If a soldier is medboarded out the Army, but wants to join the Air Force, would they have to pay back any funds they received from the Army?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 13:17:47 -0500

Had one of my old soldier call me about trying to join the air force they have been med boarded from the army and is being told in order to join they would have to pay any funds they got back in order to do it any insight?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 9 at 2022 1:46 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 13:46:34 -0500

Were they retired or separated? If retired, were they placed on PDRL or TDRL? What is their RE code? If they were given a permanent disability rating along with an RE code that matches I doubt they will be successful. I don't imagine they can serve if they have a permanent disability that warranted medical retirement.

Have they been working with a recruiter?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2022 4:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 16:17:00 -0500

The only way a soldier who has been MEB out of the Army to rejoin the military is if they were TDRL and not PDRL. Even if they were TDRL, it’s almost impossible for Army to transfer to Air Force because the Air Force has a prior service quota and it’s normally only open to a select number of MOS

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2022 4:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 16:43:42 -0500

It would literally be several paragraphs explaining all the reasons this wouldn't work out, several already pointed out by SSG Private RallyPoint Member and SSgt Christophe Murphy, based on the type of separation, what component they are joining, and why they were separated

Long story short, unless they were medically separated - not medically retired - and joining the AF NG, it's not going to happen.

Response by SMSgt Anil Heendeniya made Mar 9 at 2022 5:54 PM

SMSgt Anil Heendeniya — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 17:54:43 -0500

Given the MEB's result, and the current manpower needs, the Air Force can pick and choose its new recruits. After a banner year of growth that surpassed its recruiting goals, the Air Force thinned the force last year, tossing out those who defied mask mandates, etc. I doubt it would take on an avoidable burden on the taxpayer, unless the prospect had a supremely important set of high tech skills to bring to the table. The chances of his acceptance are less than zero.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 9 at 2022 6:01 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 18:01:57 -0500

The Air Force rarely allows prior service to enlist. Who told your friend this?

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Mar 9 at 2022 8:28 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 20:28:55 -0500

Good luck with that. It's damn near impossible for a healthy soldier to cross over into the Air Force, so a soldier with an MEB probably ain't gonna get it.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Mar 10 at 2022 9:58 AM

SMSgt Bob W. — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 09:58:54 -0500

The information sounds semi-correct. I take it the individual is receiving a disability payment. NOW, that the individual is "fit", they can continue with their military career or civilian career. The disability payment, if any, should cease.