as the counter arguments.
I wonder if there was any actual metrics to this. I flew with several transition guys going through Primary and they were universally ahead of their SNA peers. One went helos by choice (though I think he had the grades for jets), and I think the others went back TACAIR. If nothing else, their Tac Admin was excellent.
As an aside, I've never seen a "standard" SNA be able to completely debrief me the flight, complete with notes, while much of their flight was in the pattern. Getting 4's or more in the pattern/landing during mid-stage Fams, I'm pretty sure they must have had a third arm.
...wait for it...
I don't know but given such a small sample size I don't think it would be too hard to check (I would hazard a guess no more than 100 over the past 15 years), I think the current system is better overall than the previous iteration for that reason though.
Anyone have any insight into the age restrictions on the current program? It essential disqualifies all prior enlisted NFOs from even applying to transition.
How, is there an age or time in service limit?
Well, I suppose not all, but quite a few.
"G. REF A STATES THAT APPLICANTS FOR TRAINING AS A NAVAL AVIATOR MUST NOT HAVE PASSED THEIR 27TH BIRTHDAY AT THE TIME THE BOARD CONVENES, 25 APRIL 2016. THIS RESTRICTION IS AUTOMATICALLY WAIVED TO MUST NOT HAVE PASSED 29TH BIRTHDAY AT THE TIME BOARD CONVENES FOR ALL NFO TO PILOT APPLICANTS. AGE WAIVERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THOSE WHO TURN 29 YEARS OF AGE PRIOR TO BOARD CONVENING."
Anyone who did an enlistment, went to college, and then made it through flight school within a normal time frame, will most likely just be getting their first observed FITREP around their 29th birthday, so definitely not close to qualifying as a TACCO/MC/Etc.
"G. REF A STATES THAT APPLICANTS FOR TRAINING AS A NAVAL AVIATOR MUST NOT HAVE PASSED THEIR 27TH BIRTHDAY AT THE TIME THE BOARD CONVENES, 25 APRIL 2016. THIS RESTRICTION IS AUTOMATICALLY WAIVED TO MUST NOT HAVE PASSED 29TH BIRTHDAY AT THE TIME BOARD CONVENES FOR ALL NFO TO PILOT APPLICANTS. AGE WAIVERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THOSE WHO TURN 29 YEARS OF AGE PRIOR TO BOARD CONVENING."
Anyone who did an enlistment, went to college, and then made it through flight school within a normal time frame, will most likely just be getting their first observed FITREP around their 29th birthday, so definitely not close to qualifying as a TACCO/MC/Etc.
Have you read the current FY program message? It's spelled out pretty explicitly. I'm not sure what you're looking for here - the program wasn't designed to accommodate priors. If you're too old, then you're not eligible.
Indeed I have: the quote is from the current message. Without meaning any disrespect, that's exactly what I said; however, I'm curious as to why that is.
They're the same age requirements as for initial accessions. Think of it as one of the physical requirements, like anthro or eyesight. The grass isn't greener with one less anchor. Grow where you're planted.
So why have the program in the first place?
That comment was directed at you, since I presume you're ineligible due to your age. If you hate being a TACCO, you may still be eligible for a transition to another platform, like the Growler - which is objectively more fun than being in the tube of a P-3. 
Gray Wolves by Brett327, on Flickr
For everyone else, it's a tool for PERS, mostly. It's a chance to get another 1310 MSR out of an individual who is statistically less likely to attrite from the program than someone off the street. It's also a means of adjusting 1310/1320 manning. You'll notice that during times of adequate 1310 manning, they only select 2-3 people per FY.
Gray Wolves by Brett327, on Flickr
For everyone else, it's a tool for PERS, mostly. It's a chance to get another 1310 MSR out of an individual who is statistically less likely to attrite from the program than someone off the street. It's also a means of adjusting 1310/1320 manning. You'll notice that during times of adequate 1310 manning, they only select 2-3 people per FY.
It is a small carrot for folks who still want to be a pilot after living the NFO life for at least a tour, a brass ring to aspire to for some like astronaut. Frankly it doesn't do much at all for manning, as Brett pointed out very few folks transition at all.
As for the age limitation, shockingly enough the body doesn't do as well with certain things as it ages (my waistline and hairline are evidence of that) and there has to be an upper limit somewhere.
Haha, I don't hate the P-8. Growler was originally my goal, but that's life and I do really like where I'm at now.