If you change branch, does you rank come along or change?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 02:54:13 -0500

Not that I want to change a branch that I'm currently part of, I'm just wondering what happens to your rank if you switch a branch. (ex. navy to army, army to airforce, airforce to navy, etc...)
Does it come along? or does it change?
In what circumstance?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2021 2:58 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 02:58:36 -0500

Do you mean branch as in Aviation branch, Armor branch, etc. within the Army or do you mean Army, Airforce etc.?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2021 6:13 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:13:20 -0500

It would depend on factors that would only be best answered by a Recruiter. Is it possible to keep your Pay Grade? Yes, especially for E4 and below. E5 and above...possible but highly unlikely. But no guarantees

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2021 7:09 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:09:53 -0500

It all depends. When I transferred from the Navy to the Army, with a break in service, I was able to retain my rank. I had a few buddies, while in the Navy, that crossed over to the Navy and lost a rank and others didn’t.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 1 at 2021 8:57 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 08:57:33 -0500

Really it depends on many things. If you want to enlist in a different Service, you need to talk with recruiters from all five other Services, Reserve, and Guard. You may find it’s difficult to join a different Service because they have limits on the numbers of prior-service members they can take. Other factors such as education and training may influence the rank a different service may offer.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 1 at 2021 9:09 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 09:09:52 -0500

It will depend on each services needs and policies at the time. Sometimes you can transfer and not lose rank, and then a few months later you can't transfer at all, and then a year later you can transfer with some loss of rank.

These things change on a regular basis, just like Army in and out calls change, and bonuses change.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 1 at 2021 9:35 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 09:35:34 -0500

it depends upon the gaining branch

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Mar 1 at 2021 10:56 AM

SSG Bill McCoy — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 10:56:23 -0500

I went from Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4 like Corporal) to PFC/E3 when I went Army; but I was out for six months or so before enlisting for the Army.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 1 at 2021 11:17 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:17:24 -0500

Depends on the Service and the skill set you bring. If you need to go back to school, odds are you are dropping some rank.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 1 at 2021 5:17 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:17:20 -0500

It doesn't have to- its like re-classing if they are only taking E1-E5 and you are E6, you either bet a waiver or go home.

Response by MSgt Bill Miller made Mar 3 at 2021 11:03 AM

MSgt Bill Miller — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 11:03:31 -0500

Going from Amy to AF in 1985 I gave up two stripes. It hurt, but it also put me in the front of the pack for promotion, and I had my grade back within a year. It also set me up for a career path that was very rewarding.

Response by PO2 Lon Hebert made Apr 10 at 2021 7:35 PM

PO2 Lon Hebert — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 19:35:36 -0400

I spent 71-77 in the USAF I was a Buck SGT NCO 29150 Did one combat tour in Danang. I was out for 11 months in June 25th 1978 I went navy but I had to come as a SN/E-3 with a hashmark.I was sent to RM "A" School and the to COMSEVERNTHFLT STAFF on USS OKLAHOMA CITY CLG-5 but with in 1 year I had my NCO Stripe back made RM3 So got my E-4 Back and the following year in 1980 I used my guard III to reenlist for 6 years and orders to USNS PASSUMPSIC-T-AO107 out OF SUBIC A B AY PI.