I am an ET2 and I was thinking about switching rates to become an AET. Does anybody know what this would entail ? If so, what pubs relate to switching rates, can't find anything in the CIM 1000.6A.
If you've gotten any bonuses, you may be asked to pay them back if you haven't completed your obligation. Once you do the paperwork it will go up to HQ where the RFMC's (both the rx'ng rate and losing rate RFMC get a crack at it) will review your request and either approve or disapprove it depending how your rate is doing as far as staffing goes. Then it will go to the detailers who will usually go along with the RFMC's. As an ET, they might entertain the thought of letting you skip A school and go right out to the field with a stipulation like you complete the airman syllabus. I would also work on getting your flight physical and security clearance (you need a secret for aviation) completed because without both of those, it would be a waste of time.
Senior, with the way of the future he might need more than that depending on which COP the Coast Guard desides to work with including other stuff not appropriate for this forum. There are alot of other things to consider before even beginning the paperwork. Feel free to look me up in the Global and I would be more than happy to exspand.
As an example of a ET2 to AET lateral, it can be done. And YES, I was able to forgo another "A" school and go directly to a AIRSTA for the Airman program and then to my airframe. This is VERY recent history, as I just completed this process in June. But, I was told that would not happen again since there is a "aircrew" designation issue in the 3710 if you dont attend a avaition "A" school.
Either way, present your case in a professional manner, get your chain of command INVOLVED in a BIG way. It took quite a bit of work with the RFMC, and the Senior Chiefs of both my current and previos units to make it happen. Ask for approval from your COC to call or email the RFMC and run the lateral idea by him. No loss in trying, as long as you go about it the right way.
On another note, changing rates was a great decison for me. I enjoy the work, the mission, and the possibilities for the future. If you have any questions shoot me an email chris.m.rapp@uscg.mil
