Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/going into the airforce?

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Expert: - 4/11/2009


Question
My husband is currently in the US Army active duty and wanting to switch to US Airforce service active duty. He is currently a combat engineer. He is 22 years old and has been in the US Army for 4 years and is up for re-enlistment. My question is how long do you have to wait after your service is done in the army to enlist in the Airforce and are their any restrictions. Can you keep your time in service years and everything else? Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Crystle Jenson

Answer
Crystle -

Your husband does not need to get out of the military to transfer to another branch of service.  I would have him check with his base personnel office and see what the requirements are for an inter-service transfer.  If the Army can't -- or won't -- help him, then he should be able to contact someone at a nearby Air Force Base.  Have him check with the MPF (Military Personnel Flight).

Good luck.

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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