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

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Expert: - 3/23/2009


Question
I'am prior service navy. I was wondering if my ribbons and awards will transfer with me when i go to the Marines? Also, I was an E-4 when i got out after basic will i still have my E-4 with 5 years in?

Answer
Temathy -

Any medals, ribbons and honors you received for military service are yours, and can never be taken away from you.  As long as you have copies of the orders issuing those awards, they can be transferred to any military branch of service in which you are serving.

As far as retaining your rank, that all depends upon the length of the break in service, and the requirements of the Marines.  Different jobs and the length in which you held that job, compared to the job you are going into, will all determine at what rank you return and with what TIS and TIG.  You will need to discuss that with the Marines.

I hope I helped answer your questions.

Sincerely,
James Bell

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

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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