Expert: John L - 2/15/2011

Question
I have been trying for over a year now to transfer from being on active duty in the Army to the Air Force National Guard.  I was in the Army for 11 years and had submitted my request for separation which was granted.  At that point I contacted and AF recruiter for the area I was planning to live. I was told there was a slot for me at a wing in my area.  Contacted the commander there, started the paperwork, was told that that there should be no break in service I would go from being a CPT in the Army to one in the AF.  As my end of service date became closer and closer I kept in touch after finalizing all the paperwork at the NG command for the state.  There was an issue with my profile and so I had to wait for a waiver which didn't make for a seamless transition.  I received my honorable discharge from the Army where I resigned my commission in July of last year.  I still have not completed the process, the MSG handling my paperwork said that it is an issue that I resigned my commission, that they don't do that in the AF and I needed to submit a letter stating why I did that, basically that there were no charges against me or anything.  From what they are telling me officers in the AF don't resign their commission ever????  I am not understanding any of this and it has now been a year, the fact that I resigned my commission being the only hold up at this point I am told.  Have you ever heard of this, any advice on how to deal with the issue?

Answer
Basically, you screwed yourself by resigning your commission rather than just take the discharge.  By resigning your commission, you gave up the federal recognition.

The Air Guard probaby will not even take you in the end due to giving up your status, which by doing so showed no commitment to the uniformed services in their eyes, even though you planned on joining another branch.

The Air Guard units are usually full, so there is no urgent need for Prior service personnel, especially those who are not qualified in any aspect of their service.