Posted on Jul 26, 2018
Is it possible to switch from Army ROTC to Air Force ROTC as a scholarship cadet heading into your final year?
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Asking for a friend: He has 1 year left to become a 2nd LT in the Army however he wants to switch to AirForce ROTC. Is it possible get a release or he would most likely have to continue in Army ROTC? He is a schoolarship cadet. Also he hasn't gone through AC. He'll be end of camp commission.
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 10
That’s two completely different pots of money. He’s already contracted and will probably be branched soon, if he’s on track. Why switch now? That’s not a unit commander decision, cadet command scholarships aren’t decided at the local level.
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With the Army trying to grow the active force, I would say it is improbable that the Army will release him from his commitment. If I were him, I would plan on fulfilling his service obligation. That being said, he can always request to transfer to the USAF. I just would not expect approval.
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Its not impossible. I knew someone who was contracted Army than went Air Force, the kid was not in the first two years so was not hard obligated. Like others mentioned it will all be due to the needs of the service and the commanders discretion. If the Army is hard up to bring in new talent than they might not let him go. The only way to know for sure is start the discussion with the commander.
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Probably better to stick with the Army until graduation. Look up rules on accepting commission in a different service. It’s possible. A long time ago a guy in my ROTC class took a Marine commission.
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MSgt Michael Lane
It comes down to where the money came from the Army flipped the bill and will want a return on the investment. My son went the Gorgea military College under a 2 year commissioning program paid by the Army Reserve he wanted to go active duty but was not possible because the reserves paid the bills.
That's why it is so important that you know what you are signing when you put that name on the line.
That's why it is so important that you know what you are signing when you put that name on the line.
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I will go out on a limb and say no, the Air Force has time requirements to be able to commission through ROTC, I think it's two years minimum at a Det...although it's been awhile since I went that route, but the Army would have to disenroll him and they already have invested time and money, both of those are significant hurdles.... I will Echo a previous responder and advise he fulfilled his commitment with the Army at this point...if he wants to be a commissioned officer. Maybe look for a green to blue possibility down the road... Or he can ask to be disenrolled from the Army ROTC and go OTS commissioning route in the Air Force....lots of variables...biggest question is "why?" Sounds like he needs to sit down with one of his army mentors and make a decision now before he actually is the member of a unit and can affect more members than just himself
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Back in 1991 i transfered from airforce rotc scholarship to army. I had to do an extra year of army ROTC while just taki g additional classed, But policies and processes always change.
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In addition to the comments already posted, he might want to check if there are available scholarship slots in Air Force ROTC. The Air Force may not have a slot for him to transfer into, even if it is allowed.
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If he has 1 year left before commissioning in Army ROTC, I would assume he’s already a contracted cadet. That being the case, the contract he signed will govern. I sense is that it’s doubtful he can switch service components at this late date.
That said, he should see what his contract says and speak with the Senior ROTC instructors about his options with the expectation he will enter service as an Army 2LT.
That said, he should see what his contract says and speak with the Senior ROTC instructors about his options with the expectation he will enter service as an Army 2LT.
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That's a question for his unit commander, whom I imagine is a colonel, and has the authority to make such things happen.
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