Posted on Aug 25, 2014
TSgt Contracting
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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.
Posted in these groups: United states army logo ArmyUsaf logo Air Force
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CPT Senior Instructor
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Edited >1 y ago
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?
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TSgt Contracting
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CPT (Join to see) Makes sense Sir.

The good thing about officers in my career field is they normally move up to system level acquisitions (which is where the money is on the outside). For an enlisted person to get that luck, you'd have to know someone who knows someone or get super lucky. That's pretty much the only difference besides being groomed for leadership roles.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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If you considering a transition I would look into the officer field. You may or may not have a degree but going to another branch as enlisted is pretty hard this times.
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TSgt Contracting
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CPT (Join to see) Yes Sir, bad times for everyone.
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MSgt Craig Washington
MSgt Craig Washington
11 y
I'm not sure what your job is but if you still want to serve I heard the Australian military is looking for folks in particular career fields. They can maintain the same rank, plus I think the pay is better. Just another option.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
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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.
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TSgt Contracting
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SSG V. Michelle Woods Thanks for not saying no!
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SSG V. Michelle Woods
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Glad you noticed that TSgt (Join to see) lol ;)
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CPT Senior Instructor
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Sorry I didn't see any of the Star Wars. I thought going to war would be better. It turns out it was.
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SrA Ronald Moore
SrA Ronald Moore
6 y
44 years ago when I was taking such test,They wanted to see where I would" Place " My scores was that of being A Security Police,Or Fireman Specialist,They needed More Fire Protection Specialist where they commanded me to eventually go, And it was easier to just stay in My AFSC and Go places like Okinawa,Looking over the Pacific ocean,By passing Alaska,
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Capt Radar Navigator
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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
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Air Force to Army? (Blue to Green) Can I keep my career field?
SSG Aircraft Mechanic
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I'm not exactly an outgoing type-A individual but I've managed to survive for 8 years.
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TSgt Contracting
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Hopefully I'd survive if I switch over.
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SSG Aircraft Mechanic
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TSgt Contracting
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SSG (Join to see) Thanks! I appreciate it.
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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.
TSgt Contracting
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SSG Jordan Gaudard Thank you Sir. I appreciate your input!
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Another big change, no my Ma'am and Sir, also will never reference someone by their first name again if you join the Army. I gave up trying where I am at now, I came to the realization I am Jordan for as long as I fly with Air Force pilots.
SGT Team Leader/ Truck Commaner
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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
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TSgt Contracting
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Also I heard that in the Army you're an infantry guy first and whatever your job is second. Is that true?
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TSgt Contracting
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Well I take it that rank is everything though? At least that's what they tell us over here about the army. Since we deploy jointly with the army that mainly want an NCO just because of that leverage compared to if an airman went and no matter what the experience is. When I 'deployed' I bought something for the Army and dealt with a Capt. He treated me with respect and didn't question what I told him. Actually he complimented me on being a low ranking person and having a lot of responsibility, and helping him out.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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That respect thing is going to have to be earned. At least in combat arms. I came in as a PFC. I accepted being treated like crap until I was able to prove my value. It is not like that all over the Army. Out side of combat jobs they are a bit more refined.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SSG V. Michelle Woods
>1 y
Of course he did. 1. You are an Airman and that alone carries some weight in the intelligence and competence categories. 2. He's an officer. That's what they're suppose to do.

There are a lot of great leaders in the Army who will treat you with respect however the living conditions and quality of life overall just seem to be so much better in the Air Force. If I were you, I'd connect with someone who is prior AF but made the switch. They'd have the best perspective.
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TSgt Contracting
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SSG V. Michelle Woods A guy I work with was prior army then switched over to the AF Reserves. I'll have to ask him about it. I tried to get him to join RP but that isn't gunna happen anytime soon.
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SFC Mark Merino
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How many years do you have in? My friend is a recruiter and I could send you his email if you want.
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TSgt Contracting
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I'll have 6 years in, and sure, thank you. Still trying to keep my options open even though the doors are shutting fast.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
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TSgt (Join to see) You can call him on his work cell [login to see] and ask for SFC Yamil Lorenzo. He knows that you will be calling. He is an active Recruiter so it will be real time info. Good Luck.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
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TSgt (Join to see) He is on here as well. I think he's on as we speak.....
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TSgt Contracting
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SFC Mark Merino thank you Sir. I'll give him a call tomorrow if I get some free time from work.
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SSG(P) Counterintelligence Sergeant
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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.
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MSgt Charles Johnson
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lol, can't believe you censored me.
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