Is there a way to switch from Army Reserve to Air Force before I ship to Basic Training?

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 13:43:13 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 2:19 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 14:19:53 -0400

Ummm, are you sure you want to do that??

I don't know if that's possible since you've likely signed a contract. There is a way to go about it, but you probably need to speak to your recruiter first.

If for some reason you don't ship to Basic Training, I think you have to wait like 2 years, to come back into the Army or other service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 8:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:32:16 -0400

Since you joined the Reserves, you fully joined the day you signed your contract. There would be no way to switch to the Air Force now. You must fulfill the obligation of the contract you signed and the oath you took. Even if you were able to get out of your contract, there is no guarantee that you would be able to get into the Air Force and you could end up stuck with nothing. It would be better to stick with what you have. Best of luck to you in training SPC.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 8:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:34:02 -0400

Also, you have a great MOS there. You wouldn't want to lose that. You are about to receive very valuable training that is going to make you a lot of money in the civilian world.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2018 8:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 08:52:48 -0400

I highly doubt you can that. You might want to talk to your recruiter. I’m almost certain you’re now locked into your Army contract.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2018 7:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 07:27:07 -0500

I almost did this, except it was to switch to the National Guard. The only thing you could do is DEP discharge, however you would have to wait approximately six months to join another component (not sure if Air Force is included.) You would pretty much just "refuse" to go to BCT or AIT. Sure beats the heck out of doing a conditional release packet. However, that is what my recruiter told me when I brought up the fact I was thinking about switching.

Response by SSG Allen Murphy made Nov 24 at 2018 11:06 AM

SSG Allen Murphy — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 11:06:46 -0500

Only if you have not gone through the Meps in processing

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 9:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:55:24 -0500

You probably need to have your Air Force recruiter communicate with the Army Reserve recruiter who's in charge of your transition. I don't want to shoot from the hip and lead you in the wrong direction so start with that and let them figure it out. You'll only get a mixture of educated guesses here.

Response by SSgt John Manstis made Jan 7 at 2020 6:39 PM

SSgt John Manstis — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 18:39:41 -0500

Don't know, but I got myself on admin.hold waiting for retraining for Fire Protection Spec.
from Chaplins Assistant ' after B.T. & Tec. Training . Once IN it's the Base Commander who
approves ALL CROSS training.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 11 at 2021 4:18 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 16:18:14 -0400

Not sure why this popped up on my feed, but since your profile says you're in the Air Force, I guess you figured out a way.