Posted on Feb 5, 2021
Will I have to go through Army BCT after making an inter service transfer from the Air Force Security Forces?
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I'm Air Force Security Forces in the middle of a inter service transfer and I'm curious about whether or not I have to go through BCT for the Army? Some stuff I've seen says I don't because of my tech school for Security Forces, some stuff says everyone but Marines have to go through BCT. I'm just wanting to know if anyone has some first hand knowledge on the subject. If I have to go through basic again then I will. It doesn't bother me but I'd just like to know the options.
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Prior Service
Basic Training
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 11
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A direct transfer - w/o the assistance of a recruiter? They are versed in responses to such questions. SSgt Austin Beams
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SSgt Austin Beams
I've talked to a couple recruiters and my package is already sitting with the right person to approve it, hopefully its not too long but I have one recruiter who's telling me that I do have to go and the other one saying I don't. One is fairly new to recruiting and the other is pretty seasoned.
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SSG Bill McCoy
SSgt Austin Beams - First "rule of thumb" with recruiters - they lie! LOL When I went Army (from Navy), the gave wanted to give me a medical MOS which I challenged. The most they could do was to make me, "MOS Undesignated." That didn't matter. When I got to Ft. Dix (see previous comments), they made in fact gave me a medical MOS. It took me 6 months (AFTER Army Basic) to get into the MP Corps.
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I have read That recently you have to go through basic training if you had a separation of service for more than a few years even if you In the army Before as a staff sergeant. This just looks like you'll be in charge of a platoon in the drill sergeants will probably be pretty easy on you.
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/01/14/59-year-old-afghanistan-veteran-will-report-to-army-basic-training-this-summer/#:~:text=After%20a%2010%2Dyear%20break,Monte%20L.&text=The%2059%2Dyear%2Dold%20former,more%20time%20with%20his%20family.
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SSgt Austin Beams
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/01/14/59-year-old-afghanistan-veteran-will-report-to-army-basic-training-this-summer/#:~:text=After%20a%2010%2Dyear%20break,Monte%20L.&text=The%2059%2Dyear%2Dold%20former,more%20time%20with%20his%20family.
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SSgt Austin Beams
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LTC Stephen Conway
SSG Bill McCoy They could have been kicking him out because he didn't have a bachelor's degree. I know a retired full bird colonel who was a 1968 graduate of ranger school. In the early seventies, he was one of the few captains retained because he had a bachelor's degree. Maybe that is why the That decorated lieutenant was not being kept. When I 1st joined the National Guard, you couldn't get above the rank Of captain without a degree. At the beginning of OCS in the California guard, The instructor was a Captain at the beginning of OCS but was a sergeant at the end of OCS. It is possible he was passed over twice and had to Resign his commission 7 months after the final determination. Officer candidates school would count for basic noncommissioned officer school so he was busted down to E-5.
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SSG (Join to see) CPT Lawrence Cable SPC Daniel Weinberger SGT (Join to see) SSG Bill McCoy SGT (Join to see) SSgt Austin Beams
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SSG (Join to see) CPT Lawrence Cable SPC Daniel Weinberger SGT (Join to see) SSG Bill McCoy SGT (Join to see) SSgt Austin Beams
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SSG Bill McCoy
Good points, sir. I never even gave a thought to whether or not he was degreed. Still, it seemed, well, wrong - at least on its face. I can only say that the LT was highly regarded by the Drill Sergeants as they talked about his being a victim of RIF. Never heard the LT mention it, but he did not appear happy to have to sit in the stands during graduation. I (still) think the CO's logic in that was flawed.
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LTC Stephen Conway
SSG Bill McCoy - Just a hunch. I have experienced politics and maybe he did as well.
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SSG Bill McCoy
LTC Stephen Conway - Ahhhh, yes - politics! In just under 13 years, I never really had to deal with, or experience politics. As is often said, "Above my pay grade;" fortunately! In civilian (corporate) life however, it was rife and as a department head, it was awful & distracting.
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I've always heard everyone but prior Marines or Army with no more than three years gap in service. Things could have changed though. Ask the recruiter.
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I went from the Navy to the Army with a six month lapse between. I was sent to Ft. Dix, and at first, they put me in an Overseas Replacement barracks. A few hours before my flight to Germany, an E7 came in and got me. Ended up I had to go through Army Basic after all. When I complained about it, saying I had just done a year in Nam with the Marine infantry, they said, "Too bad. ALL Navy AND Air Force must do Basic Combat Training!" That was in 1971, but I'd guess they still do that.
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Im in training right now as prior service one of the guys with me is an E-5 who also was security forces in the air force. We have separate bays with 8 beds in each room. You will be separated.
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My understanding is that anyone coming into the Army, outside of a the Marines, will have to completed BCT. Unless you are prior Army, with a break in service less than 3 years. However, you will keep your rank, stay in separate barracks and treated much better ... so long as you remember you are an NCO and expected to be and do better.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Air Force Security Forces are exempt also as long as they don't exceed the break in service.
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SSG (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable - Thanks for the lesson, I was not aware of this. Appreciate it
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SSG (Join to see) Last directives I seen also exempts Navy Special Warfare, which I believe covers Swick, Riverines and EOD as well as former Seal's. Don't quote me on that one.
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Depending on how long you have been out, no. Air Force Security Forces are exempt for BCT along with Marines and a few others. I believe the gap in service allowed is now 3 years. It used to be 5 years.
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You would have to go... prior service has to attend basic training unless you were in the Marines. Best of luck
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