Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/16/2007

Question
dear mam right now i am trying to currently switch into the airforce i hope it is not to terribly difficult due to the fact the im just switching services and not just getting out to  become a civilian my mos is 92a

Answer
Dear Ed --

Soldiers make the kind of switch you are trying to make all the time.  Each switch is unique for many reasons.  Your service has to release you and the receiving service has to accept you.  Some services require you take your basic training or boot camp over again, some do not.  Some cause you to lose rank, and some do not.

If your MOS is overstrength then the Army will most likely release you, if not, you may run into difficulties.  However, if you are at the end of an enlistment and are not re-enlisting in the Army but instead enlisting in the Air Force, your path should be quite easy.  You might still I have to take Air Force training of some type, and you could lose a rank during the transfer, but if you clarify all these issues beforehand, your transition should be smooth.

Please write back, if you have more specific questions.  Good luck to you, and thank you for serving.