Going from Navy to Army?

PO2 Michael Campbell — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:24:28 -0400

I've been kicking the idea around for about a year now. I did 6 years active duty on the Navy side, and about 1.5 years of reserve time now. I have another 1.5 years until my reserve contract expires and I want to go back on active duty. I've tried cross-rating and all sorts of methods while in the reserves to go back active on the Navy side, and it just seems that with the down-sizing, the Navy isn't bringing anybody back.

What are your guys thoughts on trying to go on the Army side of the house? I've been told by some of my local Army buddies that the Army will take prior service members, as long as you can use your old MOS to fill a needed Army slot, and most likely, that I would even be able to keep my rank. I know that I would likely have to head to Boot Camp again, and I know that I am physically fit enough to handle it.

Thoughts? Ideas? Advice?

Anything helps! Thanks for your time!

Response by MAJ Steve Sheridan made Apr 24 at 2014 4:28 PM

MAJ Steve Sheridan — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:28:17 -0400

Good that your looking into all your options.

Just a caution as the Army is reducing in numbers. Should talk with your local Army recruiting office for more details.

Not happy with your civilian job?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 4:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:46:43 -0400

When I was a LT I had a CPL Campbell who was also active enlisted in the Navy for several years before he went reserves and then decided to switch to Army for reasons similar to your own. He was one of my best junior enlisted in the company with a great work ethic and attitude. I think he was some sort of mechanic in the Navy, but he was an 88M truck driver in our distro platoon. His experience was a positive one and he was very happy with his switch. I would definitely encourage you to look into it further. I don't think you necessarily need to do something similiar to your old MOS if you don't want to. Obviously the entire military is downsizing to a certain extent, but I'd bet your prior service would probably help you secure an enlistment. Have you talked to a recruiter yet?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 4:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:47:53 -0400

Being a prior recruiter, I would say it does depend on your MOS. I remember putting in a few prior service Navy Guys, the only issue is that I had to wait for that window to open. It was not automatic.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 5:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:03:41 -0400

I switched from the Marine Corps and did some reserve time before going active. I wasn't required to attend basic training and I was promoted to SGT at my first unit. I don't regret the change;just wish I had done it sooner. Keep in mind though the Army itself is in a period of downsizing but you wont know if you dont ask.

Response by PO3 David Williams made Apr 24 at 2014 5:58 PM

PO3 David Williams — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:58:10 -0400

I went from the Army National Guard to the Navy and back to the Army National Guard. The Army is a very different beast from the Navy and you may have the same issue with downsizing. The technology side of the Army isn't what you would be used to as an FC depending on your systems.

Response by SSG Dan McIntosh made Apr 24 at 2014 8:45 PM

SSG Dan McIntosh — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 20:45:13 -0400

PO2 Campbell,

I am currently an Army Recruiter (well for the next 56 days that is) and your best bet to get the most current answer on Army regulation/restriction is to go to an Army Recruiting office and ask them.

Just off the top of my head, your two biggest hurdles are going to be MOS conversion and since you are currently reserves, you have to be released by your command. If your current unit is short your MOS, can tell you right now, they wont sign the paperwork you need to go Army, but if your unit is over strength in your MOS, then most likely they will sign the paperwork.

Just be patient as the process does take time and best of luck to you in whatever you decide.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Apr 24 at 2014 10:34 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 22:34:01 -0400

PO2 Campbell:

I knew this RM1 from the Navy and he transferred over to the Army and became a WO1. He was a hard charger, and he conveyed to me that he had a hard transition.

He did not go to Army Basic, and fortunately for him he had some Senior Warrants that took him under his wing. He became a 251 series.

Response by PO2 Michael Campbell made Apr 25 at 2014 4:35 PM

PO2 Michael Campbell — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:35:51 -0400

Thanks for all the answers guys! The recruiters got back with me today, and basically told me that the Warrant Officer program is basically my best bet, without taking a rank down and trying out for SF, so it looks like I'll be building a package for that and crossing my fingers....Now, to find a high ranking CWO that I know to endorse me.....

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Oct 8 at 2014 4:45 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:45:02 -0400

BEFORE YOU TRY THE ARMY TRY THE AIR FORCE YOU MIGHT LIKE IT BETTER TRUST ME
ESPECIALLY IF YOUR M.O.S WAS TECHNICAL...AIR FORCE AFSC MOST ARE TECHNICAL..

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 26 at 2014 7:52 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 19:52:09 -0400

PO2 Michael Campbell As you look around this room, you will see a lot of guys/gals that have switched services for a multitude of reasons. Some good, some bad, but each personal.

My advice to you would be this-when looking to make the move, pick the service that will give you the most of what you seek: MOS/AFSC opportunities (jobs), training, job satisfaction, travel etc, whatever it is you are seeking. You have time to make the decision that is best for you, which will not be the same as what is right for anyone else.

