How do I go from Air Force to Army?

2018-08-02T00:52:10-04:00

So when I first joined the Air Force I wanted to have a medical job (particularly aerospace medical servics). I went in as open general but got security forces instead. I just hit my 2 year of my 4 year mark and I’m wondering if there’s a way to go into the Army as a Combat Medic 68w. What would be the best steps. Thank you.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Aug 2 at 2018 3:51 AM

2018-08-02T03:51:47-04:00

You are going to need to finish your contract with the Air Force and then try to join the Army as a prior service applicant. The downside to that is that the Army may not be accepting any prior service at that and the Air Force may not either. Have you considered trying to change your MOS when your reenlistment window opens?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 11:22 AM

2018-08-02T11:22:28-04:00

ok...no easy answer b/c there are several variables that could come into play. If this is your true desire and you want to be an Army Medic (68W). I would speak to an Army Recruiter first to get the current status. If the Army needs more Medics then you could be in luck but I would wait until you are 1 yr from ETS. The Recruiters could set you on Delayed Entry and get you in the day after your ETS so there is no break-in-service. If I am not mistaken there used to be a Program for Blue-to-Green but I am not sure if they are still doing it (I Retired in 2015). Enlisted Medical MOSs can lead to other programs such as the AMEDD Nursing Officer Commissioning Program and a multitude of others. All Enlisted Medical Training now is at Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio, Tx) reguardless of service branch, so if you can manage to switch your AFSC to Air Force Medic you will get the same training. The Regulations and Recruiting Missions are very fluid based on the needs of the services so I would check with Army Recruiting regularly.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 6:20 PM

2018-08-02T18:20:56-04:00

Knowledge is power; Army guarantees it’s job training, I’m sure you weren’t thinking about that when you joined the AF though. Best route is to leave without damaging your reentry codes i.e...no admin separation, no fail to train...etc. When you leave, let your recruiter know you are prior AF check your GT and ST scores, you 105 GT and 107 ST for 68W as of June 2018. Good luck!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 10:01 PM

2018-08-02T22:01:25-04:00

If you try to get out of the AF early, they will give you an RE code on your 214 that will prohibit you from ever coming back in.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2018 12:06 PM

2018-08-04T12:06:21-04:00

Stop it. Abort. Stay Air Force. Look I’m a medic and it may seem cool ( and sometimes is) but it’s really a good job. You stay a basic level emt, I mean the nation registry is a perk but it’s still a minimum wage job on the outside. If you choose to do it, I’d push hard to become a flight medic at a minimum for the paramedic cert. This is my opinion and doesn’t reflect the whole Army but as a whole it’s pretty toxic. The reason most branches are jealous of the Air Force is how much better it treats it’s soldiers and how much better you treat each other (on average.)

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Aug 4 at 2018 11:31 PM

2018-08-04T23:31:46-04:00

If your after a military "Medical" identifier, in my opinion these would be my recommendations in order of best to least:
1. USN Independent Duty Corpsman Enlisted Classification HM-8425/HM-8494.
2. USN Hospital Corpsman Enlisted Classification NEC) code of HM-0000
3. USCG Health Services Technician
4. ASAF Pararescue Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1T2X1
5. USA Special Forces Medical Sergeant MOS 18D20
The Navy and Coast Guard enlisted Medical careers are designed around remote locales where ones skills are honed beyond the civilian counterpart. the Air Force's Para Rescue I don't believe has a "Civilian" counterpart unless you're looking at the federal LEO after the military The US Army 68W program was developed during a "Peace" time status between the end of the "Cold War" and our current "crusade" with "Religious Zealots", so EMT Basic with a little bit of CMA is what you'll get, however, if you really want to "GO ARMY" I'd recommend the 18 Delta course for the overall superior training over the 68 W.

The reason Para Rescue and 18D is at the low end is not because of skill or training, but rather the amount of time you could be out of communication with a significiant other, these may not be good career choices if personal relationships are not strong.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2018 5:06 PM

2018-08-07T17:06:40-04:00

Why on God's green earth would you want to leave the Air Force!!!??? I was a 68W. Whenever we went through Bagrahm, we were depressed. You guys have it great!!! You will not like the Army side after being in the Air Force

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 8:53 AM

2018-08-10T08:53:25-04:00

Are you looking for something medical that will easily transfer to a civilian career? I would say talk to your medical branch recruiter or your officer strength maintenance recruiter about the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP). If you really want to go Army then talk to your local AMEDD Recruiter. It’s a challenging program that is difficult to get into so still explore your other options as a fallback, but it will be such a rewarding career without the immense amount of student debt that a civilian program would cost. It’s a win win really wether you are planning to stay in until retirement or just until your commitment is complete. You come out as an LT,and you will have a masters degree from one of the best PA programs in the country.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 12:54 PM

2018-08-10T12:54:34-04:00

I went from Army to AF as an Aircraft Loadmaster. Best job in the AF. You’re already in the AF, go see career counselor and request 1A2X1. AIr Crew Incentive Pay isn’t bad either. If you really have a hard on for healthcare, inquire about the AET career field. (Aeromedical evacuation technician)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2019 10:09 AM

2019-01-01T10:09:09-05:00

If you’re going to do it, do it early. I am a certified flight/critical care paramedic and since the AF has no real use for that kind of specialty, I tried to go 68W(F) and could not because I had too much active duty time. From my experience, the AFMS has become more focused on mirroring civilian medical management practices, specializing in non-acute chronic illness with the unmatched ability to outsource medical care. I understand the resistance most that people have when it comes to the Army but, having a significant history of supporting Army Ops and deployments , I have found those particular units took medicine significantly more serious than most Air Force units ( base upon action vs discussion) and valued high risk/low frequency skills more so than the AF (Something that was recently discussed by the Defense Health Review Board). There are some units in the AF that provide opportunity for medics to excel in their craft but I have found them outside of the MTFs. Be careful though. Unless you are content with eventually going back to the MTF and riding a desk or compromising your technical abilities and knowledge as a mostly administrative “medic”, you may find yourself spending A LOT of time moonlighting to maintain the level of readiness that you developed outside of the MTF. That may not be the RULE bit it has been MY experience in the last 16 years.

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Jan 1 at 2019 10:11 AM

2019-01-01T10:11:18-05:00

finish your air force service and join the army. This time, get guarantees from your recruiter.