My son is Marine Reserves. As of the date of this question, he is still in the training portion. He realizes he made a big mistake! Can he swith from Marine Reserves to Air Force Active Duty?
2006-12-23 08:53:16 · 8 answers · asked by nubyankween 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The actual answer to this is that it is highly unlikely. First of all, he has a commitment to the Marine Reserve, and for anyone in any reserve component to go active duty, even in the same service, they must get a conditional release from their reserve contract obligation to allow them to fulfill their commitment with an active service. This form is a Department of Defense Form 368. Secondly, the Air Force is in the middle of a drawdown in personnel strength to help pay for new planes or something. It was released in papers in the last few days that they expect to cut anywhere from 27,000 to 40,000 airmen in the near future. The Air Force hasn't accepted prior service personnel in more than a handful of cases in the past 6 years. The statement that he wouldn't be qualified because of the Air Force test standard is only partially true. The Air Force does set the highest MINIMUM score for entry,. but people with very high scores join all branches of the service all the time. The elitist reputation the Air Force has is simply because they are a small force that does offer a good percentage of technical fields and do not have to fill as many slots as other services. This allows them to be less aggressive, more selective, and still attracts high numbers of recruits even though less than 40% are actually guaranteed their training prior to arrival at their basic training. I don't know what your son does in the Marine Reserve, but if the Air Force even entertained the thought, assuming he could get the Marines to release him from his obligation to them, he would be looking at a no guarantee situation and probably get stuck with a job the Air Force had a hard time filling.
2006-12-23 09:13:14 · answer #1 · answered by Curtis H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Army Reserve Branches
2016-10-22 06:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by casanova 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is going to be a waiting period at the least. Usually six months from the completion of Initial Active Duty Training (Boot Camp and Job School). It will probably require a waiver from both branches of the service. It may be very difficult to enter the Air Force from the Marine Core unless he has an aviation job. It would probably be easier to go active duty in the Army or Navy. The Coast Guard almost always denies prior service personel. These are strange times in the military. It is difficult to get combat arms slots filled. Your son maybe "stuck" my advice is to make the best of it in the interim.
2006-12-23 09:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by thepaintman80 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your son can switch. It is not a quick/easy process. He should finish the training because be won't have to go through the Air Force boot camp if he does.
I may be a bit bias but, the Air Force is the best branch. He will have more opportunities to improve his education rather than walk unnecessary miles in the Sahara.
The bottom line is that the previous answers have some good points. It will take some time (could be months), he may have to repay a bonus (could be subtracted from his new bonus), and he may need a higher test score to qualify (depending on what his score is now).
Please tell him I said GO FOR IT!
2006-12-23 09:11:41 · answer #4 · answered by Tammy27 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing that he can do is go talk to his boss (I don't know what the rank is). When I joined the Army reserve, I know there was a clause that said I could get out of my service when I was still in basic. He needs to read the paperwork in there. He may have an out in the contract. Otherwise, the best thing, again, is to talk to the person that he's reporting to. The worse that can happen is they can say no. There is a possibility that he can keep the MOS that he signed up for but switch military branches.
Good luck!
2006-12-23 09:05:43 · answer #5 · answered by Summer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is wrong with switching from Marine Reserve to active Marines?
Going to the Air Force isn't likely to happen.
Maybe they would let him go active duty Navy.
2006-12-23 08:59:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. There is a waiting list for the air force and you have to have scored much higher on the ASVAB for Air force than you do for any other branch. I'm thinking he will be stuck for awhile in the Marines even if he does qualify to get into the air force,
2006-12-23 08:59:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. He might stand a small chance if he agrees to a crappy job. The military loves to screw you when you go from reserves to active duty. I remember when I did that, they made me pay back my enlistement bonus even after they said it was ok and I could keep it. I got screwed out of about $1500.00 bucks!
2006-12-23 08:59:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