Posted on Jul 13, 2021
SPC Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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any air force recruiter available I need a honest assessment of the possibility of switching branch. what's the probability?
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MSgt Andrew Blackwell
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The few I saw in my 20 year career (Retired last year) all went special forces or EOD. But as SFC Jason Boyd stated , they look for people who have similar MOS/AFSC. Jumping over to the Air Guard or Reserve can get you into something new. But also be aware that spots for anyone is going to be going down with the US pulling out of Afghanistan.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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I tried when I was enlisted. If you haven't noticed I'm an Army officer now. I kept on getting the runaround then I just gave up.
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SPC Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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thank you for your response sir........ that's the energy I'm getting from the multiple responses
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Sgt Jordan Foster
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I’m with most of the comments but seeing how your a service member with a masters I think you would stand a good chance of being one of the 200 or what ever selected. Combo that with a health care mos…. Is it hard yes, probably the hardest but doable absolutely.
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SPC Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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thank you
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Capt Deputy Flight Commander
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I wouldn’t say it’s easy but it is doable. A lot of paperwork. The worst part is routing for signature and high level approval with no visibility on the status. I made the change from Army to AF back in 2014, I was also a commissioned officer l so I also had to get a scroll signed off by the pentagon. Took several months from start to finish.

There are several courses of action you can take but it depends on if you’re AD or in the RC. Check with a recruiter of the branch you desire. I had to get a conditional release and then an acceptance by the AF plus another commissioning physical - it’s doable but you will need to be motivated to follow through the entire process.
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LT Louis McKellar
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I went from Air Force enlisted to Navy commissioned. If you’re going from enlisted to commissioned it’s not a problem. I served with naval officer who had been both enlisted and commissioned in the Air Force. He had to resign his Air Force commission prior to crossing over so he started over as an O1. Crossing over from commissioned officer in one branch to commissioned officer in another branch requires SECDEF approval.
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SSG Eric Blue
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Not very good. Almost slim to none. The ones WHO ARE ABLE to cross over are usually officers, healthcare workers responding to a dire need, security forces, or forward observers who are fully-qualified to conduct close air support AND are released by the artillery branch in the Army. That almost never happens.
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MSG Frank Kapaun
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Have you thought about the Air National Guard?
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SFC R. Lee Linebarger
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Good luck with that.
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CW4 Retired
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I went from Air Force to Army. 37 years. Take your time and get the job you want.
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2ndLt Fulton Recepcion
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NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.

Through my research, of all the branches, the AF has the most limited PS openings.

As folks have said, possible, yes. But you’re at the mercy of their needs.

Guard and reserve usually are easier for any PS, but don’t think if you go that route that it will be a (sure) stepping stone to augment to AD. Reserve/Guard augmenting is also dependent on the needs of the Active forces.
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