Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/please help my son switch branches asap

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Expert: - 3/3/2010


Question
my son is currently in the army in basic training he has decided he really wants to switch branches and continue his service in the airforce. i know it can be done i just need to know how he is to go about switching branches. he graduation from bct is 3/28/10 then the grad date from ait is 4/30/10. please help us soon.

Answer
There is little or nothing that I can do, and these 'interservice' transfers are extremely difficult to accomplish for those on active duty. As in, these days they are pretty much impossible, and not done.   The Air Force almost NEVER accepts transfers from the 'green' side, usually they go the other way around (Air Force to Army).  This was called the 'blue to green' program but it has since been discontinued.  The Air Force (as well as all the other military branches) are 'full up' and have no real need to take people from other services trying to transfer.    

Once he completes his term of enlistment he can re-enlist into another branch.   If he is a reservist, however, he *may* be able to transfer...if that is the case, he'll need a release from his reserve unit and and agreement from an Air Force reserve unit to accept him...AND he'll have to go through Air Force MOS school if accepted.....but there is NO guarantee that both the Army and Air Force will go along with the idea.   If his contract is for Active Duty then he cannot transfer to the Reserves, like I said, he'll have to complete his current enlistment, then re-enlist into the Air Force.

Jason

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

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Jason Grabill

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Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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