Marine Officer to Reserve Army flight

BQ09 · August 11, 2016

I am a former Marine Captain and would like to fly for the Army Reserves. Everyone I have talked to has wanted me to resign my commission and go WOFT...I dont really care about flight time. I would rather keep my commission and fly as needed but have a leadership role. I fly plenty on the civilian side to keep me happy.

Anyone on here gone a similar path and can help me find who I need to talk to?

Dnr032 · August 14, 2016

Since it has been several days and nobody else has given you an answer, I will jump in. But first, 3 more questions for you:

1. What is your Date of Rank to CPT;

2. Are you looking/talking to a National Guard unit or Army Reserve unit? There is a difference.

3. Is the unit local or reasonably close to where you live now?

And you will not "go WOFT." You will resign your Commission and be directly appointed as a Warrant Officer in the Army.

27 yr Guard guy advice.....

BQ09 · August 15, 2016

Dnr032,

I made 0-3 as I was getting out, oct '13.

I was trying to go into the reserve unit in Conroe, TX...They directed me to a recruiter and he is the one wanting me to go warrant. I know the unit is in need of a few officers.

Im not sure which I would prefer, NG or Reserves.

Thanks for the response.

Dnr032 · August 15, 2016

Thanks for the response.

Don't thank me yet.... you will most likely not like my reply!

So, don't take this personally, but basically it is a simple math problem. Think of CW2's in the Army as CPT's in the Marine Corps or Air Force. The primary job of a CW2 is to fly, be a good PC and to get tracked (IP, Maint, Tac Ops, or Safety). An Army Combat Aviation Support BN (CSAB) UH-60 Company has 1 CPT Commander, and 2 LT Platoon Leaders and 10 UH-60's (2 PLTs x 5) . The 10 UH-60's equal approximately 20 CWO's, but only 3 Commissioned Officer slots. Now given most NG units can have an over-strength, most units may have an extra LT, but will never have an extra CPT. Again, basic math problem.... only 1 slot for a CPT...... no current available slot for a CPT in the unit you want to be in.

IF, you are assessed into unit xyz as a CPT, then you are basically jumping in front of the current LT's for promotion. What do we do with them? You (FNG- unknown) are taking the slot for CPT of a LT who has been here with us for the last few years? LT xyz is a known performer.... who is this former MC CPT?

Also, you made CPT in Oct 2103. You WILL (Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act of 1996 or ROPMA) be boarded for Major in 2019 and if selected, will pin on Major in 7 yrs or 2020. IF, you are assessed into unit xyz, then you are competing for the one or two or so Major slots that are available for Aviation. What about our current CPTs? Where do they go?

I dont really care about flight time. I would rather keep my commission and fly as needed but have a leadership role...

As a Commander of an Guard/Reserve unit, I really don't give a rat's ass what you think or care. You don't want to be a WO? Fine. There is the front door, don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out... In case you have not noticed, the Army is downsizing and I have former OH-58D guy's stacked 3 deep trying to get in the unit. And honestly, they are a crap load less work (paperwork wise) to asses into the unit than you are! Plus, some of the former Army guys are less than 180 days since the last flight in in Army aircraft. You are approaching 3 yrs since your last flight in a military aircraft. Again, that increases the 'problems or issues.' Additionally, there is a good chance the Army guy is rated in the aircraft we fly, You, 100 % chance I will need to send you to AQC which = time and training money.

I fly plenty on the civilian side to keep me happy.

Good for you.... go be happy. I don't need you. Take your winy MC ass elsewhere. All you have done is complain since you got here... "Back at 29 Palms we used to do...." I don't care. Army and MC are two different cultures. Can you adjust? I don't know.... All I really care is, What are you doing to contribute to the success of the current unit today? I got plenty of former Army guy's who are wanting to join the unit.

Again, like I said in the beginning, don't take it personally. It is basically a math problem... only so many slots to go around... And you are total unknown from a different Service. It is just the way it is. Don't like it... no problem. Move on... more waiting behind you to get in.

However, if you have found a Reserve or NG unit that is willing to take you as a WO, then you need to move quickly to take that slot. Look hard at the pay charts between a CW4 and an O4. You will be surprised... a CW4 Reserve retirement is better than nothing from the Active Duty because you separated as a CPT. (I know of at least one Reserve CW5 who separated from AD as a CPT.) His Reserve Retirement is very good!

Biggest joke in my former unit: What is the difference between a CW2 and a CPT? CW2 will make CW3 before the CPT will.... (unit was full of former AD O3s)

Again, I warned you that you may not like my reply. Just my .02, take it for what it is worth. Nothing personal.

Retired 27 year, LTC Guard Commander.

UH60L-IP · August 15, 2016

Dnr032 - Very informative.

I appreciate it and it doesn't really apply to me. I am, however, an active duty warrant transitioning to a Guard unit. Already got my slot assigned, just haven't reported yet.

Lindsey · August 15, 2016

Dnr032 - Very informative.

I appreciate it and it doesn't really apply to me. I am, however, an active duty warrant transitioning to a Guard unit. Already got my slot assigned, just haven't reported yet.

WAARNG?

UH60L-IP · August 16, 2016

WAARNG?

No. I do not get along well with liberals, so Washington is out. Alabama is my home now.

Lindsey · August 16, 2016

No. I do not get along well with liberals, so Washington is out. Alabama is my home now.

Ah yes. I'm loving Yakima actually. Everything I always hated about the other side of the Cascades doesn't exist here. Traffic, hippies, traffic, clouds. Sunny Yakima is where it's at.

UH60L-IP · August 19, 2016

Ah yes. I'm loving Yakima actually. Everything I always hated about the other side of the Cascades doesn't exist here. Traffic, hippies, traffic, clouds. Sunny Yakima is where it's at.

The east side is the better half of the state.

Hotdogs · August 27, 2016

I am a former Marine Captain and would like to fly for the Army Reserves. Everyone I have talked to has wanted me to resign my commission and go WOFT...I dont really care about flight time. I would rather keep my commission and fly as needed but have a leadership role. I fly plenty on the civilian side to keep me happy.

Anyone on here gone a similar path and can help me find who I need to talk to?

Do yourself a favour for your general mental and physical health and don't join the Reserves or National Guard.

Yamer · August 27, 2016

Do yourself a favour for your general mental and physical health and don't join the Reserves or National Guard.

Well, now I'm interested. Why offer advice like that to someone that would limit their opportunities without explaining further in depth?

Hotdogs · August 28, 2016

Well, now I'm interested. Why offer advice like that to someone that would limit their opportunities without explaining further in depth?

The Retired National Guard LtCol (DNR032) was pretty vain in tone, condescending, and honestly kind of rude in his response to the Marine officer looking for advice/suggestions. What was so whiny about BQ09's posts? Unless I am missing posts from another thread. Why would anyone in their right mind want to deal with that type of personality in the Guard or Reserves? Especially if the "competition" is as great as it is right now with supposedly every swinging Army pilot trying to rush guard units after downsizing?

I could go into the cultural differences but I'm assuming you already know the friction points to which I am referring, which go away after time anyways. Honestly if I were in BQ09's position I would try to pick up an active reserve, Navy FTS, or normal USMCR gig before going to the Army Guard or Reserves. His situation might be unique due to the lack of substantial USMCR or USNR units around the country and there are guard units everywhere. Additionally just based off of his comments and timeline about picking up Capt, he is not even a winged aviator and requires a steep uphill battle getting any Guard unit to fund orders for him to army flight school, which he would require to even be a part of that unit. I wouldn't take it out of the equation but it would be last resort.