Service Transfer

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falcon100

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If I voluntarily resign from the Air Force Academy, am I still eligible to attend the Naval Academy?
 
I'm pretty sure you can just transfer,as long as you submit your app/info for USNA.... Don't quote me on this, but don't quit USAFA I'd say, untill you hear back from USNA!

Some other more reliable people can also chime-in.
 
Eligibility is one thing. Whether or not USNA would want you is another thing. Make sure your story holds together logically, from when you started the SA application process to when you accepted USAFA’s offer of appointment to when you decided to leave to when you opted to apply to USNA. By leaving one SA, you’re waving a yellow flag when applying to another. You’ll need a very good explanation.
 
Highly unlikely. “Eligibility” is one thing, and that’s probably fine depending on your age, health, and why you left, but getting through Admissions is the challenge. One of the main things the Academy is asking is “How likely is this person to complete these difficult 4 years and graduate?” If you have resigned from another service academy (which have some obvious differences but are very similar too), you immediately give them a great deal of pause. I think that’s an impossible hill to climb unless you’ve got an extremely compelling reason why you had to leave one Academy, and even then there would still be major questions given the option to take leave of absences.

I do know of someone who transfered from the Air Force Academy to the Naval Academy, but that is part of a new program for victims of sexual assault. If you heard of transferring, then this is probably what it was. It’s not something you can just apply for.

Assuming you’re currently a cadet, you’ve got a great gig right now and I would recommend sticking with it if you are committed to being an officer in the military. The grass is not always greener on the other side. I hear some mids say they wish they went to AFA sometimes. If you’re an applicant and your heart is set on being a naval officer, then don’t go to the Air Force Academy.

All that said, if you’re a cadet at the Air Force Academy that wants to be a naval officer look into cross-commissioning, which is highly competitive but possible, or of you do leave, you may still be able to attend OCS. I don’t know much about that pursuing that path but I’m sure there’s a lot of info around. Good luck to you.
 
To add to what @Kierkegaard said, please don’t think you can “just transfer”. That option is not real.

Why did you apply to the AFA, why did you seek nominations? Why did you accept the appointment? The answers to these questions might help you navigate this speed bump.
 
Interesting question. I never really thought of it, and was surprised to see how many times similar questions were asked in the past in SAF.

The consensus is that while it is possibly possible, it wouldn't be easy, as others have posted.

The good news is, if your desire is to become a Naval or Marine officer, there are other routes to that goal outide of attending USNA.

I wish you luck and hope you put 110% into your decision.
 
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It’s probably easier to finish your education at the Air Force Academy and commission in the Navy afterward.
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Dr. Strange Love said:
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It’s probably easier to finish your education at the Air Force Academy and commission in the Navy afterward.
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Cross-commisioning is probably the biggest unicorn of all.

But your post makes me wonder... Which is worse? Interest in another branch or leaving altogether? It is not uncommon at all for people to drop out of an academy each year and go onto a civilian school and a civilian life, and be able to have one or two years of college credits to take along with them at no personal expense. Why not make it easier to transfer to another academy? Wouldn't that benefit the tax payers?

I'm not saying it is that simple or should be made a habit, but why not in certain cases? Maybe it is worth a look.
 
Service Transfer
falcon100 said:
If I voluntarily resign from the Air Force Academy, am I still eligible to attend the Naval Academy?
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There is just so little to go on here. Given no context, "voluntarily resign" means quit to me. It doesn't mean separated for any mental or physical health, or academic reason. It doesn't mean separated for any rules or Code violation. It doesn't mean separated for any criminal behavior either by you or directed toward you. It means that you just decided that it wasn't for you and you quit.

If you drop out of an all-expenses-paid bachelors program, what could possibly make you think that a nearly identical program would welcome you and graciously extend to you the same deal? The academies go to great lengths to admit only candidates whom they think can make it through the four years, commission, and become active officers in their service of choice for at least their standard commitment.
 
