I submitted my "Change-in-Rate" request back in April, 2007. Finally once it went through my entire Chain-of-Command, it reached CGPC towards the middle of May. I now just found out that I have been Approved for my request, and I have all paperwork completed (flight physical & security clearance).

How long did it take you to get your orders after receiving your Approval Letter?

I tried switching my rate from AMT to AST. It took me almost 6 months total time, before I went back into the airman program. Snail mail I guess. Then I got hurt at AST "A" school, and then the command put me right back as an AMT as soon as I got back from AST "A" school.

How long ago did you try switching over to AST?

From the time you received your Approval Letter, about how longer did you have to wait in order to start back up in the Airman Program?

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I tried switching back in 2003. When I put my request chit in, it actually went through farely quickly. Maybe, it's because I was in good standing with the ASTCM. ( he was my next door neighbor). I just had to wait to complete my obligated time as an AMT. So, I waited up to 6 months I think before I went to the airman program again. Then I was a AST/AMT3 airman for 4 months.

Back in 1997 it took them 2-3 months to get back to me. Then it was 1 year till I got to go to AM school. Felt like forever but well worth the wait!

I think it took about ten months. I struck for EM3 and put on that crow 01 July 1986. The EM detailer promptly offered me my choice of Red, White, or Black. Suddenly, transitioning to AE looked really sweet so I requested a change-in-rate and was at AE school on 10 May 1987. Back then, being a PO3 put one at the head-of-the-A-school line. I figured out very quickly that such a program was Not popular with the my non-rate classmates who had waited for up to three years to get to an aviation "A" school. The EM detailer released me to aviation because, at the time, the USCG was at about 150% for EM3's because the EM2 EOCT was basically an ET test (the 110's were coming on-line and everyone wanted EM's to be able to fix them). So, anyone have an older change-o'-rate story than me? And, yes, we had trees and electricity back then (EM, get it?).

AZCoastie,
Did you recieve a letter stating that your CIR had been approved? If you did, did your letter state you had to finish your current tour at your unit or anything like that? When I changed from ET to HS back in '98, I had to wait until I finished my tour on the boat before I could go to "A" school (and lose a stripe!).
HSC