Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Prior Service Navy, wants to go Air Force

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Expert: Rod Powers - 11/17/2009


Question
Mr. Powers:

I am a 29yr. old USN vet. who separated in 2005 with an honorable discharge (RE-1) after 6 years, at the rank of PO3 (E-4). I was E-4 for 3 years. After getting out, I got into the Law Enforcement field, and I am currently a cop. However, I now want to join the Air Force as a Security Forces member. I am hoping to get the "Combat Arms" job. According to the recruiter, my eligibility to get the Security Force/Combat Arms job, as well as retain my E-4 rank will be decided/or determined at MEPS by the AF job counselor personnel. The recruiter states that I may have to go back in as an E-3. How much of this is true? I wouldn't mind E-3 per se, but I would MUCH rather be an E-4. I have a clean track record, (being a cop, I can't afford ANY trouble or issues in my personal life), am physically fit (60 Push-ups in 1 min., 50 sit-ups in 1 min, 15 dead hang pull-ups, 11 min. 1.5 mi. run, 12% body fat @ 200lbs, 32" waist), previously held a Secret Clearance, and I have extensive Law Enforcement training coming in. I used to be heavier and took BP meds, but with my new fitness level, I have since been medically cleared from BP Meds by my Civilian Doctor. What are my chances of getting into the Air Force, and keeping my E-4 rank? Do I have anything to worry about? Is there anything else that I can do to increase my chances?

Thanks  

Answer
Hi James,

First of all, it will be very, very hard to enlist in the active duty Air Force as a prior service candidate. The Air Force allows *very, very, very, very* few prior service enlistees each year. The *very few* that get selected are usually those who agree to enlist in the special operations areas (pararescue or combat controller).

For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/priorservice.htm

The rules for rank retention for Air Force prior service enlistments can be read at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcejoin/a/psrank.htm

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Rod Powers

Expertise

Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.

Experience

Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.

Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).

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