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falcon100 said:
If I voluntarily resign from the Air Force Academy, am I still eligible to attend the Naval Academy?
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You don’t provide much context, which is your prerogative, including whether you are an actual USAFA cadet or doing some applicant what-if thinking while you are applying to both but not sure which path is for you, whether you can get a do-over.

If you are in your first two years at USAFA, then you know you can resign and walk away with no obligation. You are free to apply anywhere, as long as you meet the academic, medical, physical and age criteria. If you are struggling with any aspect of academics, conduct, military aptitude, honor, etc., that grass is not greener at USNA.

If you are a cadet in good standing and doing well, but realize what you really want is a career in the water, under the water, over the water, water-related and salty around the edges, you would have to learn how to articulate that in nomination interviews, BGO interviews, essays and be fully prepared to embrace starting completely over, because you know a career in the Navy or Marine Corps is your true calling. You might be able to validate some classes you took at USAFA or based on HS, but you would be a plebe and do 4 years. Your chances would likely be low, because the bailing from USAFA, for whatever reason, is a flag.

As noted by others, if you realize Navy or Marine Corps is your true calling, don’t limit yourself to USNA, explore NROTC, OCS, etc.

Finally, if you are a cadet and are being allowed to voluntarily resign in lieu of disciplinary action related to conduct or other issues which would probably result in involuntary separation, your military separation document, the DD-214, will have an “RE code” that determines whether you are eligible to serve in the military in any branch, ever, or could be waivered, or, free and clear to serve again, among a range of codes available. That will be a determining factor if you are a USAFA cadet.
 
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It is VERY difficult to move from one SA to another or one service to another. Perhaps it shouldn't be, but it is. Below is discussion of several options.

Apply to SA #2 while attending SA#1. There's nothing that says you can't. However, as a practical matter, the chances of doing this successfully are close to zero -- even as a stellar candidate. Why? SAs don't want to be seen as "poaching" each other's students. Also, they don't want to set a precedent of not choosing wisely in the first place -- i.e., hey, I'll just get into one SA and then I can switch. Had a candidate try applying from one SA to another about a decade ago -- 4.0, top in class in peer review, A in PE -- even had letters from SA#1 stating that he would be great at SA#2. No dice.

Resign from SA#1 and then apply to SA#2. Odds are probably a TINY bit better than the option above - again assuming you've done really, really well at SA#1. However, it's going to be tough to explain how you now know that SA#2 is the right place for you. You may know you don't like SA#1 but how do you know you will like SA#2? Also, SAs don't want to create a precedent of people applying and quitting and then going to another SA.

Inter-service transfer. Odds are about 0.1% (at least for USANA). Each year, somewhere between zero and two mids do inter-service transfer upon graduation. It typically involves a series of circumstances starting with exceptional performance. Also, they look at whether you applied to SA for the new service and weren't accepted, did an exchange semester at SA#2 and excelled, have a family history with the new service and want a career field that isn't available to you with the first service. You should NEVER count on this happening for you.

Leave SA#1 and pursue a different option for Service #2. This could include ROTC or OCS. Probably the best odds because it's not a case of one SA pilfering another and an OCS-type program probably won't care as much that you left a SA. Again, however, you need to have excelled at SA#1 -- it's not easy to get into OCS.

For the OP, it's important to think through whether you are unhappy with SA#1 or unhappy with the military / SAs in general. While each SA and service clearly is different, at the end of the day the military is the military and there are more similarities than differences among the services. There is nothing wrong with deciding the military lifestyle isn'f for you -- that's why SAs give cadets / mids two years to make a decision.

My personal view is that there is a small subset of young people who end up at the "wrong" SA for them -- they really would thrive at another SA and there should be a mechanism for this to happen. However, for the reasons stated above, there aren't a lot of options. The bottom line for those considering which SA to attend, do your best to determine if it's the right one for you. Visit if possible. Talk to current mids / cadets as well as recent grads. Do NOT attend any SA, hoping you like it and figuring you can just "switch" if you don't.
 
What comes to my mind would be the “why”. That’s very important to the outcome of your inquiry, to me.

