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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SSgt David Izquierdo
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I did it, but I completed my Army contract before enlisting in the Air Force.
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SSG Kevin Roberts
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Former Army Recruiter:
As was previously said, limited billets for direct transfer, but unlimited from Air National Guard to Active AF.
If they can't get you in directly, join the guard and then transfer in, through the backdoor.
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CPT Mike Sims
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SPC Harrison, thank you for your service as a Soldier & as a Healthcare Specialist. If you're asking the question about transferring to the Air Force, then might I suggest you complete your bachelor's degree if you haven't already and transfer in by requesting to Direct Commission by attending Officer Training School (OTS - that's what the Air Force calls it, while the Army refers to it as OCS - Officer Candidate School)... or you could go back to school to complete your bachelor's degree or master's degree and enter the Air Force ROTC program and earn your commission that way.

The Air Force needs Commissioned Officer's right now and so does the Space Force as it is growing - so perhaps set your sights on that goal in this next phase of your career and I can assure that the foundation you developed and built as a Soldier will carry you far and prepare you to meet every challenge head on - while exceeding not only your own expectations... but exceeding the expectations of your leaders!

Just remember, the most important part of a leader's job is to take care of their troops while staying focused on the mission - and you will find that your experience in the Army has certainly set you up for success in that role as a future Commissioned Officer... even if it is over in the wild blue yonder! Good luck and Happy New Year!!!

P.S. - Go seek out an Air Force or Space Force Officer in the career field you want to serve in, or meet with the AFROTC Detachment Commander of where you might want to attend college to complete your bachelor's or master's degree... they can and will help guide you to prepare for your Air Force or Space Force career as a Commissioned Officer.
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SMSgt Michael Gleason
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VERY good, if you're qualified! You'll need to retake the ASVAB, because once the respective service scores are computed, the raw scores are eliminated. You'll also probably need to re-physical. The Department of Defense has finally come to realize that, for instance, a clerk-typist in the Army is basically the same as an AF Admin Specialist, which is basically the same as a Navy Yeoman, etc., etc., so your MOS might well convert directly! If you couldn't "convert" to an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) or if you wanted to be in a different career field, it would require attendance at an AF Tech School. Most people E5 and below will keep their paygrade, though you'd lose your time-in-grade (TIG), and most people will retain their Total Military Service Date (TMSD) (pay seniority), the retirement credits that you've earned, and the SGLI eligibility (especially important if you have a family). In many respects, going from one branch to another is kind-of like going from working for General Motors and transferring to Ford Motor Company, yet keeping all "the bennies"! You'd be amazed at how many service members are no longer in the branch of their initial joining!
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SrA Barbara Johnson
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If your preference is Air Force why didn't you go that route from the beginning? I've seen it happen only twice. But you should have joined the better branch from the start.
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SMSgt Michael Gleason
SMSgt Michael Gleason
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After having been "threatened" by my local Draft clerk, I needed to "enlist quickly" to avoid being drafted. THE ONLY RECRUITER IN TOWN was the Army Recruiter!
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SSgt Pilot
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I walked away from 17+ years in the Army Reserves and NG, CW3, and being a helicopter pilot qualified on multiple platforms to join the Air Guard and finish out my time there as an admin section E5. It's very doable on the reserve side of the house.
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SMSgt Tony Barnes
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Depends on MOS and needs of the Air Force.
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LTC Philip Marlowe
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SPC Harrison. Why would you want to? If you really want to do something, a year out from you ETS, locate a school with an Army ROTC program and a degree program you're interested in. Then, locate an Army Reserve unit in the area with your MOS - or even one that doesn't because you can always transition into another career field. Once you've done this, GET ENROLLED in the University AND get signed up for ROTC AND get accepted by the Army Reserve Unit and your future is about to begin. Using your VA, you will earn a decent stipend to live on. If you're in an ROTC program, you will make approximately $350 your Junior year and $450 your Senior - WHICH is what you start at in ROTC - your Junior year because you're prior enlisted. Once you get accepted into ROTC, you're time with the USAR you'll do so under the "simultaneous membership program" which allows you to Drill as a CADET and get paid as an E5....in essence a "3d Lieutenant". Even if you graduate ROTC two years before you graduate college, you can remain in the USAR earning retirement points AND TIG for promotion to 1LT. Once you graduate college - you now have a DECISION to make. Should I pursue a career in the USAR and civilian sector OR go back on Active Duty and pursue a military career. Good choices to have and now, you're in the Officer Corp and pursuing the higher track as a Leader. There is more to the 'story'...but if you really want to change your life - this is a good way to do it. Its the way I DID IT.....I went USAF to ARMY, enlisted to COMMISSIONED, AC / RC / AC / RC over 42 years and I never, ever looked back.
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TSgt Dan Kenna
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Probably should have just went into the Air Force to start with. No disrespect to the Army. I have life long friends that were Army, but to switch isn’t easy. I know that doesn’t help answer your question at all, but I’ve already typed this out and there is no going back now…
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TSgt Vehicle Maintainer
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I joined the Army in Aug90, on Active Duty. At ETS switched to Army Reserve. 6 years later switched from Army Reserves, to Air Force Reserve, going from 63B, to 2T3 same MOS no Tech School needed.
I then climbed from E-5 to E-8 and jumped over to the Air National Guard when the reserves told me I was hitting the 33year mark. I am now finishing my career as a Guardsman, and still earning points
It can be done it just isn't all that common to have anybody do it.
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