Does the Air Force really not take prior service?

They did in the '80's. I did Basic with a couple prior service Army soldiers. TI's did a lot of yelling at everyone else, but pretty much left them alone!

I read that the Air Force after downsizing is reversing course and looking for people. Might be easier now. I may have seen the article here on RallyPoint but I don't remember where.

Don't waste your time with inaccurate info from a colleague, Ask a recruiter. I myself was prior service from Army, Mos, doesn't matter. I was 63F, tank recovery, went in Air Force as Metals Processing Specials ie.. welder.

It is possible to make the switch. I was a prior Army Reservist (a 91E). It took me 2 years to finally get accepted into an undermanned job (6C0X1, Contracting). Its pretty much a first come, first serve thing with limited slots and like any other branch, the jobs that undermanned are the ones they'll let prior service in come as. If you really want to switch over, be persistent and keep on trying! Just know that you'd be very limited as to what you can apply for.

Things sure have changed. I separated from the Air Force in 1977 as a Senior Airman in the 70250 (Admin) career field. After 3 ½ years I reentered the Air Force in the same career field with no problem. I did lose a stripe and a skill level. I ended up being an A1C and SrA twice. If I had come back in within 3 years I wouldn't have lost the stripe or skill level. I also got to pick where I was assigned and I chose Beale AFB, CA. I complained about losing my 5-level and they reinstated it. No luck getting my stripe back. I stayed in 20 years and retired a Tech Sergeant. . .

Was prior service discharged as an E-4. Cross-trained for AF I didn't have to go thru basic but I did loses a stripe

It depends on the goal of USAF Recruiting Service. When I was a Recruiter, (things could be different now) our Squadron was one of seven in our group. There are five groups in the AF Recruitering Service. Now my Squadron would give each flight a monthly goal. My Flight would get lets say 21 non prior enlistments, 1 OTS, and depending on the Career Field, we could take prior service personnel if you had a good discharge from the AF. We only accepted other branches if their skill was equal to the AF Skill. So I say to you, the Air Force does not take prior service personnel from other branches if their MOS, Job, skills do not match the AF force needs. It is even hard for a prior service Air Force member is their AFSC is not on the critical list.

TAC-P & CCT job needs are very conflict dependent. When OIF & OEF were in full swing I am sure they wanted more of them, now that things are winding down (maybe!) I don't see as much need. As others have said it's based on the needs of the air force and your ASVAB as well as your willingness to do whatever job they need people for at that moment in time.

I'm a retired AF recruiter and the short answer is "maybe". If there is a need and your prior service career field has a direct correlation, this it's possible. There are usually only a few select career fields and they are usually combat related (TACP, SERE, PJ, CCT, etc). I have also seen situations where a prior service individual could enter as a recruiter pending successful completion of recruiting school.

There are so many qualifications specific to you that only a recruiter can give you the best answer, even then it may be biased or very selective to favor the recruiter. If needed seek help from your local congressman. They can get attention when recruiters become frustrating.