Air Force to Army? (Blue to Green) Can I keep my career field?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:48:03 -0400

I'm a very timid person (that's what I've been told at least). So just wondering if I'd get eaten alive? I'd imagine I would lose at least one rank and assume that there's no possible way I could get into the same career that I am in now (since I heard they only let E-6 and above into that career field). Thanks!

Basically I like my career field but I feel like the enlisted side gets held back.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 26 at 2014 4:37 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 04:37:33 -0400

How many years do you have in? My friend is a recruiter and I could send you his email if you want.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 10:28 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:28:39 -0400

Also I heard that in the Army you're an infantry guy first and whatever your job is second. Is that true?

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Aug 26 at 2014 10:37 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:37:34 -0400

I don't think you'd lose any rank however I have to say, the life of any SrA is guaranteed to be better than the life of dang near anyone in the Army. Haven't you seen the memes man?? Lol they're funny but there's a reason Air Force is always made fun of. Y'all have it so good!

As far as being timid, just come on over to my unit. I'll help ya out lol.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 10:42 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:42:42 -0400

This would be a cautious situation. There are not many opportunities for prior service to join the army. Pretty much if you could even get in as anything I would be impressed. If they do take prior service they usually try to keep you in the same field. Not all prior service are allowed to retrain.

Why would you leave the AF to go into the Army?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 11:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:10:18 -0400

I'm not exactly an outgoing type-A individual but I've managed to survive for 8 years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2014 4:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 04:04:33 -0400

You prob should speak to a recruiter to see because i do think you do loose some rank from switching over but not all of it and being E-4 you may not loose any at all

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Aug 27 at 2014 7:00 AM

Jordan Gaudard — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 07:00:43 -0400

SrA Madison,
First off I want to let you know I am not a career advisor by any means. But the one thing I have going for me in responding to this is that I am currently deployed with the Air Force, under Air Force command, and even did my pre deployment training with the Air Force.
So I was reading through all the questions and responses on the page, I did skip few a couple of them. What I did not see a good response to is why you want to join the Army. So you have been in more than a couple years, you have at least reenlisted once I believe. Right now you know the Air force and understand how that system works. If you transition to Army and you keep your rank and get promoted right off the bat, you will have quite a bit of experience in the military, but not necessarily the Army. There are minor and major differences on operations in the Air Force and the Army, also how you handle Soldiers can be extremely different. What I am trying to explain to you is you already know the Air Force, if you plan on staying enlisted stay Air Force. I have been in the Army for 7 years, made E-6 at my 6 year mark. When I finally get to do the job I enlisted to do I will send you an email and tell you how excited I am. If you want to change services, go officer. I have to agree with the LT on this one.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 4:14 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 16:14:22 -0400

If you feel like you're being held back as an enlisted member, you could see about getting into ROTC or OTS and commissioning. That would be my recommendation, above trying to switch services. I don't know a lot about the other services but I will say my observation has been that the suck goes around to everybody so if you're hurting in Blue, chances are your brothers in Green are feeling the same kind of hurt. Just my $0.02

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 7:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:11:56 -0400

SrA Merino,

I was in the active duty Army if you have any questions let me know.

Response by MSgt Charles Johnson made Dec 6 at 2014 12:31 AM

MSgt Charles Johnson — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 00:31:03 -0500

lol, can't believe you censored me.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 7:13 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 07:13:35 -0500

It depends on the career field you are trying to get into. The Army has a lot of jobs that get held back too on both the enlisted and officer side. I don't think you would get eaten alive but you would have a more difficult time if you are really timid.