Think about it , you will still have competition for an appointmnet. And in my mind, why would admissions seek to appoint someone who voluntarily left (quit), VS another highly competitive candidate who has demonstrated grit and perseverance.

It really is hard to help you, not knowing your situation (candidate applying, struggling cadet? Accepted your 2nd choice SA by you didn’t get appointed to 1st choice?). And I’ll tell you that people here have seen/heard it all Most here are compassionate, caring people with tons of experience in all things. So if you care to share more, do. And you will get good advice/help.

I always advise to seek counsel from people beyond your parents: high school counselor if a candidate, chaplains if a candidate. To help with clarity of your ponderings. Especially the latter of a struggling cadet.

But, to answer your question, I wouldn’t count on a transfer at all. And then be pleasantly surprised if it comes about. As with all applications, work a SOLID backup plan.
 
I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess you are a doolie and are not getting out of it what you thought. Grades may be struggling, too much extra PT or maybe can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. You are closer to recognition than you were two months ago. Keep fighting, it’s supposed to suck a little and be tough on you. Recognition changes your lifestyle a lot. Just my 2 cents but if I’m right stick it out. If you still want to try to go USNA do it after you complete your first year. Apply for the semester exchange to see if even it is a good fit would be best case scenario.
 
My coworker had a son at West Point who decided Army was not path he wanted. He left and went to state school where he joined NROTC. He graduated with his commission this May and is now in pilot training in Pensacola. So he didn’t move to another academy (although I think he considered it), he did change service branches and in the end is very happy.
 
Only one post by the OP.
I do think there is a push for "kids" to go to college and SA's immediately after high school. This sometimes results in people choosing a SA when it's not the best fit, or perhaps leaving and finding out later that they made a mistake by leaving.
I have heard of some people who mature, realize their mistakes, apply for readmission, and are successful. It's rare. But it happens.
We shall see if the OP is serious and responds.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
Only one post by the OP.
I do think there is a push for "kids" to go to college and SA's immediately after high school. This sometimes results in people choosing a SA when it's not the best fit, or perhaps leaving and finding out later that they made a mistake by leaving.
I have heard of some people who mature, realize their mistakes, apply for readmission, and are successful. It's rare. But it happens.
We shall see if the OP is serious and responds.
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"I do think there is a push for "kids" to go to college and SA's immediately after high school."

True. I teach in the career and technical education arena but there's still a push toward college. Not every kid is ready for college, especially right after graduating high school. I teach medical subjects but routinely talk about the trades, e.g., plumbing, electrician, auto tech etc. I often ask rhetorically, "Do you know how much a plumber makes?" None of my students want to be plumbers but my point is there are other occupations besides physician.

"If my AC breaks who will come in and fix it? Not a surgeon.'
 
Devil Doc said:
. Not every kid is ready for college, especially right after graduating high school. I teach medical subjects but routinely talk about the trades, e.g., plumbing, electrician, auto tech etc. I often ask rhetorically, "Do you know how much a plumber makes?" None of my students want to be plumbers but my point is there are other occupations besides physician.
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Absolutely -- 100% true . I live in the Heartland --and one of the common themes I have heard from clients and community leaders over the years has been how hard it is to find good workers in our plants and factories. High Schools tend to judge their success by how many kids they send to college, not how they prepare a kid for the real world. We need people to man our factories and fix things ! One can make a good living in the trades.

There is often a similar attitude about enlisting in the Navy (or other branch). Many think that a kid graduating from HS should go directly to college , and that somehow enlisting in the Service is somehow not fulfilling their potential. To the contrary --many young kids (actually guys more than women) really don't know what they want to do, and enlisting in the military is a good "first job." I've seen a lot of good young men and women "find themself" and leave the military knowing what they want to do, and they get more out of college when they go. Of course, there are those that join the Service to find themselves..and wake up 20+ years later as senior enlisted-the backbone of any service. (I had a guy on one of my crews, 20+ years, First Class PO with more flight time literally around the world, and he was still sticking around because he didn't know what he wanted to do when he grew up !)
 
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