Army Reserve to Air Force ROTC

[SenJames]

Hello,

I am still in TRADOC right now, and I am wanting after finishing my AIT and go back to my home state to join and hopefully contract with the Air Force ROTC detachment near my school. I want to know if is possible, and would I have to leave the Army to do this before possibly commissioning?

I hope these questions were clear, and I was as specific as possible.

Please reply.

 

[AROTC Parent]

Hello,

I am still in TRADOC right now, and I am wanting after finishing my AIT and go back to my home state to join and hopefully contract with the Air Force ROTC detachment near my school. I want to know if is possible, and would I have to leave the Army to do this before possibly commissioning?

I hope these questions were clear, and I was as specific as possible.

Please reply.

If you are in TRADOC right now you either joined the Army Reserve, NG, or Active Duty. You signed a contract. You will have to complete that Army contract prior to joining AFROTC or be released from the Army contract prior to joining AFROTC.

Be careful how you leave the Army (chapter, ELS, failure to adapt ...), it could impact your ability to join the AF or commission in any service. Why would the Army pay to train you then release you to the AF? How many years are on your Army contract? Sometimes the best way out is to complete your commitment.

 

[SenJames]

I have 6 years in my Reserve Contract, but before then, probably immediately I would like to contract with a ROTC detachment.

 

[Pima]

If I am reading you correctly, you have 6 yrs to pay back to the Army. I would talk to your Reserve Commander. My guess is you can't because....
As an AFROTC cadet during the summer of your rising junior year you would go to SFT. Upon returning you will be a POC, at that point you will sign commitment paperwork to serve ADAF upon commissioning. You can't serve ADAF if you still owe time to the Army.
~ Think about it, what if an action occurs and your Reserve unit is called up, but you are serving ADAF. There is a conflict of interest. The Army can't deploy you since you are ADAF.

Your Reserve Commander may be able to release you so you can go ADAF, but be prepared to answer a question. Why the AF and not the Army?

 

[SenJames]

I respect both branches equally and believe I would do well and either one of them, but truthfully, my heart as always been with the Air Force. It has always been a dream of mine to be apart of it, and now that I am in a better position than times prior, I want to give it another try. My next goal is to commission, and I'd rather do that and be happier with my decision. I would rather be in the Air Force.

 

[AROTC Parent]

I respect both branches equally and believe I would do well and either one of them, but truthfully, my heart as always been with the Air Force. It has always been a dream of mine to be apart of it, and now that I am in a better position than times prior, I want to give it another try. My next goal is to commission, and I'd rather do that and be happier with my decision. I would rather be in the Air Force.

SenJames - Did you ever seek the counsel of an Army Recruiting and Operations Officer (ROO) at an Army ROTC unit in November 2015 as suggested by user 'Bull' and as you indicated you would? What guidance did they provide? I think you've got yourself into a bind.

You are contractually obligated for 6 years to the Army Reserve. You will not be able to sign an AF ROTC contract in that 6 years unless you are released from the Reserves with a 'good' separation code. As PIMA suggested talk to your Reserve Commander when you get to your unit.

I suspect you are having second thoughts about having joined the Army and are looking for an 'escape'. This is pretty common in Basic and AIT (Enlisted Army Training) and it can be stressful. Don't make any poor decisions while in training that can impact your future. When you complete this phase of training you might feel better about it.