Each service offers variables, and this forum will provide you a unique opportunity to seek other like minded people who have done the same.

Good luck. I talk with guys about this fairly regularly. My advice is always the same. Let's talk, then you make up your own mind and I will support you. I would rather have someone swap service and continue to serve honorably, then just walk away....staying in gets harder and harder with each passing year.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 28 at 2014 4:13 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 16:13:50 -0400

During this time of drawdown, a lot of the old rules don't apply anymore. I would talk to an Army recruiter about the the possibility of crossing over.

Response by SPC Mike Lake made Feb 4 at 2018 9:40 PM

SPC Mike Lake — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 21:40:48 -0500

Start running two miles and lots of push ups and sit ups... I have had several Navy buddies cross over to Marines and army and love it

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Apr 20 at 2020 4:48 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:48:01 -0400

I would find a counselor who knows some things, i.e. some of the answers, who to talk to get the right answers etc...

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Apr 21 at 2020 9:04 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 09:04:33 -0400

PO2-I spent approximately two years "living with the Army", and for me personally... it was a very rewarding and broadening experience. As an officer, there are things I am unqualified to comment upon; and your rate and civil experience means some of what I have to relate will be very "general". However, here are my general observations, if they help. The Army differs from our Navy in many cultural ways. "We" are used to being both our rate... and whatever the Duty Roster decides we are for the day. The Army seems (by virtue of size) to be more about specialization. On a ship, an MS3 might also be part of the "Crash and Smash" detail, on VBSS, or assigned Force Protection duties in port. It's more likely (though not a certainty) that your duties in the Army will be more consistently tied to your MOS. The Navy seemed (at least in my experience) to identify the "Suck" as going for long periods of time without sufficient sleep (regardless of role), spending months at sea, and upholding rather arcane, and at times... ridiculous standards of protocol. In the Army, there appeared to be very different levels of "Suck", again... entirely dependent on one's MOS. If we say, "Choose your Rate... Choose your Fate"; the Army has this down to a science. A maintainer is going to be asked to fix equipment that's been woefully abused, by personnel who by virtue of their MOS, are going to expect it to be fixed because, "that's your lane". An Infantryman is going to be asked to endure the brunt of all physical discomfort and risk... while many others will get infinitely better treatment...and that too, is "their lane" (though there's no shortage of friction resulting from it). However, I also noticed that Army NCOs and officers are less rigid about the "window dressing" when in the field, or when the task assigned demands some "common sense" (though perhaps not as much as the "Gator Navy"). The Army has EXCEPTIONAL senior enlisted leaders...bear in mind every basket has a few bad apples. Also, just as a BMC and an ETC differ in how they approach things... you'll see differences between a SSG in an infantry company, and one in the S-1 shop. You may also find it "entertaining" to see junior officers a bit less "segregated" in the Army. They generally do not eat until their Soldiers have, normally share their same level of accommodations (when deployed), and (in my opinion) are expected to be more "hands on", earlier on in their careers. Believe me when I say that I've received my fair share of "chewing outs" from senior officers and senior NCOs alike as a JO... but the Army seems less concerned about "hiding" this-especially in combat arms. The other side of that coin however, is that if you're approached by an O-2 or O-3 in the Army... there's a damn good chance they will expect far greater level of deference then their Navy counterparts (especially if they are serving in a combat arms MOS). In the Navy, it's not unusual to have a senior chief as the watch section leader... with a couple of JOs in a perfunctory role "beneath" them. You won't likely see that in the Army (I had more than one first lieutenant express surprise that we often had a Chief acting as convoy commander, with an O-3 in the turret). As far as duty stations stateside go... the Navy "spoils" us a little (I know, sounds ridiculous, but stick with me) in that we're almost always near the water. As run-down as Norfolk and Little Creek are... they're a far cry more "entertaining" than Ft. Riley, Kansas. I found the DFAC to be first rate, even forward deployed... but nothing compares to Navy chow. If you're in a maneuver role, or spend any time in the field... you'll experience MREs (again, I didn't find these to be anywhere near as bad as they're sold to be). The real question may be how well you like, or hate, getting away from the Navy's somewhat "unchangeable" routine. I have no knowledge of how well or how poorly the Army manages things like education benefits, promotion, and the many other very important things to a Soldier's career. It seemed to me that just like the Navy... there are things they do better or worse than others. Ultimately, I think the most important distinction is that the "scales" are somewhat "upside down" between the Army and Navy. In the Fleet, our technical experts, weapons systems specialists, analysts, aircrews, and bridge personnel catch the limelight (Naval Special Warfare aside... because really; can we draw any comparison there?). In the Army... Infantry is the Queen of Battle; everyone else is a "POG", and how seriously (or not) you take this fact of life may ultimately influence your experience. Best wishes, and good luck!