transfer from one military college to another

marjasse

5-Year Member
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Dec 9, 2012
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Is it possible to transfer from the air force academy to the naval academy? If so, how does that work?
 
As noted by Luigi you can't really "transfer" between Academies. You wouldn't necessarily have to disenroll, but you would have to complete the entire application process for the other Academy including congressional nomination.

I had one kid in my class at USMMA who did this and went all the way to Recognition plebe year before leaving and starting all over again in the summer at USNA.

Obviously this is not a recommended path.
 
Echo the above. Also, if you don't like SA #1, it is pretty unlikely that you're going to love SA #2. Obviously, there are differences among the SAs. However, most people who leave a SA do so for reasons related to SAs/the military in general (i.e., too many restrictions, dislike of military lifestyle) and those issues are unlikely to change merely because one changes SAs.
 
transfer from one military college to another'

thank you for the information. The only reason I had thought of this option is our congressman said if he cannot get you the nom to the 1st Academy of choice he can most likely give one to the 2nd academy if the person is qualified.
 
thank you for the information. The only reason I had thought of this option is our congressman said if he cannot get you the nom to the 1st Academy of choice he can most likely give one to the 2nd academy if the person is qualified.

That is because most applicants to service academies simply have the desire to serve their country, therefore they don't really care which SA they attend, even though they have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice.

A SA is a SA. It will allow you to be a commissioned officer in the military. That is all some people really care about when choosing.
 
That is because most applicants to service academies simply have the desire to serve their country, therefore they don't really care which SA they attend, even though they have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice.

A SA is a SA. It will allow you to be a commissioned officer in the military. That is all some people really care about when choosing.

I don't think this is true. Each service is different, very different. There are people who apply to each service academy. I applied to the sea-focused three.... that said, I was focused on a specific branch, and that went into my decision. I didn't apply just to one day become and officer. I applied to a specific academy to one day become an officer in that specific branch.

You can serve your country in a million different ways, some more directly involved with the American people than military service, but if you're applying to a service academy, you should do as much research on the associated branch.
 
I see both sides but my son really wants to be an officer in the Marine Corps.
 
I don't think this is true. Each service is different, very different. There are people who apply to each service academy. I applied to the sea-focused three.... that said, I was focused on a specific branch, and that went into my decision. I didn't apply just to one day become and officer. I applied to a specific academy to one day become an officer in that specific branch.

You can serve your country in a million different ways, some more directly involved with the American people than military service, but if you're applying to a service academy, you should do as much research on the associated branch.

Agreed. I think the vast majority if not all care very much how they serve, where they go. Statements like this may not intended to be harmful or destructive, but it is important within the context of this forum that incorrect communiques be addressed, that credible information genuinely beneficial to candidates and interested parties might be allowed to prevail.

Thanks LineInTheSand.
 
Agreed. I think the vast majority if not all care very much how they serve, where they go. Statements like this may not intended to be harmful or destructive, but it is important within the context of this forum that incorrect communiques be addressed, that credible information genuinely beneficial to candidates and interested parties might be allowed to prevail.

Thanks LineInTheSand.

I was simply passing along information that I heard at my local Academy Day. Of course students will have their top choice of branch and academy, but in the circumstance that they may not receive a nomination to that Academy, they may consider other academies.

In the words of an AF officer on the nomination board in my district, "If you are applying to a SA, you obviously have a desire to serve. If you are applying to one, apply to all of them. In the end, you will serve your country."

Though this does not apply to me, as I am only applying to one academy, I certainly believe it applies to others. For example, if you want to be an aviator, there are aviation tracks in almost all of the academies. Therefore, depending on what you desire to fly, or what missions you prefer, the academy does not matter, because in the end, you are still going to fly(hopefully). I'm not saying this applies to everyone, I am simply stating the reason why others want a nomination to their second or third choice to answer the OP's question.
 
Not much flying for officers (other than Warrant Officers) in the Army. None in the Merchant Marine. Not sure if USCG officers can be helo pilots but I don't think it's a long term career path as it is in the USAF and USN.

If you want to be a ground officer, you'd better pick USMA or USNA (USMC) as it won't be happening in the USAF, USCG, or Merchant Marine.

Many want to serve but not all want to serve in every single warfare specialty. So, your choice of SA does make a difference for those who have particular desire in terms of service selection.
 
Not sure if USCG officers can be helo pilots but I don't think it's a long term career path as it is in the USAF and USN.

It's a long term career path in the Coast Guard. Once you're an O-5 and certainly as an O-6, much less time in the air, but you have more leadership roles at air stations at that point.

It has the helo community is held just as high, if not higher, than the fixed-wing community, in the Coast Guard.
 
... In the words of an AF officer on the nomination board in my district, "If you are applying to a SA, you obviously have a desire to serve. If you are applying to one, apply to all of them. In the end, you will serve your country." ....
With all respect for that man's service to our country, I'd beg to disagree. We've had a thread recently you might want to read, even though this doesn't apply to you. The SAs are distinct and different. But far more important is where each leads. Great variety and disparity.

I'm always a bit surprised at how many candidates seem to have no discernment about these differences and/or no regard for those. Despite what some may perceive, I'm doubtful that driving a tank is analogous to driving a submarine. Or flying a drone is like flying an F-18. There are good reasons for having 3 or 5 very distinctive SAs. Viva la differance!
 
Just to add some confusion to the issue: cadets graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy DO have the option of a reserve commission in any of the armed services. Now in the matter of the Marine Corps, I would suspect that the route to a commission would be a bit more difficult than it would be as a grad of USNA or MROTC. It might be something to investigate - post haste.
 
Not sure if USCG officers can be helo pilots...

All Coast Guard pilots, fixed-wing or helicopter, are commissioned officers.

At one time the Navy had a flight training program for enlisted Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard personnel. An officer pilot was called a "Naval Aviator" while an enlisted pilot was called a Naval Aviation Pilot (NAP). The Navy eliminated enlisted pilot training back in 1948.

The last enlisted CG pilot was ADCM John Greathouse, who retired from active duty in 1979.

The main road at ATC Mobile is named after him.

:cool:
 
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