Blue to Green (B2G) general information

I have noticed a few questions on this topic and hope that this will provide most of the information you will need if you have interest in this program.

1. All Naval and Air Force installations have a dedicated B2G point of contact and they will be your best source of information.

2. Your personnel NCO should be able to direct you to your local B2G contact.

3. U.S. Army Recruiting Command has a monthly briefing on most sister service installations on B2G.

4. You will eventually be referred to an Army Recruiter to process your transfer, if you desire to take advantage of the program.

5. If you are unable to find your local POC, tell me your post name and I will let you know (the combined lists are too large to post here).

6. There are occasional changes to the program so ensure that the information you get from here is still accurate. This posting is in no way intended to answer every question, nor do I claim that all information herein is accurate. This can be a starting place but remember every situation is unique. In other words, do not try to sue me.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Q1. What are some of the benefits of this program?

• E-1 through E-4 will retain the same rank.
• Applicants in the grade of E-5

• and above will have eligibility determined by Human Resources Command.
• Training - AFSCs or Rates that convert to Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) will only undergo the Warrior Transition Course. Retraining into other Army MOS may be possible based on individual's qualifications and training vacancies.
• Bonuses may be available for selected Military Occupational Specialties that convert from an AFSC or Rate.
• Officers will retain their grade and date of rank.
• Officers will receive branch specific training as needed.

Q2. Describe the purpose of this Program?

A2. Operation Blue to Green allows Service members to continue to serve their country, to maintain the benefits of military service, and to expand their horizons by gaining new training and trying new things. It facilitates the transfer of qualified individuals from the Air Force and Navy to active duty in the Army.

Q3. Is this another example of the Army searching to fill out their ranks?

A3. This initiative is expected to benefit DOD in retaining manpower within DOD and also assisting the Army in meeting increases in end strength. This initiative reduces training cost of prior service accessions and retains service members desiring to continue to serve their country.

Q4. Will those in Officer Candidate status have the opportunity to switch over?

A4. Airman and Sailors will be allowed the opportunity to apply for Army Officer Candidate School if otherwise qualified.

Q5. Does the 8-year military obligation still apply?

A5. Eight-year service obligation still applies, but will not change their current Military Service Obligation.

Q6. What is the minimum obligation for term of service under this Program?

A6. The minimum term of service is three years for Active Army.

Q7. Let’s say that a Sailor has 50 days left on his enlistment, yet has found a suitable MOS conversion and seat in the Warrior Transition Course. Will the Navy release him or her at that point?

A7.The Air Force and Navy will evaluate requests to change the original separation dates for Airmen and Sailors who have a confirmed reservation with the Army.

Q8. The Army has high physical standards. At what point will the prior service person have to meet these standards?

A8.As the Airmen and Sailors transition into the Army, the physical standards will be required upon graduation from their MOS training school or upon arrival at their initial unit as directed by their unit commander.

Q9. Bonuses are part of this program. Will everyone get one, or just select MOSs?

A9.Prior service enlisting under this operation may be qualified to receive one of the following provided they are qualified and select an incentivized MOS: Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) or a Prior Service Enlistment Bonus (PSEB) to support continuum of service where applicable under the MILPER message and HQDA enlistment incentive message. PS applicants attending the Warrior Transition Course are only eligible for SRB or PSEB, if otherwise qualified. Human Resource Command will provide USAREC with a list of current SRB incentives.

Q10. How does the taxpayer benefit?

A10. Taxpayers will benefitin terms of cost savings by reducing the 9-week training time course for Prior Service to 4 weeks.

Q11. Is the Warrior Transition Course new to the Army? And what types of training can the new Soldiers expect?

A11. Training and Doctrine Command created a list of basic skills these new Soldiers will need to have. These skills will be taught by instructors, not drill sergeants and the new Soldiers will be treated as non-commissioned officers. After the WTC, if the service member has a skill that can convert to an Army MOS they will be assigned to a unit; if not they will go to Advanced Individual Training.

WTC will be a four-week course in basic combat skills training. In this course, they will go through Air Force/Navy to Army Orientation (organization, rank, uniform wear, career progression), Army Values, Physical Training (to include confidence and obstacle courses and foot marches), drill and ceremony / manual of arms, basic map reading/land navigation course, and basic combat skills.

