Should the DOD allow intra service transfers?

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 02:54:48 -0500

Once SM get into the military they find or believe they can value to another branch. I know some people ETS and come back into another branch as it is. What about allowing transfers without having to exit the service?

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Jan 29 at 2017 3:32 AM

1SG Frank Rocha — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 03:32:18 -0500

Yes, but specific training on that service should accompany it to the extent that the gaining service is satisfied that you are properly oriented and integrated into their service.

As it stands, it depends on the separate services to integrate other services personnel in their own way. The DOD would have to come up with one for all the services to abide by. As it stands smaller services such as the Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard all have very strict rules on this. They have the luxury of being very picky and they use it to their advantage, and rightly so. I believe those services would be the most resistant due to the possibility of a policy like this defeating their current MO.

For example, If you're a CSM in the Army and want to join the Marines, having never served in the Marine Corps before, you would be joining as an E-2 (PFC) and go through Marine Corps boot camp. You would not regain your previous rank. You would go back through the ranks all over again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2017 4:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 04:03:51 -0500

The DOD already allows it, it's up to the individual services to decide if it's in their best interest. Usually it's not unless one service is rapidly growing (usually the Army).
Services get less bang for the buck with transfers. For instance, an 4 year E4 will transfer over and now they are working at the skill level of a brand new private until their experience grows, but being paid more.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 29 at 2017 10:58 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 10:58:22 -0500

It's more doable in many cases as the rating frequently goes to multiservice schools that have been consolidated over the years. Seabees are one with the Army and Navy running them. I'm a bit mystified over some of the reasoning I see posted. Most think they're tired of whatever BS factor there is and presume it will be better in a different service. All have a significant BS factor. You just trade one for another. I wouldn't expect transfers in a downsizing environment to be a significant number.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jan 29 at 2017 12:36 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 12:36:24 -0500

Perhaps. But only for SM's who have completed their first enlistment term and are in the re-up window. If the needs of DoD dictate a cross leveling of personnel, then branch transfers in same MOS, or re-training into top priority MOS's can be authorized to fill that need. The SM would in effect re-enlist for another branch with no break in service.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 29 at 2017 1:05 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:05:24 -0500

Although I fully respect what other branches of the Armed Forces do if I had to make the same choices again, i'd still go in the Air Force. Before entering the service I had attended a Military Academy where the program was Army ROTC but then later when in a Cadet program that was USAF. I ended up enlisting in the Air Force. I've never had the desire to change services. I also would not want to start over at a lower level and over the years try to catch up to where I was. It still breaks down with all services their needs come first and it would be a big decision to make on Your part.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2017 1:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:33:13 -0500

I think so, especially if it's a valued skill that is being transferred. Of course there would need to be a training/orientation period for the transfer. For example I mess up the Senior NCO ranks for the Air Force sometimes and I have no idea what the difference between a flight/wing/squadron is.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 30 at 2017 8:51 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 08:51:39 -0500

It's debatable. I think there are a lot of different factors that come into play which would prove difficult. We've go different training/boot camp lengths. Different height/weight requirements. Different PT standards. Different age restrictions etc

For instance, I am a Marine. I share an MOS with the Navy. So theoretically an intra service transfer for me should be no problem. But let's reverse the scenario. What if I was a Sailor and wanted to be in the Marines? When I was at the school house with Sailors, the majority of them couldn't run more than their basic requirement of a mile and a half. So how could a sailor hope to transfer to the Marine Corps when they couldn't meet our minimum of being able to run 3 miles?

I would support in service transfers, but they need to be able to meet or exceed the standards of the branch they are trying to enter.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2017 11:45 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 11:45:31 -0500

This already exists. There is an established processes to do it already, in addition to service specific processes. The DD 368 form is what is generally used.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Jan 30 at 2017 3:55 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 15:55:16 -0500

My first thought was that we already allow transfers between the branches but of course we don't. We allow some people to leave the service and then reenter another branch. We shouldn't definitely allow transfers when it benefits the services!

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jan 30 at 2017 5:09 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 17:09:24 -0500

Good question. I have seen quite a bit of inter-service transfers in the medical field; nurses, docs, PTs, dentist, etc. I have seen inter-service transfers mostly between Navy-Air Force-Public Health Service, with a rare Army officer. For officers in the medical field you transfer within pay-grade and TIG.

