Any Marines make the transfer from active duty? Please help!

[SgtMack3029]

I'm an active duty Marine trying to submit a package but have been running into obstacles the entire time. So far I have my 368 form approved by HQMC but I still need to schedule the SIFT and flight physical. I've been working with the local Army recruiters but they don't seem very familiar with the process. My options are limited since I'm currently stationed on Oahu in Hawaii. Most of the offices I talked to knew absolutely nothing about the program and were not even willing to help. The recruiters I have now are trying to make me go to MEPS for processing just like a new recruit before they'll even work with me in scheduling anything (which doesn't seem to make sense to me). Did anyone else have to deal with this? I want to just try and schedule everything myself and get this thing moving because my 368 is only valid for one year and it took 4 months just to get it approved. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm going to Okinawa in May and i want to try and finish the process up over there and get on a board ASAP.

[Ahelopilot]

I did what you are trying to do back in 1998. I was a Staff Sergeant (MOS 6323 - CH-53E Avionics Technician). It took me about six months to assemble my packet. I got selected on the first try during the NOV 1998 board. I'm guessing the "368" is what we called an administrative action form (aka the "AA form") back in my days in the Corps. I was able to do everything on my own except for re-taking the ASVAB (my original score was high enough, but they said it was too old at the time) and taking the AFAST (Army Flight Aptitude Selection Test; this is what they used before the SIFT). I wound up flying AH-64A/D Apaches. Great aircraft.

 

If you haven't already, you should be able to call the clinic at Wheeler Army Airfield and get an Army flight physical scheduled (I have heard of Marines getting a Navy flight physical and submitting it to the Army, and it worked, but there were significant delays involved because the folks at Fort Rucker where you flight physical eventually gets sent have to translate a Navy flight physical to Army standards; just get an Army physical to avoid all that). If you don't already know this, Fort Rucker is to the Army what NAS Pensacola is to the Navy/Marine Corps. Rucker is the "Home of Army Aviation."

 

Then, I would call Chief Warrant Officer 5 Joseph Roland (http://www.25idl.army.mil/roland_bio.html). He is the Chief Warrant Officer of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Wheeler AAF. He is the person I would try to get to write a letter of recommendation. I do not know him at all. I just happen to know that each CAB in the Army has a Chief Warrant Officer of the Brigade. So, I Googled it to find out his name. And guess what else I discovered about Mr. Roland? (Yes, I said "Mr." It's customary in Army aviation to call Warrant Officers "Mr." Not a sign of disrespect at all. The tradition actually has Naval roots I believe.) Mr. Roland is a Devil Dog like us. He was in the Marines before transferring to the Army to attend flight school just like me, and just like you are trying to do. I suggest you read his bio at the link above before calling him. I have been retired since last year, so he may be able to give you more up-to-date advice than me.

 

Getting a letter from him is not as odd as it may sound to you. I did the same thing in 1998 when I was stationed at MCAS New River, NC. I simply found the number of the 18th Aviation Brigade at Fort Bragg and called them up. Told the Specialist (an E4) who answered the phone who I was and what I wanted. After a brief pause I was talking to Mr. Pranger (my first exposure to "Mr." Told him I wanted to speak with someone in the Army and he re-introduced himself as CW5 Pranger and gave me my first lesson in the Army. About the title "Mr.") :-) I told him what I wanted and how bad I wanted it--to be an Army Aviator that is. He made an appointment for me to come see him at Fort Bragg. I went and he had a letter of recommendation waiting on me. He gave it to me after speaking with me in person and making sure I wasn't a dirt bag. I suspect you might be able to do something similar with Mr. Roland.

 

Please, PM me if you need any further advice, guidance, or encouragement. Good luck and Semper Fi!

[d10]

^^ Lots of good advice there.

[PhrogGuy]

I was a Marine Reservist (CH-46 crewchief). Just finished WOCS this last week. You can have your flight physical done by a naval facility. You will just need to have them contact Lyster medical for the particulars to an Army flight physical. Oddly enough, the Navy and Army use the same tracking system (Aero) so it can all be done electronically. As far as the SIFT, college ROTC programs can administer the test and Army education centers ( so I have been told). Best info I have. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

[SgtMack3029]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't see the notifications and I just now realized you all had replied. Ahelopilot - I had the same train of thought and have already made contact with Mr. Roland a few months ago! You're right, he said he is willing to write a recommendation for me. He just wants me to finish my package first so he can take a look. Thanks for the info, I never knew that custom of calling them "Mr."

 

I've been making progress. I have my SIFT scheduled for Monday and our navy docs are doing my flight physical and entering it into aero as an Army physical just like PhrogGuy said. I contacted Ft. Rucker and they said that will work fine. Feels good to be making progress. It's been a long road. I applied for the ECP program 3 times without selection. My COC suspects it's due to the manpower reduction. I'm too old to fly for the Marine Corps so this is my last option at becoming an aviator. I leave for the MEU soon and hopefully I'll have everything squared away and can submit my package for the first board of FY15. Thanks for the replies, I sincerely appreciate the time you took to assist me. I'll stay in touch. Semper-Fi!

[PhrogGuy]

Good luck, shoot me a PM if you need anything. Semper Fi

[Lindsey]

Semper Fi

Oh hush, you.

[PhrogGuy]

Hater-ade

[SgtMack3029]

Just walked out of the test center. Got a 62 on my SIFT. Later today is my flight physical. Making progress!

[Creep0321]

Just walked out of the test center. Got a 62 on my SIFT. Later today is my flight physical. Making progress!

Told you. Good luck with the flight physical, are you doing it with an Army or Navy Flight surgeon?

[SgtMack3029]

Navy, and then sending to Ft. Rucker.