As a commissioned officer who took a dedicated Guard Scholarship In college is it possible to switch to the ANG after commissioning into the ARNG. I am currently with the 140th Aviation in Los Angeles. I am currently finishing up my flight packet with the unit and I should be going to Rucker in a little less than a year. However I cannot help but wonder if I could actually fly fighters. (or hell any fixed wing aircraft instead) I had a chance to fly in the back seat of an F-16 at Luke AFB while I was in AFROTC and ever since then, I have not been able to remove the Jeremiah Weed...so to speak...frat boy squadron lifestyle from my soul. I switched to AROTC and the ARNG for the guaranteed pilot slot but still yearn to fly the viper. I would like you enlist the help of you fine people. I

s it possible to switch due to my commitment to the ARNG? (They are both under the guard bureau so why not be able to switch right?)

As a commissioned officer, would I have to attend OTS or anything of the sort?

I have already taken the AFOQT and did well. I am sure I will do OK on the TBAS. And I am a private pilot. Besides the politics and schmoozing which I will start soon, are there any other ways to pad my resume before I apply for UPT boards?

Would It be best to wait until I am already a military aviator or should I try to switch before I go to Fort Rucker?

Any other Hints, Tips, Words of Wisdom? Thanks for your time.

-New Lt looking for all the answers

Let see.....since I have no experience with switching military compenents, my word is worthless. But it seems to me that you have everything that is needed (minus the TBAS) for any Air Force dude to go about finding a fighter slot. I am switching from ANG to AFRES with just a couple of signatures on a piece of paper, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do it too. If you are already a commissioned officer, you won't need to attend OTS. As a guard guy, I doubt you would even have to go through IFS. I suggest disseminating your package as far and wide as possible, and I'm sure you would get picked up. The only tip that I can give you is persistence, persistence, persistence. If you don't hear back from a squadron, call them back. Just keep your name fresh in their minds and I guarantee they will remember you when it comes time to call on folks for interviews.

OK, my question is pretty premature because i have a long way to go, but...

Background:  5 years USMC artilleryman, Masters in Engineering Mechanics, going on 30 in August.  PPL.

I wanted to fly F-16's in the ANG and applied for a UPT slot for two consecutive years.  The last rejection letter said, your packet is great, but you would increase your chances by applying all over the country.  For me, that's not an option.  It also said i am basically nearing the waiverable age cutoff.

Now I am in the ARNG and will probably be in rotary flight school by fall.  This I am pretty confident about.  I will probably be 37 when I have completed my first contract as a pilot. 

Will the age thing still be an issue once I am a rated military aviator?

Will I have to go to OTS if I am a warrant officer?

Thanks.