Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/joining the airforce!

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Expert: - 3/8/2004


Question
Hi; My name is SSG Edwin Reyes AND I'm currently in the army as an AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER.. I'm really interested in joining the airforce at this time. I have been in the army for 7 years and I am an E-6. Is there a position for me in the airforce? Will I lose a rank? Can i join it since I'm prior service? I've been trying to hard to get an answer at the airforce website but, they send me flyers and advertising about how good is the airforce for me. I just need to know if I can really join now.   
  Take care and thanks for your help.
            ATTN; SSG REYES, EDWIN

Answer
Greetings Edwin -

I don't want to put you off, but I am currently moving from one base to another.  I put in to AllExperts my vacation dates, but I guess it didn't take.

Please write me back after the 16th and I will be able to give you a more indepth answer.  I would check with an inter-service recruiter on the Air Force side.  DoD regulations allow inter-service transfers and, since you are currently on active duty, you should lose no rank.  You should be able to transfer right over, although they would probably want you as an Air Traffic Controller for the time being, as you are already qualified in that job.  If you want to change career fields, you would have to check with the recruiter to check the reguations covering inter-service cross trainees.

Take care,
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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