USNR To USMC Date of Rank

[spankey]

So I'm a Navy Reserve officer, looking to go to Flight School. I have been commissioned for less than 4yrs, and I would very much like to become a Marine Aviator. So, I think the roadmap looks like getting conditionally released from the Navy, maybe conditionally resigning my commission…?, then OCS, TBS, and on to P-cola, provided all those things go good, the stars align, etc...
So I do this… what does my date of rank look like if I commission again via OCS? I REALLY hate to lose my date of rank, mostly cause the pay, but I wondered if anyone had any experience with this? I have heard rumors (credible because I know the people concerned) that if I do this, it would be possible to have my date of commission retroactively changed (back to my original date). Anyone know anything about this?
I may have been selected by an Air Force Reserve Sqdn to learn how to fly their multiengine turbo prop aircraft, but there is no Yut there, and I have doubts. Maybe I should just shutup, and drink their blue koolaid…? Anyone older and wiser than me have any advice regarding this?

 

[MIDNJAC]

I can't give you advice, but I do know of a guy who was a few years ahead of me in NROTC doing something similar. Was an A-pool ENS waiting for an epic amount of time to class up, USMC needed pilots, and they accepted him over. Not sure of the details, but I *think* he simply swapped commissions, got his wings, and then did TBS.....but again I'm not positive. The intent was for him to class up and get started, and sidelining to TBS would have done the opposite. From similar stories I have heard, I'd guess you'd only be looking at doing TBS, vice OCS+TBS, but maybe the more senior Marine types around here with experience in this will chime in and correct me if I'm wrong/giving bad gouge. Regardless of the process, timing is going to be important for you.....when I left flight school about 8 months ago, the last thing the Marines needed was more cat 1 jet pilots....not sure if this was true across the board for USMC aviation though.

 

[Harrier Dude]

If the Navy lets you out of your contract (or if it expires), and if the Marine Corps accepts you.......

.......then you would keep your date of rank, go to TBS, and then API. Lots of big ifs there.

There is a message out on a interservice transfer board that the USMC does each year. Google it or search around here for a similar thread.

BTW, if you could reset your DOR, I would do it. Don't think it's even possible, but don't be in too much of a hurry to get senior. You'll be slightly behind your year group peers as it is.

The more senior you get, the less you fly and the more redass there is.

Good luck.

 

[Swanee]

Going to TBS as a winged aviator (and possibly a Captain at that). Wow, the possibilities...

My company CO was always telling us he was the only pilot in the company. I can see it now, from the back of the room comes a lonely voice: "Actually, sir, I earned my wings of gold..." He would be a demigod among men akin to Hercules or Achilles. I may have possibly given my left nut to meet such a man who had the credentials to tell an overbearing and self-important SPC off.

 

[DocT]

Flight school does not really equal experience. I would be really careful about shooting my mouth off publicly to an aviator who's btdt in the fleet.

What's the saying..."Wings just get you in the club. Deployments let you drink at the bar."

 

[spankey]

Transfer

Thanks for the info. If I did keep my original DOR, I'd be 2 yrs into Captain before I got to the fleet. Now that you mention it, that sounds like a recipe for becoming a desk jockey right quick.

All things considered, I'm not sure about the blue side. I know everybody says the bases are better, family life better, etc. BTW, I have 2+ yrs of sea time, so I know what that is.

Anyone have any comment about flying experiences on either side? I know the guys and the training would both be second to none, but I'm concerned that all the AF Reserve guys worried about is whether they can get the Delta Airlines scheduler to give them a good trip next rotation...That doesn't really fit who I am, but maybe thats not how it is..?

Thanks