Apply from sister service, or ets and apply as civilian?

[Dbargs]

I'm AD Air Force right now, I ETS in November. As of now, all I have accomplished for my packet is the flight physical.

 

My question is, If I don't get picked up on an active duty board, would my chances for selection improve if I let my contract run out and apply as a civilian? Has anyone here tried this before?

 

Thanks

[Creep0321]

You need 12 months on contract in order to apply as AD, so as of now (without extending or re-enlisting) you dont even have the option to apply AD. As for applying as a civilian, thats up to you, they do seem to have a high selection rate as of late, however consider civilian education and who you will be competing against. Also consider your financial and employment state post AD prior to submiting for a board as a civilian, due to that and the fact I have a family, I re-enlisted and applied from the AD side (USMC to USA).

[AFmarksman]

If you weren't applying, would you stay active Air Force or get out and go back to civilian life? If you'd stay active, re-enlist/extend and apply to the AD board. If you'd get out, ETS and apply as a civilian. Your chances have less to do with whether you're AD or civilian, and more to do with the quality and substance of your packet.

[Bdavidson7]

You need 12 months on contract in order to apply as AD, so as of now (without extending or re-enlisting) you dont even have the option to apply AD. As for applying as a civilian, thats up to you, they do seem to have a high selection rate as of late, however consider civilian education and who you will be competing against. Also consider your financial and employment state post AD prior to submiting for a board as a civilian, due to that and the fact I have a family, I re-enlisted and applied from the AD side (USMC to USA).

 

i was actually told that if you are prior service even from a sister service that you are AD applicant. im about 7 months from my EAOS for the navy and im still required to get a conditional release for this program. even the recruiter said i would be apply as AD sense im still in. makes no sense for me to compete with civilians from college when iv been deployed and not able to work on my degree like them.

[cwil7280]

 

makes no sense for me to compete with civilians from college when iv been deployed and not able to work on my degree like them.

Yes, but for a Warrant packet all that's required is a high school diploma. Of course college makes you more competitive, but if you are on a board with civilian applicants, I believe that your military service will make you stand out. I went in "street to seat" while I was currently in the Air Guard, had a deployment and only a 2 year degree from a community college and got picked up. I honestly believe that being among civilian applicants with my military LORs and experience made me more competitive than my little 2 year gen-ed degree from the cheapest college in the state.

[Dbargs]

If you weren't applying, would you stay active Air Force or get out and go back to civilian life? If you'd stay active, re-enlist/extend and apply to the AD board. If you'd get out, ETS and apply as a civilian. Your chances have less to do with whether you're AD or civilian, and more to do with the quality and substance of your packet.

That's what I needed to hear. Thank You.