Prior Marine looking to go into Air Force

[uwilltap3]

Hello everyone!

I am hoping that someone can help me with this issue. I served four years in the Marine Corp as an infantryman and received an honorable discharge in 2007. Immediately I hit the books and have been working towards getting a four year degree. I currently work in law enforcement and would like nothing more than to go back into the military....As an officer.

I have spoken with a few recruiters but they don't seem to know much about the process of coming back in. From what I understand it can be a difficult process.

What I am looking for is if anyone has any information on this and perhaps if anyone would have any "tips" on what I can do in the meantime to help myself get into the Air Force.

To further complicate the issue, I receive 10% disability from the VA, would this negatively harm my chances of getting in?

Please help.

Thank-you,
Jeremy

[ringjamesa]

First off, are you SURE you were discharged? You shouldn't have been so if you were, that raises some red flags (no one except chaplains should be discharged prior to completing 8 years either active or IRR unless they are unfit for duty). If you simply misspoke and were separated and placed in the IRR, the next question is are you looking for ADAF, Guard, or Reserve? Each has different qualifications. Age is always a factor. Disability percentage is completely irrelvant. The issue is always what you are getting diability FOR. For example a woman may get 50% for a hysterectomy=eligible. Another woman may get 50% for a back injury=ineligible. make sense? Once you decide what you want to do, contact the officer accessions recruiter for that Air Component and get moving. What is your degree going to be in? that matters too.

[takthekak]

Hello everyone!

I am hoping that someone can help me with this issue. I served four years in the Marine Corp as an infantryman and received an honorable discharge in 2007. Immediately I hit the books and have been working towards getting a four year degree. I currently work in law enforcement and would like nothing more than to go back into the military....As an officer.

I have spoken with a few recruiters but they don't seem to know much about the process of coming back in. From what I understand it can be a difficult process.

What I am looking for is if anyone has any information on this and perhaps if anyone would have any "tips" on what I can do in the meantime to help myself get into the Air Force.

To further complicate the issue, I receive 10% disability from the VA, would this negatively harm my chances of getting in?

Please help.

Thank-you,
Jeremy

I don't think you have talked to right recuiter yet. There are certain codes that you get when discharged. It has been awhile, but I seperated and came back in, but my old job had to be on a list. I have worked with a guy who was prior Army...The officer part may have different requirements. I would call multiple recruiter, to as a high of a level as you can, and see what they say. Recruiters have bosses and you may need some waiver or exception...It may also depend what your degree is in...Do recruiters handle both enlisted and officer? I wish you luck and I hope they find a way to get you in. I am betting though if you get disability, it may not work out.

[uwilltap3]

I did have an eight year commitment. I did four years active duty and got out in 2007. My degree is in accounting. Not the most in need military job but there are accountants in the Air Force. If need-be, I can do something else.

[Slap]

honestly i wouldn't talk to recruiters. they want to funnel you to enlist. they don't focus too much on the officer side.

I'd go talk to some local AFROTC detachment at a college in your area. they are experts in the officer pipeline side and can help you out....if they can't help you they will know who you should talk to

[BRAVO10000]

First off, are you SURE you were discharged? You shouldn't have been so if you were, that raises some red flags (no one except chaplains should be discharged prior to completing 8 years either active or IRR unless they are unfit for duty). If you simply misspoke and were separated and placed in the IRR, the next question is are you looking for ADAF, Guard, or Reserve? Each has different qualifications. Age is always a factor. Disability percentage is completely irrelvant. The issue is always what you are getting diability FOR. For example a woman may get 50% for a hysterectomy=eligible. Another woman may get 50% for a back injury=ineligible. make sense? Once you decide what you want to do, contact the officer accessions recruiter for that Air Component and get moving. What is your degree going to be in? that matters too.

Little confused. You don't get a DD form 214 and the end of your acvtive enlistment? I have a few of those for every time I re-enlisted. They say "Honorable Discharge" on them.:D

But yes - I would talk to an Officer Accessions recruiter, AND I would also query a nearby AFROTC detachment. That might get you most of the answers that you need.

As I recall, we have (or had) a hard time keeping Comptroller bilets filled. Wasn't that long ago, but I don't know if that is still the case.

[Master Tanker]

Hello everyone!

I am hoping that someone can help me with this issue. I served four years in the Marine Corp as an infantryman and received an honorable discharge in 2007. Immediately I hit the books and have been working towards getting a four year degree. I currently work in law enforcement and would like nothing more than to go back into the military....As an officer.

I have spoken with a few recruiters but they don't seem to know much about the process of coming back in. From what I understand it can be a difficult process.

What I am looking for is if anyone has any information on this and perhaps if anyone would have any "tips" on what I can do in the meantime to help myself get into the Air Force.

To further complicate the issue, I receive 10% disability from the VA, would this negatively harm my chances of getting in?

Please help.

Thank-you,
Jeremy

Jeremy, I was 4 years USAF, THEN went UW and joined Army ROTC right away and completed 20 as a Major.. In your case you missed that already, so you are out of it.. But before I say anything wrong I suggest you go straight to a U campus that has ROTC and see them. They know all the ropes, also on your VA stuff. But don't get your hopes too high. I believe disability disqualifies you, but I am not certain.

[ringjamesa]

honestly i wouldn't talk to recruiters. they want to funnel you to enlist. they don't focus too much on the officer side.

I'd go talk to some local AFROTC detachment at a college in your area. they are experts in the officer pipeline side and can help you out....if they can't help you they will know who you should talk to

Wrong, wrong, wrong. An ROTC instructor cannot help you at all-you have already graduated or are within a year of graduation. You need to talk to the OFFICER ACCESSIONS recruiter. An EA recruiter probably won't even talk to you because they are extremenly selective on the PS folks they work.

