Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/13/2007

Question
QUESTION: I am currently deployed to Iraq and am in the 82nd airborne. Anyone in the 82nd knows the 82nd is one of the worst places to be in the army especially if ur infantry. I want to know if it is possible to switche branches of services mid way through an enlistment?

ANSWER: Dear Zack --

Yes, it is possible to switch services before your current enlistment is up.  You will need to be released by your unit and the Army and have a service that wants to accept you.

You may lose up to two pay grades during the transition.  You may have to go back to boot camp, especially if you decide to switch to the Marines.

You will not be allowed to switch while you are actively deployed.  When your deployment is up, you can submit a DA Form 4187, to begin getting permission to change.  You can also change your branch without changing from the Army.  You might have to take a less prestigious branch, but that is an option to get out of the infantry without losing rank.

Good luck to you with your decision.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Who do i talk to to switch my MOS when i get back? And they have to be outside my chain of command or it'll never work. and whats and esay MOS thats going to give me the most time with my wife?

Answer
Dear Zack --

To find out your options, you need to talk to folks in Alexandria Virginia at the Hoffman building to determine which MOSs are shortage, and would want a transfer Soldier.  You can find the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses on Army Knowledge Online "My Personnel" by scrolling through the menu options.

All branches are vulnerable to deployment during the current conflict, but air defense artillery, artillery, finance, personnel, food service, and chemical defense are less pressed for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Although they will deploy a lot, signal corps Soldiers do not have to be in the most dangerous places when in theater, and they have a significant number of CONUS assignments.  These CONUS assignments would keep you closer to home for up to 3 years.

Other options are to volunteer for recruiting, Old Guard, or drill instructor duty.  Do you have sufficient rank for drill instructor?  These details are 2 to 4 years long, and you will work long hours, but you will be state-side and close to your family.  A warning though, some people find recruiting duty so onerous they volunteer to return to the combat zones to curtail their recruiting commitment.

Finally, you are less likely to deploy to theater again, for up to two years, if you remain with the unit you went to war with.  As soon as you PCS, you become vulnerable for deployment with your new unit.  If it is just being in theater that is wearing on you, you may want to stay with your current battalion.  However, if you no longer feel a connection with your unit, I think you should find a suitable transfer.

Are you currently a highly successful Soldier, who might be interested in the Green to Gold program?  Or are you most interested in getting through the rest of your enlistment and then getting out and starting your civilian career?  Let me know, and we can discuss other options that might work for you.

I wish you all the best.