When going officer, can someone from one branch go officer to another branch?

2016-06-02T06:54:59-04:00

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Jun 2 at 2016 7:21 AM

2016-06-02T07:21:40-04:00

Yes, absolutely. Buddy of mine was a TSgt in the Airforce doing Intel, cut over to the Navy to be a SuppO.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 8:10 AM

2016-06-02T08:10:32-04:00

Absolutely! There maybe some guidelines to follow since it's going to a different branch of service. I know a seaman who was trying to go officer in the Army but wasn't able to fulfill the commitment but everything panned out since she got a full-ride to college and was offered a job while going to school there.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 8:35 AM

2016-06-02T08:35:12-04:00

They sure can. Officer candidate school or direct appointments are the usual routes. I have seen people leave their service and enroll in ROTC with different branches as well. I worked with a Warrant Officer who was Air Force and had applied to the Army Warrant Officer program. He is now a CW2 in the Signal Corps (computer guy). One of my fellow company commanders was a US Marine now turned Medical Service Corps Officer. You just need to meet the qualifications and apply.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 9:38 AM

2016-06-02T09:38:10-04:00

Sure. I had this Army 1LT as my Company XO who had initiated transfer to the Marines because his wife was a Marine LT. I PCSd before he ever did transfer....I just know that his paperwork had cleared Dpt of Army and was awaiting approval from the Dept of Navy

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jun 2 at 2016 11:28 AM

2016-06-02T11:28:12-04:00

I stayed nuclear power by choice, but while I was at NROTC, I could have gone any branch... I don't know how OCS does it; it is also important to keep in mind that Needs of the Navy are always the first consideration in assignments. The higher your evals and college grades, the higher your chance of getting what you want...

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 2 at 2016 11:39 AM

2016-06-02T11:39:30-04:00

You can, but there are some restrictions and caveats in place. Generally, unless you are a rare and valuable sub-specialist (ie brain surgeon), they tend to not allow it after O-3.....

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 1:58 PM

2016-06-02T13:58:34-04:00

Blue - Green program works for E5 Navy to CWO2 Army if im not mistaken

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 5:34 PM

2016-06-02T17:34:18-04:00

There are a lot of restrictions, but it can be done. My experiences with it were guys who specifically followed the army warrant flight path, or the only other I knew a student of mine in Charleston who left the army to go navy. He was a special case, someone attempted to change the years on his contract while he was in school so he had an opening to apply to all branches to retain his schooling and was able to select a new job. In the end I think he only got accepted to transition because he was eligible for nuclear power and they are significantly undermanned.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 2:55 AM

2016-06-03T02:55:32-04:00

Once you complete your enlistment, you can apply for ROTC in any branch or if you have your degree OTS/OCS.

Once you commission its harder to swap, unless you have a like careerfeild. I have heard that Intel officers have a better chance than say a Army Infantry Officer wanting to be a Navy SWO. Needs of the services and whether there is a plus up or draw down have an effect as well. The Army had a program 10 years ago called blue to green where they allowed AF officers to transfer. I know two that commissioned with me transferred in the Army.