What are the odds I can keep my commission and switch over from Army NG to AF NG as an Air Force civil engineer officer?

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 20:42:35 -0400

I am a 1LT in the Georgia Army National Guard as an engineer officer. I have my undergrad in civil engineering and working on my master's in civil engineering. I would like to know the possibilities of switching to the air force national guard - simply because I would like a change in quality of life (obvious reasons). I work as a construction engineer (no PE) for our state's DOT - if employment matters. What are the odds I can keep my commission and switch over as an air force civil engineer officer? I personally don't mind doing my day job in the military - it just means more relevant work experience to put on my resume. I appreciate it!

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 29 at 2025 6:54 AM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 06:54:35 -0400

The most accurate answer to most of the "what is the possibility" questions about coming into a service, or transferring from one to another, is to talk to an ANG recruiter for your state.

The Inter-Service Transfer process would require conditional release from the ARNG and a conditional acceptance into the ANG. Additionally, there will be a lot of coordination involved as it will likely require all steps be a "done deal - just awaiting signature".

As an officer, the DD368 will likely go up to the AG level, but that's going to depend on your state.

The steps are laid out in section 5.9 of the Department of the Air Force Manual (DAFMAN) 36-2032*.
------------------------------------------
* AFMAN 36-2032 (Military Recruiting and Accessions) - https://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/2023SAF/PolicyUpdates/Military_Recruiting_and_Accessions_Upddate.pdf

Military_Recruiting_and_Accessions_Upddate.pdf

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Oct 29 at 2025 9:48 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:48:39 -0400

If you were in the USAR, an IMA job with the Corps would be an easier thing to do, or at least it used to be. Of course, you would need to change your blouse to silver buttons. LOL

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 29 at 2025 1:37 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:37:50 -0400

As a Marine, I only have this to say. Why would you go from bad to worse?

Sorry, I had to do it. I know where to go and how long to stay.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Oct 29 at 2025 8:44 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:44:04 -0400

There are no obvious reasons why AF NG would be better than the Army NG quality of life. You should explore the job you want to do and compare the environments to do it. A good example, AF critical care nurses spend a lot of time at Army hospitals answering to both an AF chain of command and an Army chain of command. Might as well have gone Army. Now if clinic nursing would be someone's ideal job, the Air Force is a far better option than Army. One should never assume the AF is always better.