ARMYAV8R Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 OK, so I posted this on "The other site" so here goes... OK, so I am waaaaaaaay ahead thinking about this, but I have been thoroughly brainwashed by the USMC after serving 13.5 years there as a Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. Last Nov I made the transition from the USMC Reserve to the Army Natl Guard, and have been selected to attend WOCS and WOFT. I am truly grateful that my new unit chose me, and overly estatic about this new opportunity in my life and military career. It has always been (at least since I was in High School) a dream of mine to be a pilot some day (although flying Harriers for the USMC was my dream, I am completely happy to fly helos now) and now this will become a reality *starting June 2008*. After having been on Annual Training this past monthwith the Guard, and through reading things here and on "the other site" I realize that I will have A LOT to learn, which is fine, and I understand that and am more than willing to accept that fact etc, etc.... So..here is my question. or Questions... 1. Can an Army Guard Pilot transition (in my case) *back* to the Marine Corps? 2. If so, how long do you think I would need to stay in the Guard before I can make the transition? Would I need to finish my contract or could I go sooner? *I do not want to short change my unit mind you, I want to give them the time that we agreed upon. It is more of a retohorical question* 3. Can I fly in the USMC as a Warrant Officer? *I have a mentor of mine who is a CWO5 and he flies Hueys and Cobras in the USMC Reserve* 4. Lastly, how the heck would I make this transition if I could? Thanks for all your help with this banter, I know it seems odd, and like I said...I know I am way ahead of myself..but I like to plan for things long term...oh, and being "brainwashed" by the Marine Corps does not help much either Mud is your friend, Mud is your cover, Mud, is good for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayou06 Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 OK, so I posted this on "The other site" so here goes... OK, so I am waaaaaaaay ahead thinking about this, but I have been thoroughly brainwashed by the USMC after serving 13.5 years there as a Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. Last Nov I made the transition from the USMC Reserve to the Army Natl Guard, and have been selected to attend WOCS and WOFT. I am truly grateful that my new unit chose me, and overly estatic about this new opportunity in my life and military career. It has always been (at least since I was in High School) a dream of mine to be a pilot some day (although flying Harriers for the USMC was my dream, I am completely happy to fly helos now) and now this will become a reality *starting June 2008*. After having been on Annual Training this past monthwith the Guard, and through reading things here and on "the other site" I realize that I will have A LOT to learn, which is fine, and I understand that and am more than willing to accept that fact etc, etc.... So..here is my question. or Questions... 1. Can an Army Guard Pilot transition (in my case) *back* to the Marine Corps? 2. If so, how long do you think I would need to stay in the Guard before I can make the transition? Would I need to finish my contract or could I go sooner? *I do not want to short change my unit mind you, I want to give them the time that we agreed upon. It is more of a retohorical question* 3. Can I fly in the USMC as a Warrant Officer? *I have a mentor of mine who is a CWO5 and he flies Hueys and Cobras in the USMC Reserve* 4. Lastly, how the heck would I make this transition if I could? Thanks for all your help with this banter, I know it seems odd, and like I said...I know I am way ahead of myself..but I like to plan for things long term...oh, and being "brainwashed" by the Marine Corps does not help much either Mud is your friend, Mud is your cover, Mud, is good for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayou06 Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I'll give this a shot, FWIW. 1. The short answer is yes. However, there will be a lot of preconditions. A. A college degree. B. Meeting your service obligation to the USA prior to popping smoke to the USMC. A few years ago I'd say this was negotiable, but since the Army is trying desperately to keep aviators, I'd say it'd would difficult at best prior to your service obligation. 2. See #1. 3. If flying WO in the USMC exists, I haven't heard of them (FWIW after 20 years in Army Aviation). But I am confident to say they are few and far between. Some one more knowledgable should weigh in here. 4. As I understand it, you'd have resign from the USA and apply to the USMC. I really don't hear much about interservice transfer to the USMC, mainly coming out of to the NG or USCG. Not to say it doesn't happen, I just think it's going to be a long hard row to hoe. But, if you want the USMC aviation in you future, drive on then my brother. As a bit of advise from an old dog who has worked with many former Marines, you really need to understand that the Army is not better or worse but just different. If you keep that clearly in your head, your transition to Army Avaiton will go smoother. Also, if you want to fly Jets/Harriers in the USMC, then I'd keep a weather eye out. From all that is coming out of military aviation, the AV-8 days are numbered. The OV-22 and J-35 is the future in the USMC. If you want to wrap your arms around that, then again, drive on. If you want to fly the best helicopters in the world with the best helicopter pilots in the world, FLY ARMY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARMYAV8R Posted August 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 I am not really interested in Flying Harriers anymore, and I am looking (in a long time sort of way) at the Reserves and flying helos for the Marines. I was Also thinking about Limited Duty Officers...Often these guys were WO's who are then commissioned but on a Limited Duty basis..Like I said..Just food for thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Loblaw Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 The Army is the only service that has flying WOs.... You'd have to become an officier in Marines to transition over. Also, remember that Navy/Marine helicopter pilots are trained quite differently than Army helicopter pilots. In the Navy/Marines, everyone starts out in fixed wing and transitions to either jets, heavy, or helicopters. So, with that in mind, I'm not sure how many Army guys have actually been successful in transitioning over, due to the difference in training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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