How difficult is it to branch transfer from Navy to Army halfway through one's contract?

2024-01-10T18:57:16-05:00

How difficult is it to branch transfer from navy to army halfway through one's contract? I'm about a year into my contract and absolutely hate my job (Intelligence specialist) and I'm not too fond of the branch either. I desperately want to transfer to the army after this tour and go to RASP or SFAS?

I've brought it up to my command (an expeditionary command) and they are very supportive, how do I go about this and transfer over at the end of this tour?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2024 7:06 PM

2024-01-10T19:06:58-05:00

You will have to EAS/ETS, and then you can join the Army.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2024 8:18 PM

2024-01-10T20:18:22-05:00

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member Two strong negatives don't add up to a healthy career positive. What attracted you to your branch and specialty? Identify and revisit the reasons to see if you can recapture that outlook. You might also consider an application to cross train into another specialty within the branch. Not sure what your options are, but since you are probably locked in for your contract's duration, you need to find a way to (survive is the best word I can think of) to your ETS.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jan 10 at 2024 8:22 PM

2024-01-10T20:22:15-05:00

Before mid-2022, you could apply for an early separation through your command, but according to the Navy's HR website*, they have canceled all early separations (per NAVADMIN 142/22*) except for:
● Applications to transfer to United States Space Force (USSF)
● Pursuit of a commission in the Navy
● Applications to transfer to other Uniformed Service at SEAOS

I'm not fluent in 'squid', but I believe SEAOS is pretty much the same as ETS in the Army (when your enlistment contract is up), so ... what MSG Private RallyPoint Member said.
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* https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Personnel-Conduct-Sep/Enlisted-Separations/
* https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2022/NAV22142.txt

Enlisted Separations

The official website for MyNavy HR / Navy Personnel Command

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 11 at 2024 7:59 AM

2024-01-11T07:59:03-05:00

Wouldn't be easier to stay and apply for one of the Navy Special Warfare Jobs, like SWCC? Or since you are already in an expeditionary command, maybe EOD if you have what it takes to hack it.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 16 at 2024 11:21 AM

2024-01-16T11:21:00-05:00

In years prior there have been programs to transfer mid contract but considering we are in the middle of a recruiting crisis you will be hard pressed to find anything that will get you out the door any faster than just finishing your contract.

If you don't like your job you may be able to perform a lateral move and reclass to another MOS. That would be more doable than just jumping ship entirely.