[ringjamesa]

Little confused. You don't get a DD form 214 and the end of your acvtive enlistment? I have a few of those for every time I re-enlisted. They say "Honorable Discharge" on them.:D

But yes - I would talk to an Officer Accessions recruiter, AND I would also query a nearby AFROTC detachment. That might get you most of the answers that you need.

As I recall, we have (or had) a hard time keeping Comptroller bilets filled. Wasn't that long ago, but I don't know if that is still the case.

You must have the only 214 on the planet that says that then. Generally, block 23 says the type of Separation-Release or Discharge and block 24 says the character of service-Honorable, General, General under Honorable conditions, Other than Honorable, etc... I have seen literally hundreds of 214s and have NEVER seen one that said "Honorable Discharge" on it anywhere.

[Gunner007]

I did have an eight year commitment. I did four years active duty and got out in 2007. My degree is in accounting. Not the most in need military job but there are accountants in the Air Force. If need-be, I can do something else.

Hell we got pilots with degrees in fitness and dang near anything you can think of. One of our guys was a gym teacher at some point!

[BENDER56]

Wrong, wrong, wrong. An ROTC instructor cannot help you at all-you have already graduated or are within a year of graduation. You need to talk to the OFFICER ACCESSIONS recruiter. An EA recruiter probably won't even talk to you because they are extremenly selective on the PS folks they work.

No joke. I'm at a training squadron and we're getting a lot more Airman coming in lately with four-year degrees. When I ask them if they looked into getting a commission, virtually all of them tell me that their recruiter said "it would be better for them to have enlisted experience before becoming an officer". I put that in quotation marks because they all say it almost word-for-word -- as if ... oh, I don't know ... as if the recruiters are trained to tell them that?

[Capt Alfredo]

No joke. I'm at a training squadron and we're getting a lot more Airman coming in lately with four-year degrees. When I ask them if they looked into getting a commission, virtually all of them tell me that their recruiter said "it would be better for them to have enlisted experience before becoming an officer". I put that in quotation marks because they all say it almost word-for-word -- as if ... oh, I don't know ... as if the recruiters are trained to tell them that?

I look at that as the first test of suitability for officership: if you're dumb enough to believe that, I don't want you being an officer in the Air Force! /me shakes head

Let me clarify: it's not dumb to think that enlisted experience will make you a better officer - it's dumb to think that enlisted experience will increase your odds of being selected for a commissioning opportunity.

[Joker76]

YOu are all asking the wrong questions..giving the wrong advice...all that matters is whether or not you have a 32 in waiste and whether or not you can run 1.5 miles without dieing...if you can....welcome to the USAF.

[BENDER56]

I look at that as the first test of suitability for officership: if you're dumb enough to believe that, I don't want you being an officer in the Air Force! /me shakes head.

That's actually very clever.

But the point remains -- uwilltap3 needs to talk to someone in officer accessions.

[-USMC-Woman]

I actually was able to talk to a recruiter about coming back in as an officer. I was an enlisted marine for four years also. To get back in as an officer, you must have a degree (which you have or will have) and must be willing to waive your rights of disability compensation over (if you have a disability). Yes, it does depend on what your disability is also as long as it's not something that will hinder you physically. I do not know how accurate this is, but that is what I was told. I just received my bachelors and am considering going back in as an officer for the Marines. I'll let you know what happens.

[-USMC-Woman]

I also forgot to note one thing. Just to let you know, Air Force recruiters are prone to turn away prior enlisted marines because of our status. I know several marines who wanted to go into the air force after getting out of the marines and were unable to. I do not know if that's the case for everyone everywhere, but even online we have complaints of such things. Do not let that ruin your decision to become an officer, should that happen. There are other branches who would gladly accept you as a one of the few and the proud, the marines.

[thegerm78]

It is possible, I am proof! I was in eight years enlisted Marine and am now a finance officer in the AF. I was also 60% disabled from the VA so it is completely possible you can come in as an O. However I would caution you to think this through very thoroughly as I am thinking of going back into the MC, can't say I have really enjoyed my time that much. As to why I would say the lack of camaraderie and WAY too many additional duties.

[usmc19812000]

I tried to go in the Air Force around January 08, no joy, theywerent accepting any Prior enlisted. So, here I am back in the Corps

[ringjamesa]

I look at that as the first test of suitability for officership: if you're dumb enough to believe that, I don't want you being an officer in the Air Force! /me shakes head

Let me clarify: it's not dumb to think that enlisted experience will make you a better officer - it's dumb to think that enlisted experience will increase your odds of being selected for a commissioning opportunity.

Then you have absolutely no perspective. In some cases it does increase your chances and in others, it is the ONLY route. For example, if one wanted to join the AFR and wanted to be an officer and they didn't want to/qualify for flying positions and didn't have other qualifiers-Top Secret Clearance, Masters of Divinity, Law Degree and have passed the bar... they could work for literally YEARS to get in as an officer and be no further ahead than when they started. For the AFR, to become an officer they have to go into a Valid Vacant Poaition-there aren't many out there in this post force shaping world. If they went Enlisted first, they can be enlisted in about 30 days (with no issues) go to basic training and tech school, come back and apply for a commission through the Deserving Airman Program (can go into an overage position or a projected vacancy) and be on their way to OTS before the shlub that is "too good" to go Enlisted even gets a job. So your statement that anyone that believes that Enlisting can be their best route to a commission is dumb is asinine and proves you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.