What is the probability of switching branches from Army to Air Force?

As a guy who did it, there are some good answers here and both the positive and negative experiences mentioned his truth. If you are a 68W, you may have a more clear path than many, as I had a fairly clear path from MP to Air Force Security Forces. The first thing is to talk to YOUR ARMY COMMANDER about whether or not they will sign the conditional release (DD368). The next step is to talk to an AF recruiter and let them know exactly what your commander told you about the 368. This will do two things: it will let the recruiter know you are both serious about transferring and independent enough to be worth it (two traits they waste their time with regarding Soldiers at an embarrassing rate). Next, your success and the effort they put into you will be proportional to the positivity of your attitude and the quality of your ASVAB scores (a good GT will be an advantage here). Next be knowledgeable about the transition ahead of you; know that the Recruiter you work with DOES NOT NEED a transfer. Also, know that the transition can be awkward - READ (at least) AFH 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure to get a baseline of what the Air Force is about. Also know that being a Medic is different than being a Medical Technician and try to have a handle on that. Finally, be ready to answer the questions about what you want… are you locked into Active Duty; are Air National Guard or Air Reserve options? Finally gave a couple of Gen Ed college courses or CLEPs under your belt, you’ll understand that later when the CCAF comes into play.

You probably noticed that my advice is all about convincing the recruiter that you’re worth the effort. Other than that, the toughest part is getting the DD368 signed. I wish you luck in the endeavor.

Or ETS, join the Air National Guard, and request to go active.

I Got a Conditional Release from the Army too the Air Force in 1975. I was told at the time, if i had 10 years or more in the Army i would not have been able too transfer. I only had 7 years so i was allowed to transfer. Never check if this was actually true what the Recruiter had told me.

I did it in 1997. Went from Infantry (15 years) to Air Force Security Forces (13) years.

The best thing one should do is to finish your hitch in the Army and then go to an Air Force recruiter.

Work with a good recruiter and ask good questions. Remember, a recruiters job is to put good people in the right situations. They have superiors too and the one’s that know their job are priceless. There’s plenty of salespersons that like to impress with numbers. Make sure the answers to your questions are what you want to hear. It’ll save you headaches later.

Try Space Force; I understand they are looking for a few good aliens.

Really? You'd rather be in the air force? Well, to each his own I guess

It is not only probable but very possible. I am not sure of what you need to do based on your specialty but I know several Army enlistees and Officers who have done it.

A friend from Vietnam, Marines, after he got out, did join the air force and retired from them

Good luck with that. T wouldn't trust an Air Force Recruiter if my life depended on it. I tried to do that 35 years ago in Killeen Texas. If I could have transfered I would have retired from the military but of coarse the recruiter screwed me out of a retirement for the military

For Rated Military Aviators from other branches, there is guidebook called Gold to Silver. It’s a very complex procedure for the USAF to accept Rated Aviators & Re-Commission Aviators. Army & USMC are very helicopter intensive. Air Guard/Reserve units do their own hiring, If you get hired, you become unique in having two military aeronautical ratings (Double Wing Club) The USAF makes Rotorheads attend the full course UPT. A fellow Army Warrant Officer, I new got tired of sleeping in Army tents with airline thoughts moved to USAF. He said Fixed Wing UPT was helpful to learn the USAF way do doing things. But got very annoyed with USAF Knick-pick style in flight school as a Rated Student. Retired CW3, USAR

Anything is doable. What is your MOS? What do you want out of the Air Force that you can't get out of the Army? My advise to you is complete your contract with the Army, get discharge. If, at that time you want to join another branch of the military, go for it.

Specialist: Remember, a Recruiter, regardless of service branch is that organizations' "used car salesman." Have you ever heard a used car salesman say, "Don't buy my car?", I bet not. It's all about sales. In most, not all cases they will tell you what you want to hear (timing is rarely discussed or such mundane things such as personnel data and predictors. Above your paygrade. If you want to la5tteral or ship over to another service, I recommend that you do your homework. In the sea service (Navy or CG) we know the strength of the communities (MOS) and therefore we know if Washington will bite our bait or not ahead of time. If a recruiter won't put it in writing, then take it for what it's worth (0). Once you know they want you then strike while the iron is hot, don't procrastinate.

I did it in a roundabout way but it is hard to find a recruiter willing to put in the work for you. I wanted to transfer after I ETSed but at the time the Air Force had met its quota for the year so I joined the Air National Guard. I spent roughly 5 years in the Guard until I was able to transfer into Active Duty but the circumstances were that it was right after 9/11 so they were taking any able bodies. I suggest trying to contact a recruiter as soon as possible but they may say there is nothing they can do until you are within 6 months of ETSing. The Air Force does have a quota regardless of what anyone says so if you ETS early in the fiscal year (October thru January) you will have a better chance....and don't let them say you need to do their Basic Training because you do not.

I was prior enlisted ANG, commissioned ANG then went to the ARNG after plans for pilot training didn’t work out. This was in the mid-1980s and the Reagan administration.

It can be done. Persistence is definitely required.

Chances of switching over, zero to none.

Ask anyone answering this question how many years they spent in Recruiting Command. I spent 13. We will give you the most reliable answers because we have seen it, done it, experienced it, or been chewed out for it.

In the early 80's we got a previous 82nd Airborne ground radio maintenance guy. Excellent work ethic, reminded everyone about discipline and pushed the troops to do better...he was a tremendous asset to our crew.

Honestly its all about the needs of the Air Force and the needs of the Army. If they don't need you in a similar MOS or one that you want the answer is no. If something kicked off and they need people, realistically so would the Army and the conditional release SFC Boyd mentioned would also be denied by the Army.