Is it possible for prior army infantry with no other schooling to switch to airforce TACP or would I need some kind of extra training?

2022-02-02T23:11:22-05:00

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2022 1:16 AM

2022-02-03T01:16:40-05:00

TACP has their own selection with a pretty low pass rate and their own very long pipeline as well.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 3 at 2022 8:27 AM

2022-02-03T08:27:46-05:00

Extra training of course. Army Infantry makes you qualified to go Marine Infantry, and that's about it. And even then you'd have to go to Boot Camp again.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2022 11:45 AM

2022-02-03T11:45:26-05:00

First, you'd have to be accepted into the Air Force.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 3 at 2022 11:57 AM

2022-02-03T11:57:39-05:00

You need to speak to a recruiter to see if they are excepting prior service right now. AF is pretty selective because they can be.

With that said there isnt a pre req for previous training for prior service. TACP pipeline students go through all required training. Your background wouldn't necessarily hinder you but it doesnt create a shortcut pathway either.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 3 at 2022 1:15 PM

2022-02-03T13:15:59-05:00

Here's a web site that describes TACP. https://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/tactical-air-control-party-specialist-tacp

-First, you would have to enter the Air Force as a prior service recruit. Not always easy.
-Air Force Recruiter can possibly get your headed for TACP specialist AFSC. You'll need to pass physical and score high on aptitude test.
-You will probably attend AF Basic Training, then you will have over a year of very challenging training to become a TACP specialist. It's equivalent to Army Ranger school in terms of physical and mental demands. It includes things like radio maintenance and lots of survival training.
-You'll need to learn to think in three-dimensional space so you can visualize and control different types of aircraft supporting the ground unit you're with. You will work with ground attack aircraft (A10, F35, F16, FA18) and some transport aircraft (OV22, C130, C17). You'll build an understanding for what we used to call the air-land battle.

It's a very challenging and well respected career field in the Air Force. TACP are in high demand and there are few of them, so you'll probably spend as much time deployed as Army Special Forces.

Tactical Air Control Party Specialist - Requirements and Benefits - U.S. Air Force

TACP specialists imbed with Army and Marine units and have the incredible responsibility of calling in an airstrike on the right target at the right time.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2022 9:23 PM

2022-03-01T21:23:12-05:00

You will have to get a Green to Blue transfer approved and then go through half a dozen schools before becoming a qualified TACP.