"C.D. Damron" wrote in
How did the FAA accept military time when the military pilot
lacked a license, let alone a type-rating?

FAR 61.73 deals more with getting an FAA certificate than logging
flight time, but it does explain some of the thinking.

Section 61.73: Military pilots or former military pilots: Special
rules.
(a) General. Except for a rated military pilot or former rated
military pilot who has been removed from flying status for lack of
proficiency, or because of disciplinary action involving aircraft
operations, a rated military pilot or former rated military pilot
who meets the applicable requirements of this section may apply, on
the basis of his or her military training, for:

(1) A commercial pilot certificate;

(2) An aircraft rating in the category and class of aircraft for
which that military pilot is qualified;

(3) An instrument rating with the appropriate aircraft rating for
which that military pilot is qualified; or

(4) A type rating, if appropriate.

(b) Military pilots on active flying status within the past 12
months. A rated military pilot or former rated military pilot who
has been on active flying status within the 12 months before
applying must:

(1) Pass a knowledge test on the appropriate parts of this chapter
that apply to pilot privileges and limitations, air traffic and
general operating rules, and accident reporting rules;

(2) Present documentation showing compliance with the requirements
of paragraph (d) of this section for at least one aircraft category
rating; and

(3) Present documentation showing that the applicant is or was, at
any time during the 12 calendar months before the month of
application --

(i) A rated military pilot on active flying status in an armed
force of the United States; or

(ii) A rated military pilot of an armed force of a foreign
contracting State to the Convention on International Civil
Aviation, assigned to pilot duties (other than flight training)
with an armed force of the United States and holds, at the time of
application, a current civil pilot license issued by that
contracting State authorizing at least the privileges of the pilot
certificate sought.

(c) Military pilots not on active flying status during the 12
calendar months before the month of application. A rated military
pilot or former rated military pilot who has not been on active
flying status within the 12 calendar months before the month of
application must:

(1) Pass the appropriate knowledge and practical tests prescribed
in this part for the certificate or rating sought; and

(2) Present documentation showing that the applicant was, before
the beginning of the 12th calendar month before the month of
application, a rated military pilot as prescribed by paragraph (b)
(3)(i) or paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section.

(d) Aircraft category, class, and type ratings. A rated military
pilot or former rated military pilot who applies for an aircraft
category, class, or type rating, if applicable, is issued that
rating at the commercial pilot certificate level if the pilot
presents documentary evidence that shows satisfactory
accomplishment of:

(1) An official U.S. military pilot check and instrument
proficiency check in that aircraft category, class, or type, if
applicable, as pilot in command during the 12 calendar months
before the month of application;

(2) At least 10 hours of pilot-in-command time in that aircraft
category, class, or type, if applicable, during the 12 calendar
months before the month of application; or

(3) An FAA practical test in that aircraft after --

(i) Meeting the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of
this section; and

(ii) Having received an endorsement from an authorized instructor
who certifies that the pilot is proficient to take the required
practical test, and that endorsement is made within the 60-day
period preceding the date of the practical test.

(e) Instrument rating. A rated military pilot or former rated
military pilot who applies for an airplane instrument rating, a
helicopter instrument rating, or a powered-lift instrument rating
to be added to his or her commercial pilot certificate may apply
for an instrument rating if the pilot has, within the 12 calendar
months preceding the month of application:

(1) Passed an instrument proficiency check by a U.S. Armed Force in
the aircraft category for the instrument rating sought; and

(2) Received authorization from a U.S. Armed Force to conduct IFR
flights on Federal airways in that aircraft category and class for
the instrument rating sought.

(f) Aircraft type rating. An aircraft type rating is issued only
for aircraft types that the Administrator has certificated for
civil operations.

(g) Aircraft type rating placed on an airline transport pilot
certificate. A rated military pilot or former rated military pilot
who holds an airline transport pilot certificate and who requests
an aircraft type rating to be placed on that person's airline
transport pilot certificate may be issued that aircraft type rating
at the airline transport pilot certificate level, provided that
person:

(1) Holds a category and class rating for that type of aircraft at
the airline transport pilot certificate level; and

(2) Passed an official U.S. military pilot check and instrument
proficiency check in that type of aircraft as pilot in command
during the 12 calendar months before the month of application.

(h) Evidentiary documents. The following documents are satisfactory
evidence for the purposes indicated:

(1) An official identification card issued to the pilot by an armed
force may be used to demonstrate membership in the armed forces.

(2) An original or a copy of a certificate of discharge or release
may be used to demonstrate discharge or release from an armed force
or former membership in an armed force.

(3) Current or previous status as a rated military pilot with a
U.S. Armed Force may be demonstrated by --

(i) An official U.S. Armed Force order to flight status as a
military pilot;

(ii) An official U.S. Armed Force form or logbook showing military
pilot status; or

(iii) An official order showing that the rated military pilot
graduated from a U.S. military pilot school and received a rating
as a military pilot.

(4) A certified U.S. Armed Force logbook or an appropriate official
U.S. Armed Force form or summary may be used to demonstrate flight
time in military aircraft as a member of a U.S. Armed Force.

(5) An official U.S. Armed Force record of a military checkout as
pilot in command may be used to demonstrate pilot in command
status.

(6) A current instrument grade slip that is issued by a U.S. Armed
Force, or an official record of satisfactory accomplishment of an
instrument proficiency check during the 12 calendar months
preceding the month of the application may be used to demonstrate
instrument pilot qualification.