Some Army pilots cut from flying can transfer to the Navy. But not all.

The Navy is planning to take dozens of Army pilots who were cut in a massive reduction of the land service’s aviation corps. 

But of the hundreds of Army pilots that officials estimate might be looking for a spot, the Navy is likely to only have slots for, at most, about a quarter of them.

A Navy spokesperson told Task & Purpose that the service is looking to take around 75 Army pilots who have completed initial flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

“This is not a new or standalone recruitment program, but the Navy has a long-standing tradition of interservice transfers between service branches when the opportunity aligns,” the Navy official said. “Interservice transfers are a standard opportunity to align experienced talent with mission requirements and provide a clear path for continued service in uniform.”

Last year, Army officials said they planned to cut thousands of aviation jobs, including pilots, as part of its shift to more uncrewed aircraft, the service held talent panels to cut hundreds of junior aviators. Aviation talent panels ranked soldiers on Order of Merit lists. 

Those in the bottom rankings were counseled about options, which included information on transfers to a new branch like the Air Force or Navy.

According to a Navy official, eligible Army pilots who previously flew Black Hawks, Apaches and Chinooks could transfer to the Navy’s MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters and unmanned platforms, the Navy official said. 

MH-60R pilots are primarily tasked with flying anti-submarine and surface warfare operations. Those in the MH-60S also fly anti-submarine missions, but also train for a wide range of roles including medical evacuation, search and rescue, and ferrying Marines or SEALs on direct assaults of targets.

When the Army announced its cuts, one of the Army planners told Task & Purpose that the service expected the majority of cuts to come from natural attrition like retirements and job changes. That left around 300 other pilots who would be on the chopping block and counseled in the talent panels on their options to voluntarily change jobs, transfer services, or leave the service.

The last year of Army aviation cuts and major overhauls to its structure have caused blows to morale and left some soldiers questioning the fast-moving pivot towards more drones and away from human pilots. As the service planned to cut junior pilots and warrant officers, a recent retention bonus gave more insight into the Army’s struggle to keep experienced pilots, especially those in charge of flight training.

Pilot retention issues across the services

Those soldiers who do end up in the Navy will find a service nearly as eager to add pilots. Navy officials have focused on keeping trained pilots flying for the service this year with new bonuses as high as $150,000 to retain “senior aviation leaders.” 

Navy officials did not respond to Task & Purpose inquiries about the number of pilots it currently has or it needs.

The effort to retain experienced pilots in the Air Force has also been highlighted with recent Congressional proposals to increase monthly incentive pay and bonuses and give them more career options. 

Budget documents reported by Air & Space Force Magazine indicated that aircraft personnel levels are projected to decline in 2026. Bomber and fighter pilot billets are estimated to fall below 70% of manning needs in 2027.