How difficult would it be to transfer services? For example Army to coast guard?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 13:11:24 -0500

This is a hypothetical question, although it would be nice to have served in more than one branch to experience the differences and learn more

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2021 1:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 13:15:09 -0500

Just ETS and contact their recruiters. Some branches are more receptive to prior service. The Army takes most everyone and all the other services have restrictions based on grade, time in service, and caps on total of PS they accept in a year

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2021 2:31 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:31:11 -0500

I was once looking at ETS and about 8-9 months out I contacted a CG Recruiter, provided you qualify it's pretty simple. Hardest part of joining the CG is qualifying for the CG.....I didn't go through with it because they would have dropped me from E6 to E4, I could handle a 1 pay grade reduction but 2 was too far for me.

Response by CW4 Keith Dolliver made Mar 13 at 2021 2:39 PM

CW4 Keith Dolliver — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:39:41 -0500

I know multiple pilots that have done it. Obviously, it's a little different for Officers, but the biggest thing is just the qualification. The Coast Guard is a very small service so they can afford to be picky because they don't need the numbers like the Army. They typically have very strict time-in-service and age requirements. You will probably also loose at least one grade, but that may be worth it for a better quality of life. I know two CPTs that switched to the Coast Guard and had to go back to being O-2s. It took them over two years to make it back to O-3 and neither one of them regrets it because they say the quality of life is much better.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2021 2:50 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:50:31 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member It would be difficult. As mentioned by SFC Private RallyPoint Member, you can ETS and contact a recruiter. You can search on "Inter-Service Transfers", then click on "Answers" to find all the other posts with this question.

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/transferring-between-military-branches-3357016

Can You Transfer From One Branch of the Military to Another?

Want to switch between the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines? Learn how to get transferred from one branch of the military to another.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2021 4:21 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 16:21:33 -0500

First and foremost you would be required to complete Coast Guard basic training. Both the Coast Guard and the Marines Corps have prior service from other branches compete basic. Also to not have a break in service you can try for a conditional release to enlist in the Coast Guard or any branch for that matter. Guard and reservists do it quite often, although it has to be agreed upon by all parties. But if you are active duty that’s another story. As others have said you pretty much have to wait until you ETS. And if you haven’t completed your total obligation, the 8 years I believe these days, then you would need the conditional release from the Army to enlist with another branch. The recruiters should take care of all that. Good Luck!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 13 at 2021 4:25 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 16:25:33 -0500

It depends on two things a straight transfer without a break in service just requires a lot of work forms. The biggest hurdle will be your mos. if the coastguard doesn’t have an equivalent you’ll be required to come in at a reduced rank. I tried switching to CG when I was a Sgt but because I was an infantry cat at the time they offered me a transfer as an E3

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Mar 13 at 2021 9:13 PM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 21:13:30 -0500

Best thing to do is talk with a Coast Guard recruiter