Airmen and Sailors currently attend full 9 weeks basic upon enlisting in the Army.

Q12. What installation is the Warrior Transition Courses taught at?

A12. The initial class is starting on 3 Sept 04 at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Q13. Break down the numbers for the Services and what the Army projects to gain from each service.

A13. The Air Force and Navy are projected to reduce their active duty strength (Air Force by 22,500 and the Navy by 7,900 (officer and enlisted) by the end of FY05. And the Army is projected to receive 1,800.

Q14. What types of MOSs is the Army looking for in compatibility?

A14. Airmen and Sailors will be offered retraining opportunities in the Army. HRC determines the Top 25 MOS needed for the Army, but Airmen and Sailors may be offered other MOS options based on Army vacancies.

Q15. If the gaining Service member has a contractual partial bonus / prorated, paid for instance in installments, will the Army meet that obligation as well?

A15. OSD and Air Force are currently working this issue. The Navy has no issue with this.

Q16. Will you take Service members who require a completely new MOS and training?

A16. Yes. Airmen and Sailors may have the opportunity to choose a new MOS to be trained in.

Q17. Will the Army Reserve and National Guard have an opportunity to compete for these Service members?

A17. The intent in this program is to offer Active duty to separating Airmen and Sailors. Members who choose to separate without transferring to the Army may enlist in the Army Reserve or National Guard. This is a current option to any Service Member that separates from active duty, provided they are otherwise qualified.

Q18. Will the Service member have an opportunity to know what type unit they will be placed in? Will they know the deployment plan of that unit?

A19. Airmen and Sailors will be offered assignment opportunities to choose from prior to deciding to transition to the Army.

Q20. How long will this program be in place?

A20. The Navy is scheduled to continue their Force Shaping Program through 2006.

Q21. Will current Soldiers see this as a disadvantage? For instance competing for promotions when others can come in at a certain rank?

A21. We currently allow Soldiers to enter the Army at the same grade provided they are otherwise qualified.

Q22. Will current Soldiers be offered the same enlistment bonuses as those coming in from other Services?

A22. Airmen and Sailors are being offered the same bonuses that are currently offered to other Soldiers enlisting in the Army.

Q23. Where do Sailors and Airmen go to for processing? To the nearest Army recruiting station?

A23. Airmen and Sailors will report to the nearest Army recruiting station to process for enlistment into the Army.

Q24. How will housing be handled for Sailors and Airmen who may be living in military housing? For those who live in the civilian community?

A24. OSD and Air Force currently working the housing issue. If they currently reside in off-post housing it is in not a problem.

Q25. Will Sailors and Airmen be able to choose their first duty assignment location?

A25. Airmen and Sailors will be offered assignment opportunities to choose from prior to deciding to transition to the Army.

Q26. Do you think Sailors and Airmen will have difficulty adapting to a different military culture?

A26. Airmen or Sailors probably won’t have any difficulty adapting to Army culture.

Q27. Are the benefits and quality of life in the Army the same as in the Air Force and the Navy?

A27. Quality of Life is measured by the individual and is very subjective from person to person. Career Soldiers would argue in favor of QOL in the Army, while on the other hand members from others would argue likewise for their branch.

Q28. Can Sailors and Airmen who haven't been identified for separation take advantage of this program?

A28. The Air Force and Navy have identified personnel who qualify to participate in Operation Blue to Green.

Q29. What are going to be the career opportunities for the Sailors and Airmen who transfer into the Army? Will they be at a competitive disadvantage to those Soldiers who have spent their entire careers in the Army? How does the career promotion system in the Army compare to the systems in the Air Force and Navy?

A29. Airmen and Sailors will have equal opportunities to compete for promotions along side their Army peers. The overarching benefit of this program is the opportunity to complete their military career in the Army.

Q30. Can Marines and Coast Guardsman participate in this program?

A30. Through the Army’s normal Prior Service program, Marines and Coast Guardsman may obtain releases from their service in order to reserve training/assignment options, but will have to complete their current active duty service obligation prior to enlisting in the Army.