How do you go from Army National Guard to active Air Force?

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:11:44 -0500

Any advice for someone looking to switch branches and also jump ship to active duty

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 9:17 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:17:20 -0500

Those are pretty disparate choices. What is your thought process?
Are you looking for certain skills or opportunities?

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Feb 19 at 2016 9:32 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:32:46 -0500

Go forth quickly? Seriously though, from what I've read, the Army is going through a much more significant draw down right now. I don't know the numbers or whether your MOS is affected, but I can say the Air Force is a great place to be. I have yet to find a prior service member regret their decision to "cross into the blue."

You mentioned you want to fly. Are you looking to go Officer?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 9:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:46:00 -0500

Talk to an Air Force Recruiter, They would be able first the let you know the possibilities of being accepted as a prior service, if they think it looks good then, you just need a release from the guard.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 9:48 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:48:48 -0500

I got some hints and helps. I tried joining the Air Force several times after getting out of the Army. I can tell you this that most AF recruiters either don't know how to work a prior service from a different branch.......or they don't WANT to work a prior service from a different branch. Stay on them. Go to their office daily or weekly. Call them weekly. Stay on their 6 like a starving dog with a piece of steak.

Response by SGT Matthew Reid made Feb 19 at 2016 9:49 AM

SGT Matthew Reid — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 09:49:30 -0500

Follow your heart Greg.

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made Feb 19 at 2016 10:06 AM

TSgt Dawn Premock — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:06:14 -0500

From my experience with the recruiters,
Know the job you want to go into
Make sure you have a good ASVAB score. If you don't you can retake it.
You don't have to stick with a local recruiter, sometimes going to another town you can find a recruiter who cares.
Make sure they are not in a draw down of troops!!!

Good Luck, and I can help contact me.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 10:21 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:21:47 -0500

If the Air Force recruiter seems disinterested or like they don't know what they are doing, ask if they can get you in contact with their Senior NCO who can point you to a more seasoned recruiter. From what I've seen, they usually have one recruiter per location unlike army and a central supervisor that works a region that has a handle on the quality of his/her recruiters.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 11:07 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:07:57 -0500

SGT,
You probably will be denied. It isn't you, it is a matter of you are prior enlisted and trained by the Army. The blue side of the house isn't as good about translating the training from the green side of the house to meet their needs. Though it has been a year since I last looked into the process for a soldier, I'm pretty sure it hasn't changed. You will need to transfer either to the Air National Guard, or Air Reserves, spend a year with that unit, and then apply for a transfer to Active Duty Air Force. Good luck to you.
-MSG Reeve

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 19 at 2016 11:19 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:19:52 -0500

I did that many years ago...here is my take on this:
1. Air Force does not like to take many prior service, especially from other branches (think costs.... it is cheaper for them to train someone from scratch then to train you in air force ways and pay you for time already served and potentially at a higher starting rank!)
2. If the Air Force is interested in you, it is because you have something they NEED and they are having problems filling the bill..... Infantry to security forces will not do it generally.....
3. If you are looking to go from enlisted to officer, try to have all your ducks in a row so you can work the commission FROM THE START with the Air Force. Not saying that they don't have programs such as Boot Strap or Green to Gold in the Air Force, but for a Prior.....this may be the easier way to go.
4. TALK WITH A RECRUITER. They know the numbers. They know the options.

Good luck! AF is a great branch. For a prior Army, it has moments of frustration, but overall, good.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 12:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 12:54:35 -0500

As long as the airforce gives you the ok I don't see why not. Just get with your s1, ua or rpac and talk about a conditional release (368)

Response by TSgt Anthony White made Feb 19 at 2016 9:36 PM

TSgt Anthony White — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 21:36:46 -0500

Its easy really, if the Air Force is taking prior service talk to a recruiter. I was Army Reserves for 4 yrs, switched to active Air force, I lost 2 stripes and went through Air Force basic training but it was worth it. I retired from the Air Force. Good luck.