What can I expect when transitioning from enlisted Navy to civilian to AF officer, while married to an AF enlisted?

PO2 Morgan May — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 14:45:48 -0400

I am trying to figure out what I want to do and how to go about it all.

I just got out of the Navy in August of 2017 as a (frocked) PO2/E-5. I am currently working as a civilian on an Air Force base being as my husband is enlisted in the air force and I follow him where he gets orders now. I have been contemplating getting back in as an officer after I get my degree finished and if that's the case, then I would join the Air Force vs the Navy so getting stationed together wouldn't be such a pain.

As I stated above, I am trying to figure out how much hoops I would have to jump through to get this process started after my degree is finished. How long would I be gone? Would the Air Force recognize/ care that my husband is active duty enlisted and station us together? How long is the training and is there a tech school involved? Would they take into account my prior enlistment and give additional rank or OE pay?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 3:17 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 15:17:15 -0400

PO2 Morgan May Below is information about the Air Force Officer program. You can use the "Chat Live' feature at the bottom of the link, to communicate with someone online to obtain answers. Have you talked to an Air Force Recruiter? Good luck.

https://www.airforce.com/how-to-join/process/officer

U.S. Air Force

Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals.

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Apr 2 at 2018 3:37 PM

LCpl Shane Couch — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 15:37:31 -0400

I am just shooting from the hip here and can not give you a properly informed answer, but With you being commissioned and your husband being enlisted I would imagine that it would be difficult for you both to be stationed at the same installation. That is just based on my thoughts regarding fraternization. I have also seen questions asked where a married couple is trying to be stationed on the same installation and are having difficulties. I could be completely wrong. I do wish you and your husband luck though.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 7:43 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 19:43:49 -0400

You have a couple of questions. When I was enlisted and my wife was an officer the Army made efforts to put us at or near each other. The Army married couples program. Air For s has an equivalent program- just ask.

He question about tech school and training time. That depends on what your job will be. Will you be in a field where you can direct commission? Will you do Air Force ROTC? Do you plan on doing some kind of enlistment with an OCS type transition.

Yes, all your service will count toward your pay. It is all included. Active duty, Reserves, National Guard. All your federal time will be counted toward your pay. No- you will not be given additional rank for your enlisted service.

I would recommend you do these things before going further.

1. Figure out your commissioning source. How are you going about getting commissioned? Is there a direct commission track (medical, law, or other specialty)? You doing ROTC- you can’t just get your degree and say where my commission? You have to follow the program.

2. How will the Air Force pick my job? Do I get to pick my job? Will the Air For e pick my job? What will determine my job? My degree, my aptitude, needs of the Air Force?

3. How long and where will that training be and will I have to move my family?

4. Will my husband be stationed with me? If I have kids will I need a written plan in case we both get deployed? Can my husband take care of the kids be himself? Can I take care of the kids by myself? Where do the kids go if I go to training?

5. Can my husband and I get stationed together? What is the command climate on an officer and enlisted being married? Will my assignment have precedence over my husband?

You will eventually have to decide whose career will take precedence on assignments. Have that conversation with your husband. I have seen where a wive’s career has ended because of a husband that refused to move. Couple of years later wife regretted ending her military career. It happens and think about and talk to your husband about it. Good luck.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 12:46 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:46:00 -0400

I have known many enlisted/officer couples. Its a common thing in the AF. Getting stationed together is easy if you both have jobs that are everywhere like personnel, medical, security forces, etc. It becomes more difficult if you both have jobs that are at few locations. O-E pay would def be given as long as you have 48 months and 1 day enlisted. OTS is 9.5 weeks long, and tech school lengths vary from 5 weeks to 12+ months depending on the job. Applying isnt tough, jist apply through the regular recruiter as if you were never active duty.

Response by MSgt James Slawson made Nov 16 at 2020 10:59 AM

MSgt James Slawson — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 10:59:42 -0500

I believe since you two are already married you can be an officer with him enlisted but you cannot be in his chain of command. Only officers and enlisted not currently married are prohibited from getting married unless one of them gets out.