Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 10/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: My name is Morris and i just wanted to ask is their any way I can change or join  the air force,because right now i have a general discharge from the National Gaurd.I had joined the guard when i was 17 and it really wasnt me that wanted to join it was my parents who pressured me into joining.I really wanted to join the air force from the start but i didnt want to upset my parents but now im 18 and I'm in college and sort've struggling with it.So I want to join the Air Force in case my schooling fails because I want to do something with my life and be discipline.I also want to join the air force because it always been a dream of mine.  My time in the national guard is up in 2016 but i have been discharged due to absentes due to problems thats been occuring in my family.So if you can please give me some information on how can i join the air force or will i have to stick with the gaurd.

ANSWER: First, you need to ensure you have been discharged and are in possession of a DD214 saying that you have finished your time in the National Guard. Once you're finished and have that documentation you can go and see the Air Force Recruiter. It will be difficult, however, if you don't have an honorable discharge from the National Guard. If it is anything but, it will invite questions and more scrutiny than it would otherwise. Your first step is to get your discharge paperwork in order and then go see the recruiter.

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QUESTION: Look it goes like this I was sworn into the guard when  i was in Jacksonville. But I never went to Basic training and the sent me some discharge papers. I was in the reserve area and I haven't really been in it a full year yet so I wanted to know what or my options can I switch to the Air force because I never went to Basic and I heard thats when you really get sworn in or will have to stay in the gaurd until the 6 years thats on my papers expire. Another thing Do I really have to mention this to an Air force recruiter because technically I really never joined the Gaurd for real because I stopped reporting 3 months before my basic training would occur.

Answer
If you really want to not mention it to the Air Force, you're going to end up in a more serious situation. Anytime you sign up (ie sign a contract) you're entered in to the system and they will have access to see that. Not discussing it could lead to a case of fraudulent enlistment being levied against you. Talk to your recruiter and disclose everything and see if they will accept you.