can you join the air force after being in the army?

Answer 1

Yes and no.

While anyone can enlist in another branch after serving thier active duty enlistment.

Being on IRR does not prevent you from enlisting in another branch and you do not need permission from your previous service while in IRR, to enlist in another branch.

But in the case of the USAF,

In 2007, they allowed only 41 prior service members to enlist for active duty in the USAF.

Prior service includes those who served on active duty in any branch, as well as National Guardsmen or Reservist from any branch, including the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve.

So the Air Force, just doesn't really accept anyone with previous military experience.

Prior service enlistments, take a reenlistment slot.

The Air Force would rather have a service member already on active duty reenlist, than give the slot to someone from another service or even a Air Force NG or Reservist, who just wouldn't have the experience that an active duty airmen would have.

For the last couple of years, the Air Force has been limiting prior service enlistments to the following:

AF Para Rescue or Combat Controler prior service.
Linguistics - any service.


Army - Ranger or special forces
Marine - Force Recon
Navy - Seals

The last three are for those who wish to enlist as
Para Rescue or Combat Controllers.

Of course, there are always spot needs that might need filling,

So you should always actually go talk to a recruiter,

Who knows, you might talk to them on a day, when they AF is having a really hard time, filling an opening in a specific AFSC.

Answer 2

Yes but it may be difficult

The Army is building up due to the wars. The Air Force on the other hand is down sizing (again.) Unless you got some really important skills that the Air Force wants, it is unlikely to take you when it is already too over staffed.

Also, you need to keep in mind you probably will lose rank when you go from one service to another. Part of the penalty you pay when you change services.

Also, unless you are DONE with your Army obligation, you can not join the Air Force. If you have done your four years active and still have 4 years Reserve with the Army, you can not join the Air Force for four years active if the Army disapproves. The Army would have to cut you loose from the remainder of your Army contract.

Also, if you are done with the Army, if you do not sign up and swear in with the Air Force the very next day, you have a break in service. That hurts when it comes to calculating pay for grade and retirement.

Yes you can do it, but it will take some work.

Answer 3

Depends on the job u had. I work with a few guys that are prior Army that are nurses now and they are goin to be flight nurses. Since the Air Force was part of the Army at one time should be able to now if u were in the Marine Corps they would be like no way. Good Luck
Semper Fi

Answer 4

Sometimes you can.....talk to an Air Force recruiter to get the facts.....last week in the AF Times, there was an announcement that the AF was contacting hundreds of former AF members asking them to come back ....because of shortages in certain AFSCs. Certain career fields are being force shaped but others are not, i.e. Security Forces. A recruiter can give you the most accurate information for your situation. Good luck!

Answer 5

Unless you have a military skill that is VERY badly needed in the Air Force the answer is no, they're just not taking prior service personnel right now.

Answer 6

yes you can after your time with the army is up.

Answer 7

not really, no. the AF is currently not taking any PS unless they can fill a severely undermanned job skillset.

Answer 8

yes u can,but y woukld u don't u realize who your
commander&cheif is??

Answer 9

Yes ..why dont ?