Is it possible to switch from enlisted active Army to enlisted active Air Force before my ETS date via DD368?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 20:36:31 -0400

I am an E-4 in the Army with 2 years left in my contract. I saw that the Air Force has a job that translates into the Air Force and I did some research and stumbled upon the DD368. There isn’t much about it online. Mainly people switching from guard or reserves to active duty, but a few things say that it is possible to switch branches just extremely hard. Any input would be appreciated

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2018 8:40 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 20:40:22 -0400

It is possible, and it’s only difficult if your command doesn’t want to let you go. It does have a tendency to take quite a while for them to push the paperwork through so that may be your biggest issue.

Just go for it if that’s what you really want. Make sure you speak to your HR representatives to get a full picture of what you’ll be dealing with.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 12 at 2018 8:48 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 20:48:02 -0400

When your command wants to retain YOU for TO&E reasons, you will have a problem transferring. “This is the Army, Mr. Jones and This is War”

Been there! My dismay at having my letter of acceptance for transfer to another unit trashed was short lived. Shipping to Korea eclipsed any hard feeling about the 74th Armored Signal Company at Ft Knox.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2018 9:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:24:32 -0400

It's definitely possible.

Get the 368 from the Air Force Recruiter. Your unit won't carry them. Well, maybe they will. You can ask around S1. Or maybe your retention NCO. The Air Force recruiters have a completely separate packet they gotta do for you since you're switching branches and currently enlisted, so prepare for hurrying up and waiting. The 368 has an expiration date on it, though. Be aware of that. Just have the recruiter put a year long time frame on the 368, that'll give you some good cushion.

Once you get the 368, take it to your commander. Your commander will then have to agree to sign off on it, then he/she sends that up to the Battalion commander. Then it sits at his/her desk. Then they sign it. Then... Depending on your unit, it may even have to go up to the brigade commander. And it might even have to go to the division commander. But most cases I've heard have been settled at the brigade level.

Okay, cool. You got the 368 signed. It's in your hands. Here's where the fun starts: The Air Force can't touch you until you are "released" from the Army. That means no paperwork will get done until you have that form signed by all relevant parties. So prepare for 2-5 months for that 368 to get to you. I don't know how quick your unit works, but hey, it's the Army. Hurry up and wait.

Here's the other catch - You are at the Air Force's discretion. Your job is what they want your job to be. For example: If you're a Bradley IFV mechanic, and you wanna go to the Air Force and be a cook, well... Does the Air Force want to send you through school again and spend that money on you? They can get John Doe down at the local high school to be a cook. They look at branch transfers as a more investment opportunity. Most of the time, if you aren't going to be SOF in the Air Force, it'll be a tougher time and you'll have to convince the recruiter you're worth the resources.

So bottom line - Talk to the recruiter first. They'll point you in the right direction.

And again, prepare for 5-8 months for all this to actually go through.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2018 11:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 23:13:10 -0400

The Active Army doesn't do branch transfers or releases. You can find all the authorized reasons for separation in AR 635-200.
You will have to ETS prior to enlisting into another service.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Aug 13 at 2018 11:02 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 11:02:46 -0400

What you are asking just isn't done while on Active Duty. You will have to ETS and then work with an Air Force Recruiter. While you are in the IRR the USAF will have to obtain a release from the USAR. Be patient and do your best while in the Army because the Air Force is the hardest service for Prior Service to get into. You will need an excellent service record to even try. Best of Luck!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 11:58 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 11:58:41 -0400

Yes.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 13 at 2018 7:18 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 19:18:57 -0400

You may have an easier time walking on water, good luck.