I suppose there might be more restrictions for the enlisted, but I would imagine also doable. As a former Navy recruiter I had several NG troops come aboard the Navy but it was a break in service and rank reduction in all cases.

Response by 1SG John Baize made Jan 31 at 2017 7:43 AM

1SG John Baize — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 07:43:15 -0500

I entered the Army in 69, retired in 93, so my comments may be dated.
1. Prior service enlistments were handled the same across the services up to the grade of E-6. Rank was deterined in the new service based on how long you had been out (generally 1 stripe per 18 months). A service department determination was required for all ranks above E-6. This was in effect 1975-1976 when I was a recruiter.
2. Interservice transfers were possible, however very rare. I had entertained the idea to transfer to USAF Strategic Missile Command in 1978. Pre checks with the AF were positive and it would have been at the same grade. Army was negative citing " Yes we can do it, but don't waste the paper" (comment from a high ranking commander). It was more common to do this if it was to accept a commission or a warrant.

Response by Mary Burchard Pikula made Jan 31 at 2017 10:44 AM

Mary Burchard Pikula — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:44:29 -0500

I think that if the transfer will be helpful to the requested branch of service and not cause undue hardship on the current branch, then it should be allowed. Joint Service assignments may provide better insight as to whether a change will be beneficial to the individual and their career path.

Response by PO2 Kimberley Johns made Jan 31 at 2017 12:15 PM

PO2 Kimberley Johns — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:15:42 -0500

Why not? Corporations do it all the time and that's basically what the DOD is.

Response by LTC Andy Liebeknecht made Jan 31 at 2017 12:28 PM

LTC Andy Liebeknecht — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:28:56 -0500

They already do.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Monk made Jan 31 at 2017 4:34 PM

SSG Jeffrey Monk — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 16:34:27 -0500

As far as I'm aware we still do. Usually it has to be a needed position. In the Army I've seen two switch from the Navy without a break in service (one went to our S1 dealing with Postal and the other was a female which at the time was rare in an infantry unit and she was supply). Prior to the wars, it happened a lot from Air Force and Navy down sizing. Its not always easy and it takes work from the chain of command but if you're up for reenlistment its do able.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 12:01 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:01:03 -0500

Honestly, SFC Jackson, it is a viable option already, I was able to seamlessly transfer from the Army into the Air Force in December. It is all dependant on your commands willingness to allows you to transfer. I was an MP in the Army, and it equated to a direct transfer, so I am not required to attend tech school at Lackland. However, to caveat on this, I was a SGT. If I would have been promoted into SSG before I transferred, I would have been required to take a demotion into position. The USMC also allows transfers, however, you will be reduced to E1. Hope this helps

Response by Sgt William Straub Jr. made Feb 1 at 2017 8:48 AM

Sgt William Straub Jr. — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 08:48:04 -0500

A friend of mine who was stationed with me at NKP in 1970-71 as an Air Force SP crossed over to the USN and became a CPO. I don't know if he had to be discharged from the AF first or just continued without loss of service time. I would think outside of Pilots from the AF wanting to go Navy, it would be a little difficult going from land based aircraft to landing on a moving postage stamp in the stormy North Atlantic. But I'm sure an Air Force pilot could manage. Not that I am biased towards the USAF. Aim High!

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 1 at 2017 12:16 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:16:21 -0500

I say yes but the individual should have to go through an orientation of the gaining service. I don't believe they should have to go through a full up boot camp again but a tailored boot camp style orientation to ensure they are successfully integrated into the new service.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made May 8 at 2017 7:38 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Mon, 08 May 2017 19:38:53 -0400

I don't think you will be able to transfer into the Marine Corps, even if you could we are a different breed of animal. I have friends who are in the Army and Navy who become instant civilians at 16:00 and become military members at 07:30 the next morning. Yes, I know there are alot of dedicated folks in all branches of the Military but being a Marine is for life. 24/7 and 365. I can see Marines going into all of the other branches but not to the USMC. Sorry, but you will need to indoctrinated at one of two places, Paris Island, SC or San Diego, CA. We have two places for boot camp...that's it for enlisted folks, all female recruits go to PI. All Officers go to Quantico, VA. All journeys to become a Marine start on the yellow foot prints.

Response by Sgt Erle Mutz made Aug 20 at 2018 1:14 PM

Sgt Erle Mutz — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 13:14:31 -0400

Although they are all covered by the UCMJ, there ARE some differences that cannot 'jive' with other branches.