Joining the Air Force (Going Green to Blue, what are the pros and cons?)

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 01:51:01 -0400

After serving over 14.5 years in the Active Army, the Air Force is looking for prior service folks who has a critical MOS/AFSC to enlist to fill their critical shortage jobs. What are the pros and cons of joining the Active Duty Air Force?

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 29 at 2015 1:55 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 29 May 2015 01:55:21 -0400

Can you keep the same rank? That what I would like to find out if I was going to try to enlist.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 29 at 2015 1:55 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 29 May 2015 01:55:26 -0400

I am a little confused ... are you saying that you are joining the Air Force SFC Private RallyPoint Member?

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 29 at 2015 2:38 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 29 May 2015 02:38:37 -0400

I have heard that it is extremely difficult, close to impossible, to join the active duty Air Force if you are prior enlisted. That may very well have changed since I last heard it, but still...

I know this is just hypothetical, but why would you contemplate joining the Air Force? Unless your critical MOS is closed up and you can't get promoted unless you cross-train to a new one, I don't see the advantage. Hell, the Air Force is known for it's very slow promotions itself.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 7:18 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 07:18:12 -0400

Been both blue and green. Also trained at two Army posts while active Air Force.

I would have to say both were good, but, preferred the Air Force.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 29 at 2015 10:59 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Fri, 29 May 2015 10:59:09 -0400

I know a few people that have gone through the process, but they were all MUCH more junior TIS wise.

Pros:
Much better QoL
Normally keep your rank
Much for education focused

Cons:
Must have degree for promotion to E8+
Drastic culture difference
Slow promotions

Depends:
Promotions are completely different. They are centralized for promotion to E5+ and have a board process for E7+. Both require a test in at least general AF knowledge and E7 and below your specific AFSC.

These are generalities, if you have something specific, let us know.

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member, Chief care to give him some of your Green to Blue perspective?

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made May 30 at 2015 12:27 AM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sat, 30 May 2015 00:27:34 -0400

If they're looking for prior enlisted, I need to investigate and get my happy ass back into war fighting condition. A second run wearing the badge and beret? Oh the possibilities!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 30 at 2015 12:10 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 30 May 2015 12:10:56 -0400

I see you've spent most of your career in HR/S1. Your goal is to go to law school. With those two things in mind, I don't see a move to the AF as beneficial.

Mil personnel management at the technical level is very different between the two services. You would be at a distinct disadvantage compared to a career AF NCO with the same years of HR experience. If you're leaving HR, essentially cross training, the learning curve will be steeper because you won't have the general AF knowledge base that your AF peers have with the same years of service.

As for reaching your goal of attending law school, I see no difference. VA benefits are the same regardless of Service.

My advice: stay Army. Broaden your experience with HR related assignments like EO. Do your 20 and retire then go to Law School. Prep for LSAT during 19th year, take test during 20th year. Then Apply to Law Schools.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 30 at 2015 1:16 PM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Sat, 30 May 2015 13:16:30 -0400

less PT, less weapons qual. all these are taken from my good friend who did it and told me what one could expect.

Response by SSgt Kevin Moynahan made May 30 at 2015 4:08 PM

SSgt Kevin Moynahan — Sat, 30 May 2015 16:08:04 -0400

The Air Force will for sure treat you more as an individual than the Army does. At least this is my observation. For example, I was one of 2 Airmen deploying on a short-notice tasking to the desert, so the logistics folks put us with a company of soldiers from Alaska for the 3-4 day adventure. That poor 2nd Lt was trying to herd cats the whole time. Soldiers had to line up in formation 3 times a day to hear updates on the next leg of travel from the company commander or warrant officer that happened to available. The Air Force simply tells you be somewhere, and expects you to be there. It's a lot less formal and the individual is given a lot more responsibility to be responsible (if that makes sense).

Of course your career field is going to be a big factor. The flying world, special operations, maintenance, security forces and the support world, even within the Air Force, are very culturally different. What would you be interested in doing?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 2:38 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 14:38:00 -0400

If you have 14.5 years left in the Army, I would recommend sticking it out and drop your retirement papers when you hit 20. Here are some Pros and cons I can see:

Cons:
1. You could lose one pay grade. I have seen people who came over lose one pay grade and some were able to keep their rank. Just depends.
2. The Air Force has a different mind set than the Army. Some have a hard time adjusting.
3. Promotion is slower and much different than the Army.

Pro/Con: 1. You will still deploy. However, some are not as long as others. Of course this depends on your MOS/AFSC.

Pros:
1. The quality of life in the Air Force is a lot better.
2. Education focus is better than Army.
3. PT is not as bad as the Army PT.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 31 at 2015 5:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 31 May 2015 17:21:10 -0400

You will need an acronym book. Trust me as I moved from aviation, tanks, finance, disaster preparedness and relief, and budget. I needed a fast way to learn the acronyms.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 1:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 13:55:05 -0400

Pro: You're in the Air Force.
Con: You're in the Air Force. You're the butt of ever other service's joke.

All joking aside, it seems to me that those who come over from other services seem to do very well in the Air Force. Sure, there is a little bit of a culture shock and a need for adjustment, but you would probably do well.

The other thing is that, in my opinion, the Air Force is the most family oriented service out there.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:53 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:53:05 -0400

I say . . . GO FOR IT!