Does wanting a conditional release to commission in the Navy make me a traitor?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:24:32 -0400

I am starting the process of transitioning into the Navy as an officer candidate (to old for Army). I hope to take the OAR next month but I hate talking about this with my NCO (who voiced nothing but support) because I feel guilty. Like I am breaking the bro code. Has any one else experienced this?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 3 at 2015 1:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:27:58 -0400

Your job is to capture what leadership skills that were useful and look forward and grow some more.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 1:29 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:29:29 -0400

You aren't a traitor to your country for sure but you also aren't a traitor to your service.

Many people struggle with this same question even when just talking about changing communities or MOS's. Realize that you are still desiring to serve and that serving in your best capacity in the job you want, is of the most benefit to the nation as well.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 3 at 2015 1:32 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:32:37 -0400

Why would it? You are looking out for what's best for you. Good luck! I have had numerous sailors who got out and went to the army.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 1:44 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:44:50 -0400

I went through Chief's initiation with everyone knowing my goal was to get a commission so in good hard fun I took a lot of crap from the Chief's mess but you should know that good leaders and people will be happy for your success. Plus how could joining the Navy make you feel like a traitor?

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 3 at 2015 1:46 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:46:33 -0400

I call it career advancement. Do not feel guilty about bettering yourself. If the Army cannot provide you that path to a commission but the Navy can, then by all means go for it without regret or guilt. All branches are part of the same team and your continued service is a good thing.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 1:54 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:54:44 -0400

Come on over to the "Dark Side" brother...we have cookies. In all seriousness though; you will be adding your experiences to newer ones, which will only add credit to both services.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 3 at 2015 2:22 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:22:44 -0400

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member - No need to feel that way. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard... We are all brothers/sisters. It's not like going from being a Republican to a Democrat... :-)

Good luck, buddy...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 2:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:31:27 -0400

SGT, it's your career. Do what you have/need to do.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 3 at 2015 2:33 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:33:05 -0400

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself. Go for it!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 3 at 2015 4:31 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 16:31:30 -0400

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member, are you leaving the Army, or did the Army leave you because of your age?

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 5:30 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:30:21 -0400

Not at all! I had a Conditional Release from the Army to go Air Force. You are still serving!

(p.s., I did ok. So will you! ;))

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Sep 3 at 2015 5:53 PM

PO1 Cameron Rhyne — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:53:06 -0400

If you were leaving the Army to go work for the Russians, I could see why you feel this way. Leaving the Army for a commission in the Navy? You're still working for the same team, just in a different part of it. Hell, it's basically a lateral move in the DoD(even with the commissioning). If you can do more good as a Naval Officer then Army Enlisted and the position suits you better, it's really a win for everyone.

Though I've never believed in that "Our adversaries are the Russians. Our Enemy is the Navy" level of inter-service rivalry BS.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 6:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:23:33 -0400

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member, so you've decided to pursue bigger and better things in your military career, but for some reason, your lack of youth is a show-stopper for Big Green but not for the Navy, so what? Sure, they have an entirely different set of acronyms for everything, and it will likely take you the entirety of your OCS program plus your first year of service before you crack the code on that silly rank structure of theirs, but in the Big Picture, it's just a different team in the same league; so no, you are not a traitor! Go forward into this new chapter of your career, full steam ahead, knowing you have had the distinct honor and pleasure of serving in not one, but two of the mightiest and most formidable fighting forces in World history! You've already excelled on land, now go kick ass at sea!

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Sep 3 at 2015 6:29 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:29:13 -0400

Traitor!!!!!!!!

Seriously though, go for it, bro! It's a hell of an opportunity. I can see having divided loyalties (I reclassed from 11B to 19K and even that was difficult), but you'll get over it and so will everyone else.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Frusha made Sep 3 at 2015 6:54 PM

SPC Jeffrey Frusha — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:54:15 -0400

Inter-service transfer used to be common and I have an Uncle that was a Vietnam vet and transferred from Army to Navy. He did what he needed to do, to further serve our country, in a better capacity. Hooah!

Response by LT Charles Baird made Sep 3 at 2015 7:01 PM

LT Charles Baird — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:01:22 -0400

Go for it - the Air Force told me I was TOO OLD to be commissioned so I went and got a commission with the Navy and both the Navy and I have benefited - I personally believe age limits on commissioning are crap; your experience should come before your age.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Sep 3 at 2015 8:25 PM

SSG Toryn Green — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:25:32 -0400

Absolutely not! The military is the military no matter what branch you serve. Service as an officer in the Navy involves just as much sacrifice as it does as an NCO in the Army. You should be proud of your service and willingness to continue to serve regardless of which branch.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 4 at 2015 12:39 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 00:39:02 -0400

Unless you are joining the Russian Navy, I don't see a problem. I hope you find the right option to serve that works for you. Kudos on finding an opportunity as everything gets tighter (everyone is getting smaller).

Response by PO1 Chad Alcock made Sep 10 at 2015 1:58 PM

PO1 Chad Alcock — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 13:58:23 -0400

Hell, I refused to re-up in the Army because of the way I was treated, I actually told the retention NCO to kiss my ass. Went from 2 1/2 years in the OR National Guard, to 4 in the 1t Cav Division, to 12 in the Navy. We're all on the same team. Loved the Navy until the end.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 2:41 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 14:41:15 -0400

Considering I did the exact same thing as you're wanting to do...just reverse the services. I left active duty Navy via the Blue to Green option to go to Army OCS. I loved the Navy (I still have a lot of love for my Navy brethren, as they help shape me into the leader I am today) and I loved my job (Fire Control - CIWS technician), but I wanted a new challenge and I wanted to lead from the front. To me, the Army made sense - I would get my opportunity to lead and see combat from a different perspective. I haven't regretted my decision since - but it makes the Army-Navy game a bit awkward. If you have any specific questions - feel free to message me.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 3:12 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 15:12:26 -0400

If he can't accept that you are trying to better yourself and your career he's not a bro hah. But really, a mature adult should be happy for you and be willing to support and help you reach your goals... Army or Navy.

Response by Sgt John Summers, CPCM made Apr 12 at 2016 7:32 AM

Sgt John Summers, CPCM — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:32:53 -0400

There is a season for everything. We all have the same purpose and work for Uncle Sam. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. I started in the Marine Corps and never attended another boot camp or NCO School and was always referred to as a Marine and held to the highest standard. Remember your roots and represent the Marine Corps no matter what uniform you are wearing.

Response by PO3 David Fields made Apr 13 at 2016 5:14 PM

PO3 David Fields — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:14:36 -0400

That does not make you a traitor to anyone. You have served your country, and you wish to continue to serve your country as an officer in the Navy. Do what makes sense for you and your family, bro code won't matter when you get out and find it easier to get a civilian job when your resume has Navy officer on it.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 13 at 2016 5:27 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:27:47 -0400

Depends. Who you cheering for in the Army Navy game?
;-)

Just kidding. There is nothing wrong with your choice.