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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Switch Branches?
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Question
Hello,
So I've been in the Navy for about 6 months now and know that I would much rather be in the Army right about now. I signed up for special warfare and did not make it. I have searched all over for the answer to my question. Is there any way to switch from the Navy to the Army or the Marines. I found the blue to green program, but I don't qualify because I have too much time left on my contract. I would love to switch so I can be on the ground doing something for the war. The Navy has the Individual Augmentation program but the CO of this base will not let anyone do it. Please help me if you are able to.
Thank You
Joe
Hi Joe,
I'm afraid that except for the limited provisions under the Army's "Blue to Green" program (see: articles at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyjoin/a/artransfer.htm and http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyjoin/a/bluetogreen.htm), I'm afraid there is absolutely no way for an enlisted member to "switch" from one active duty branch to another.
In order to "transfer" to the Army, you would have to wait until you qualify for the "Blue to Green" Program, or wait until your enlistment period is over, then separate honorably from the Navy, then see a recruiter and apply to join the Army or Marine Corps as a "prior service" applicant." (see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/priorservice.htm).
I'm afraid the military services aren't a "try it on for size and see if you like it" affair. The Navy has already spent a consideral amount of time and money in your enlistment and training. They want to get their money's worth. The same is true of any of the service branches.
The "Blue to Green" program is a temporary, and very restrictive program. It was only created because the Army is increasing in size and the Navy and Air Force are decreasing in size. Therefore, the program allows airmen and sailors, during the last part of their enlistment to apply to transfer to the Army (in exchange for adding more enlistment time), *if* (and only if) they are in a job that the Navy or Air Force considers to be "over-manned."
For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com
Hope this helps!
Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com
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Answers by Expert:
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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