Expert: James Bell - 8/19/2008

Question
im in the process of being generally discharged from the airforce, im currently in tech school . i plan on joining the army. would i have to go to army boot? is it possible for me to join the army with a general discharge?

Answer
Keith -

I normally don't answer questions such as this, as they are not within the realm of my specialty of Air Force enlisted aircrew operations.  Inter-service transfers are well outside my area of expertise, as are the legal issues associated with discharges of this nature, so I cannot venture an authoritative answer.  I can venture a personal opinion based upon experience with others who have been discharged from the military.  Under normal circumstances, all the military branches recognize the other's basic training, so you most likely would not need to repeat it.  However, I would tend to think that if the Air Force doesn't want you, and a general discharge (and your DD Form 214) would bear that out, why would another branch take you?

I don't know the specifics of why you are being discharged, but if you are still in technical training, that would tend to make me think it was because of some HUGE incompatibility with military life, more so than just not making the grade in school.  They don't normally give a general discharge for mere inability to progress in school.  It usually means you got into trouble and your commander doesn't think you are worth keeping.  I would check your DD Form 214 very carefully and have them explain everything to you, as your discharge code may very well make you ineligible to rejoin ANY branch of the military.

Sincerely,
James Bell