Should enlisted lose a rank when switching branches/jobs?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 22:53:25 -0400

I have noticed in my 9 years that many enlisted Soldiers lost a rank when coming from the Marines or Air National Guard when they joined the Army. Should they? Why or why not?

Side question that is related: Should enlisted lose a rank when transferring out of a band unit? I have seen this too where Soldiers in the band transfer to another unit and lose a stripe.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 12:35 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 00:35:38 -0400

Negative, Sir. I assembled my packet to go back regular army, but when the recruiter confirmed that I could lose rank, I said, "But I have so little to begin with!" Going back to AD as a PFC with eleven years in? No way.Simply to avoid the inevitable questions,like, "What did YOU do wrong?"

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 29 at 2014 1:01 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:01:15 -0400

I don't feel that they should lose rank, but there should be an MOS/branch transition course to get them up to speed on their new position. They would then be carried as non MOSQ until they attend their MOS course as any other member. I would think that logically it should take them longer to make the next rank when compared to a fully MOSQ SM with the same TIG. We have a lot of that in RI between the AFNG & ANG mostly A->AF. 2 of my former soldiers did it and neither lost rank in the process.

The only time of heard of losing rank is Os transferring from IRR back to NG/USAR status and that was only if they were out long enough and were not branch qualified before going IRR.

Response by PFC Jason Rodrigues made Jul 29 at 2014 1:35 PM

PFC Jason Rodrigues — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:35:03 -0400

Wouldn't that all depend on how many promotion points they had prior to switching branches? If not then it definitely should. Also as MAJ Robert Petrarca stated it is also whether they are MOSQ or not.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 29 at 2014 1:38 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:38:40 -0400

Officers loose a grade as well....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 11:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 23:17:56 -0500

It should depend on break in service time, leadership training completed, and career field selection. A former USN ABH1 (Aviation Boatswain's Mate) probably shouldn't be able to switch into the USA as an 11B3O or into the USAF as a 3E8X1 (EOD) TSgt.

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made Feb 7 at 2020 6:45 AM

CPL Joseph Elinger — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 06:45:14 -0500

Like so many things in life: It depends (on many individual specifics). Any such Branch, Status, or MOS Transfers should be subject to:
1) Serviceman's Personal File
2) A Review Board of the potential recipient
3) Repeat ASVAB & skill aptitude testing.