Can I change from the Army to the Air Force?

Question

I am in the DEP(delayed entry program) for the Army.

I e-mailed and talked to people from the Air Force, and asked them if it was possible for me to get out of the Army DEP...they said that according to the rules and regulations....they cannot discuss that with me, and if I want to change to the Air Force, I must tell my Army Recruiter.

The only thing about that, is my Army recruiter wants me to stay in the Army and she will say anything, and tell me that I cant drop out of the Army DEP....to join the Air Force...even if i can.

So...my question is to all you out there that know a little bit about the military and can help me out before I propose this idea to my Army Recruiter....because if i really can't change, then I wont even consider asking her..but if i can i will.

Answer 1

Legally, you can drop out of the DEP and go join the Air Force.
Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 1332.14, Enlisted Administrative Separations, and individual service recruiting regulations allow anyone in the DEP to request a separation from the Delayed Enlistment Program. Most DEP discharge requests are approved. Even in those few cases where a stubborn recruiting commander disapproves the request, if the applicant refuses to ship out to basic training, absolutely nothing happens to them. Today's military is an "All Volunteer Force." The services do not need, nor do they want individuals who are not volunteers.

If you get out the Army DEP, that might hurt your chances of joining another military branch, though.
Recruiters in all services are gonna lie; that's just what they do.
Just know that it's really tough to go Army to Air Force than the other way around once you're in. One reason being that Army makes rank a lot faster than Air Force, and Army has a lower score requirement for the ASVAB, generally speaking.

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Answer 2

First off, you need to consider why you joined the Army in the first place. Once you have that answer, think about what it is you want to accomplish by switching services. Each service has the same basic pay and entitlements; no one pays more as it is based on the rank structure of E-1 to E-9 for the enlisted members--the rank names are different, that is all.

That said, there is no legal obligation to continue on to basic training after entering the Delayed Entry Program. You will be told that you have a moral obligation but that is not the same as a legal obligation. No one will take you to jail as a deserter if you do not go to MEPS on the date you are scheduled to depart for basic training.

You are only allowed to enter the DEP once no matter the service. If you do get a DEP discharge from the Army, you can no longer enter the DEP for another service---you can enlist in another service based on your qualifications. Make sure that your test scores are high enough and your law record clean enough to even join the Air Force before attempting to cut your ties with the Army.

When a person enters the DEP, they can be in that program for up to 12 months. If you walk into the Army Recruiting Office and tell the recruiter you want a DEP discharge, they will attempt to find out why. Tell them the truth. The Army invested a great deal of time and expense processing your DEP enlistment. Do the adult thing and discuss it in person; don't be a weasel and just not show up. The Army may extend your DEP enlistment to the full 12 months that are authorized hoping to get you to change your mind and go into the Army within that time. You cannot take a physical or even test for another service while you are still in the DEP for any service. If you do really decide you are a better fit in another service, you may have to push hard for your DEP discharge.

Think long and hard before jumping out of the Army. You chose that branch for a reason; it is not like you never heard of the Air Force before now. I am a firm beliver that all services have a great deal to offer. Good Luck!

Answer 3

First, you do not "enlist" in the Regular Army. What you probably mean is you enlisted for active duty. (Officers are either Reserve or Regular Army, depending upon the kind of commission they have.) The military is not some company like GM. You signed up for the Army, you went into the Army, so you are Army. The Army has you. Since they need more people than the Air Force there is NO WAY they are going to let you switch to the Air Force. After your Army enlistment is up if you want to switch to the Air Force you can. assuming the Air Force wants you. You will lose some rank in the switch by the way. But right now, Welcome to the Army.

Answer 4

If ur still a recruit you can get out any time u want to. Im in the air force so trust me I know. The recruiter will say anything to get u to stay in, but if u feel like u dont want to than u tell ur recruiter and dont let him/her persuade u any differently. Trust me the air force is a great place to be not downing the army I give them respect and appreciate what they do because we are all a team. As long as u get out before u go to boot camp u can get out anytime. Your recruiter is making money off of u so they will tell u anything to get u to stay in dont believe them go with what u feel is right. You can change so do whatever they might say wait till after u finish boot camp thats a lie once u finish boot camp u definately cant get out so get out now before u leave for bootcamp. Just tell them u have a change in mind and ur sorry for wasting there time. But u have to realize its your life not theres. I hope u make the right decision.

Answer 5

yes you can as long as you have not raised your right hand you do not belong to the army once you have said the i do solomly swear to up hold yadda yadda yadda i am idot for joining without knowing more first well any way once you have gave your word with your right hand up then your in and can't do crap for a while you can still get out but not usually honorable just genral and other crap well i would go to your recruiter first and say you just can't join because you don't feel you are ready and that you might be making a mistake the recriter will try to change your mind because they get commisiion when you fully join and they have a quota they won't tell you this and they may tell you what you heard is a lie or not the whole truth and give you there version well anyway if you are haveing second thoughts just think of why you want to join either one what job do you want what mos for both airforce and army feel free to tell me also who is offering the bigger bonus and what status are you joining as active or guard how many years what is your gt score and alot of other stuff what physcal shape are you in if you want you can email me with any ?s you have

Answer 6

i'm in the Army as a DEPper too.
you can leave the Army for the Air Force. you have to sign mutual release forms. you will have to talk to your recruiter, but she cannot stop you from doing it or refuse to give you the forms. just sign the forms to be released and then go talk to an Air Force recruiter. the AF cannot talk to you about the AF while you are in the Army, or s/he will get in trouble for trying to "steal" Army recruits.

it won't really be a transfer. you probably will have to go to MEPS again, but you won't have to take all the tests. you will just be sworn in again, except this time into the Air Force.

good luck.

Answer 7

Yes you can change. Don't let them tell you otherwise. If they try to tell you different, demand to speak to the commanding officer. The Army doesn't really want people that don't want to be there, but the recruiters get very over zealous in their tactics.

Answer 8

Don't talk to your recruiter, talk to someone with the Judge Advocate General's Office [JAG] at a millitary installation close to you, and get the facts straight.

Answer 9

well there must be something that is making you change your mind. can i ask why? is there something your recruiter told you that wasn't true or wasn't able to not fullfill a promise or guarentee? ever talk to another recruiter outside of the area? you can always email me too.

Answer 10

I believe that if youre sworn in and have signed the contract, then youre stuck unless youve disqualified yourself, but I'd sure go someplace else than here to get the definitive answer. However, the fact that the AF said that indicates to me that you might be able to.