Posted on May 29, 2015
Joining the Air Force (Going Green to Blue, what are the pros and cons?)
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After serving over 14.5 years in the Active Army, the Air Force is looking for prior service folks who has a critical MOS/AFSC to enlist to fill their critical shortage jobs. What are the pros and cons of joining the Active Duty Air Force?
Posted in these groups: 
Air Force
Air Force
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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I know a few people that have gone through the process, but they were all MUCH more junior TIS wise.
Pros:
Much better QoL
Normally keep your rank
Much for education focused
Cons:
Must have degree for promotion to E8+
Drastic culture difference
Slow promotions
Depends:
Promotions are completely different. They are centralized for promotion to E5+ and have a board process for E7+. Both require a test in at least general AF knowledge and E7 and below your specific AFSC.
These are generalities, if you have something specific, let us know.
CMSgt (Join to see), Chief care to give him some of your Green to Blue perspective?
Pros:
Much better QoL
Normally keep your rank
Much for education focused
Cons:
Must have degree for promotion to E8+
Drastic culture difference
Slow promotions
Depends:
Promotions are completely different. They are centralized for promotion to E5+ and have a board process for E7+. Both require a test in at least general AF knowledge and E7 and below your specific AFSC.
These are generalities, if you have something specific, let us know.
CMSgt (Join to see), Chief care to give him some of your Green to Blue perspective?
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
To provide some background, while I am not a Green to Blue guy, I did spend my childhood raised by 2 Marines (Mom/Dad) and Navy (step dads) on Navy and Marine posts.
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SSgt (Join to see)
In fairness, the degree required for E8 is an associates degree, which for many is covered primarily in tech school.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
SSgt (Join to see), that is only partially true. A large portion of the degree requirements will be met by that but there is still all the general education requirements and often technical electives.
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You will need an acronym book. Trust me as I moved from aviation, tanks, finance, disaster preparedness and relief, and budget. I needed a fast way to learn the acronyms.
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I see you've spent most of your career in HR/S1. Your goal is to go to law school. With those two things in mind, I don't see a move to the AF as beneficial.
Mil personnel management at the technical level is very different between the two services. You would be at a distinct disadvantage compared to a career AF NCO with the same years of HR experience. If you're leaving HR, essentially cross training, the learning curve will be steeper because you won't have the general AF knowledge base that your AF peers have with the same years of service.
As for reaching your goal of attending law school, I see no difference. VA benefits are the same regardless of Service.
My advice: stay Army. Broaden your experience with HR related assignments like EO. Do your 20 and retire then go to Law School. Prep for LSAT during 19th year, take test during 20th year. Then Apply to Law Schools.
Mil personnel management at the technical level is very different between the two services. You would be at a distinct disadvantage compared to a career AF NCO with the same years of HR experience. If you're leaving HR, essentially cross training, the learning curve will be steeper because you won't have the general AF knowledge base that your AF peers have with the same years of service.
As for reaching your goal of attending law school, I see no difference. VA benefits are the same regardless of Service.
My advice: stay Army. Broaden your experience with HR related assignments like EO. Do your 20 and retire then go to Law School. Prep for LSAT during 19th year, take test during 20th year. Then Apply to Law Schools.
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