Phrost_Bite

Thanks for all the replies. How early would be too early to start talking to units? I haven't made any decisions yet since I'm still a lil' under three years away from my EAS, but I know the selection process can take a pretty long time. I'd like to make myself friendly, but at the same time I don't want to burn any bridges or appear indecisive. I've looked over the gouge out there on the "Gold to Silver Wings" transition about putting a package together. Would you all suggest I have something to submit when I make contact or would a phone call and/ or email suffice?

No strike training in the V-22 pipeline. The jet guys that I personally know that have transitioned to the V-22 say the performance of the Osprey doesn't compare to the jets they flew (obviously) but the type of tactical formation profiles we regularly fly do translate over well. My mentor from flight school was a retired F/A-18 stud that actually selected Cobras outta flight school and had a unique opportunity to transition to Hornets back in the early 2000's. They basically put together an abbreviated syllabus in the T-45 to get him some jet time before he went to the Hornet RAG. It sounds like if I someone is willing to hire me I'd be doing something very similar. What typical things would make me a stronger candidate since I'm not a jet guy by trade? Fit Reps, Quals, Personality?

We did the full syllabus at primary. About 90 hours in the T-6 and soloed twice. Advanced was in the C-12 another 80 hours and soloed as well. The only pure helo time is about 40 hours in the TH-57 in Intermediate. Being an Osprey guy we have more in common to a fixed wing pilot than to a helo pilot. Most of our time is in airplane mode as a twin engine turboprop. The Osprey is definitely more of an airplane that has the ability to land like a helicopter than the other way around. I spoke with a Harrier guy that was making the transition to the V-22 and he was "impressed" that we do the overhead bread at 250 knots. The tilt-rotor can do a lot of amazing things in the air, and I feel my experience in the thing can set me up to be successful in another platform as well. My concern is that if there is still a widespread perception that the V-22 is only a helicopter, that fixed wing guys will not even look my way. From what I'm getting from you herkbum it'll be a "easy" transition going to the Herc. If there aren't any positions available at the unit close to my home my other option would be the F-16's. I feel like I might have a tougher time selling myself to those guys.

I am currently a Marine MV-22 Osprey Pilot. I love flying the Osprey and I love being a Marine. However the fleet has been tough on my wife and kids and I'm not sure if my family will be able to take another 13 years of this before I retire. My initial commitment will be complete in a couple of years and I am considering applying to one of the Air National Guard Unit at my home state which operate F-16 and C-130s. I've done some research on the transition process, however I've been unable to find specific answers as to how the ANG will look at my Tilt-Rotor time in regards to UPT. From what I can tell CV-22 pilots only fly the T-6 and UH-1 in flight training. However in the Marines we also do a syllabus very similar to the C-130 pilots in the C-12. I imagine I would head straight to the training squadron for the Herc if hired. As far as the F-16 goes, would I even be considered for the position? If so and if I am able to get hired will I be required to do the full UPT syllabus and meet the age requirement (I'll be 33 at the time of my EAS)?