Posted on Apr 30, 2018
Is it possible to transition from Army Reservist to Navy Officer after completing my degree? If so, what is the process?
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Posted in these groups: 
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Navy)
Inter-Service
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Navy) Inter-Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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I had a Navy officer that worked for me who was prior Army. The main thing I remember is they said to talk to all recruiters involved (both Army and Navy, active and Reservist). He was able to get the best deal with Active Navy. Best of luck, and BTW he was a pretty good Navy officer, so don't let anyone tell you an Army guy can't make it in the Navy! You don't get seasick do you? Ha ha ha!!!
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PO1 Gery Bastiani
Being a Seabee we rarely travel by boat, but for 6 days we rode on the supply ship from McMurdo Station Antarctica to Christchurch, NZ. And didn't get sick, not to bad out of 22yrs only 6 days on a boat
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My daughter went from Air National Guard SSgt to Navy Reserve LT (O-3).
Her Process: Honorable discharge from Air Guard. Complete BSN and get licensed. Wait 8 years. Talk with Army, Navy, and Air Force medical recruiters. Take the best deal in terms of rank, accession date, and credit for years served. The Navy Reserve offered her the best deal.
She's now a LCDR (O-4) and just completed her first command.
Most important point from her experience: talk to all of the active and Reserve Component recruiters before making your final decision. Take the deal that works best for your life goals and family.
Her Process: Honorable discharge from Air Guard. Complete BSN and get licensed. Wait 8 years. Talk with Army, Navy, and Air Force medical recruiters. Take the best deal in terms of rank, accession date, and credit for years served. The Navy Reserve offered her the best deal.
She's now a LCDR (O-4) and just completed her first command.
Most important point from her experience: talk to all of the active and Reserve Component recruiters before making your final decision. Take the deal that works best for your life goals and family.
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SPC Dontay Parrish
Really good advice sir, I'll definitely be talking to some recruiters here soon then.
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Private message me. I just did that exact process. Here at flight school right now
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SSG Carlos Madden
SPC Dontay Parrish - Send LTJG (Join to see) a connection request and once you're connected you should be able to message each other.
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Anything is possible. As you have completed your degree, get in contact with the local recruiting district, at the officer recruitment level. They will be thrilled to lead you through the process and get you fast tracked. Be wary of what they promise, but given the needs of the service, they will bring you in. After that, you may have to go through OCS (just suck it up buttercup) and then you are one of the chosen.
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You’d have to contact a Navy Recruiter. Keep in mind that Navy and Air Force don’t really like us prior Army. Once the recruiter agrees to work with you, you’d need to secure a 368 from your command releasing you if you are selected by Navy. What are you wanting to do? The army is a big place too...
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SPC Dontay Parrish
That's going to be something to look into then, to see if this can even be done by myself. Thanks for this advice.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC Dontay Parrish - I think the Naval OCS is a real possibility, but even in the Army your choice of careers is still based on the needs of the service even though they allow you to state your preferences. I wish I had a better grasp on that side of things, but I wouldn't even know this much I my son wasn't active Navy now and there are still things that confuse me.
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SPC Dontay Parrish
That is what I was thinking as well, considering I would have my degree by the time I made this decision. The questions come when I think would I have to go through the navy bootcamp or just OCS?
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC Dontay Parrish - You need to check with the Officer recruiter, but I believe that the Navy is the only service that doesn't require you to do boot camp to enter OCS. Plus, you have been through a boot camp and AIT (A School in the Navy), so I don't believe you would have to do it again.
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It is but since you already in the army why not do it in the army cause it will be much easier than switching branches
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SPC Dontay Parrish
Well my wife is already in the Navy, and I see the option of becoming an officer a better decision by choosing the navy. Nothing against the army officers.
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SGT Eric Davis
Well I understand that since your wife in the navy and wanna be together but you can do it.
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