Posted on Nov 4, 2019
What's it like to switch branches from Army to Air Force?
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I've been enlisted in the Army for 5 years and my contract will be ending soon. I want to pursue a degree in Business Administration and apply for AFROTC.
What is the Air Force like compared to the Army and what are the people like? Is it worth it to change and learn how a whole new branch works?
Can you share what made you switch and if you regret your decision?
What is the Air Force like compared to the Army and what are the people like? Is it worth it to change and learn how a whole new branch works?
Can you share what made you switch and if you regret your decision?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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SPC Thomas Kosakowski
Why would you want to waste your talents after 5 years. The Army needs men to make up the "backbone of the NCO Corps"
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I've served in the Marines USMCR, Army , ARNG and Air Force Reserve.. Air Force was more relaxed and less formal. I jumped back and forth many times mostly Reserve and Guard... changing is easy.. I did not obtain a promotion though as I was mentally ill and suffered many head injuries.. USMC and Army crippled me. I had 16 good years... 1974 to 2004.. broken time.. date of rank 1980..I held a 7 level in the Air Force..AFSC Air Cargo...
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
CPL Gary Pifer I was told that if you claim any VA disability after getting out of the Army then you are disqualified to join the Air Force even if it’s 0%. Is that true?
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I started out in the Army, 12C, but switched gears to USAF and did another 23 years , primarily as an Engineer there as well. My Army time opened doors for me I would have had to fight for without that special experience, and I managed that into a fairly unique career path. There will be some mind blowing moments culturally, but nothing you cant adapt to.
My advice would be to keep those things that separate the services, extreme discipline vs a bottom up culture for example, and appropriately apply both methods as needed. There may be times when the zoomie method isn't effective, so go ground-pounder! Maintaining your personal standards, i.e. grooming, dress and appearance, customs and courtesies, will go a long way to making you stand out from the crowd. Your Army Awards and Decs will start a lot of conversations as well.
As mentioned before, enlisted rank will not come as fast in the AF, but the dark side should be fairly equivalent. One things for sure, at least it was, if you loose one in the AF, it's gone! It was pretty much a one mistake game when I got out in 08. The general standard of living is better, no doubt about that. My CW4 Father-in-Law (my old PL) visited us once, I was an E-6 living in base housing; he couldn't believe an EM lived there. Same is true during deployment, and unless you're a Field Grade there won't be much if a difference in accommodations. If you really want to be coddled, get yourself some aircrew wings, that's a whole different ball game!
My advice would be to keep those things that separate the services, extreme discipline vs a bottom up culture for example, and appropriately apply both methods as needed. There may be times when the zoomie method isn't effective, so go ground-pounder! Maintaining your personal standards, i.e. grooming, dress and appearance, customs and courtesies, will go a long way to making you stand out from the crowd. Your Army Awards and Decs will start a lot of conversations as well.
As mentioned before, enlisted rank will not come as fast in the AF, but the dark side should be fairly equivalent. One things for sure, at least it was, if you loose one in the AF, it's gone! It was pretty much a one mistake game when I got out in 08. The general standard of living is better, no doubt about that. My CW4 Father-in-Law (my old PL) visited us once, I was an E-6 living in base housing; he couldn't believe an EM lived there. Same is true during deployment, and unless you're a Field Grade there won't be much if a difference in accommodations. If you really want to be coddled, get yourself some aircrew wings, that's a whole different ball game!
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
MSgt Bill Miller I was told that if you claim any VA disability after getting out of the Army then you are disqualified to join the Air Force even if it’s 0%. Is that true?
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MSgt Bill Miller
Couldn’t really answer that one with any confidence. Maybe check with an AF recruiter or a personnelist (sp?) at your current station. I truly have no idea...
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SSG Darrell Peters
SPC(P) (Join to see) - that question is best answered by a representative of the Medical Benefits Office at any VA Hospital.
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