Army to Navy OCS - Keeping Pay-grade

[eas7888]

Let me preface this question with this bit of information: I tried searching the forums and I was unable to find the necessary answers. So, with that out of the way...

Does anyone have any experience with switching from another service (Air Force, Marine Corps, or Army) to the Navy, and being allowed to keep your current pay-grade?

Right now, I am a Staff Sergeant (E6) in the Army, and I have been professionally recommended by the board, however, before I swear in, I wanted to verify if I am able to keep my current pay-grade when I ship to OCS.

My recruiter isn't sure of this, as I am the first inter-service transfer she's done that is above an E5. Any help that can be provided would be most appreciated.

 

[Shakeszilla]

http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_faq.asp

"What can I expect for pay and benefits?
You will be considered on active duty from the day you leave home. You will receive the pay of an E-5, or your current pay-grade if higher. If you are married and/or have children, the Navy will add a tax-free Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to your E-5 base pay. Depending on your individual situation, you may be eligible for Family Separation Allowance (FSA) if your dependents don’t live in the Newport area. You will receive a brief on pay, allowances and benefits within the first week of your arrival."

I Figure its the same across all services.

 

[SynixMan]

Congrats on the Pro Rec! You should be paid at the E-6 rate. We had Marines that were prior E-6s and got that pay. It might be a bit wonky at first though, so hopefully you're not paycheck to paycheck if they have to fix it.

 

[SpaceApe29]

EAS - thanks for the recon on this. I'd like to know myself since I'm 100% for the November board! Points are maxed out for SSG, yes even in the Infantry I know that's insane, so I'll stay an E-5/P for a while.

Question: I'll be coming directly from another combat tour to Afghanistan to OCS (I clear post pre-deployment so direct to OCS) and was wondering do I get to keep my accumulated leave days? If so, will I be able to take my 30 days after OCS?

Just general questions. Opinions and stories are welcome.

 

[eas7888]

Congrats on the Pro Rec! You should be paid at the E-6 rate. We had Marines that were prior E-6s and got that pay. It might be a bit wonky at first though, so hopefully you're not paycheck to paycheck if they have to fix it.

Thanks Synix. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep it. I worked hard for my rank/pay, and being able to keep it while I'm earning my commission would be Icing on the cake, especially considering it's almost $300/month difference.

EAS - thanks for the recon on this. I'd like to know myself since I'm 100% for the November board! Points are maxed out for SSG, yes even in the Infantry I know that's insane, so I'll stay an E-5/P for a while.

Question: I'll be coming directly from another combat tour to Afghanistan to OCS (I clear post pre-deployment so direct to OCS) and was wondering do I get to keep my accumulated leave days? If so, will I be able to take my 30 days after OCS?

Just general questions. Opinions and stories are welcome.

That's a good question Ape, I'm not sure. I suppose it depends on if you're discharged from Active Duty first. They may force you to take your leave before you ship to OCS. It would suck to have to cash it out. I'm not entirely sure, but it's a good question to get answered.

 

[SynixMan]

Not sure about the leave question, but the admin folks are used to processing a decent number of other service USMC folks (that saw the light ), so as long as there wasn't a break in service, I *think* you'll keep it.

Either way, make sure you bring these items up to your Class Chief as soon as practically possible. So probably not Day 1, but maybe later on in the first week when they ask if people have questions. The Class Chief handles most of the interfacing with admin functions, and he/she will take care of you if you make your case.

Good luck to both of you.

 

[SpaceApe29]

Thanks for the heads up Synix.

I know I trade my Combat Infantry Badge for a Combat Action Ribbon and my Expert Infantry Badge gets canned, but do I trade my Army Airborne wings for Navy/USMC Jump wings?

 

[twobecrazy]

Thanks for the heads up Synix.

I know I trade my Combat Infantry Badge for a Combat Action Ribbon and my Expert Infantry Badge gets canned, but do I trade my Army Airborne wings for Navy/USMC Jump wings?

I've been looking into this for the most part due to my possible switching of services. From what I have found I don't think you switch to the other branches warfare insignia but keep yours until you obtain a warfare insignia in your new branch. The new warfare insignia supersedes your old insignia and thus becomes the highest ranking insignia that you wear. Keep in mind I would be transferring from the Navy to another branch but I believe that is how it works and that is the info I have found.

 

[eas7888]

Thanks for the heads up Synix.

I know I trade my Combat Infantry Badge for a Combat Action Ribbon and my Expert Infantry Badge gets canned, but do I trade my Army Airborne wings for Navy/USMC Jump wings?

I am kind of disappointed that I'm going to be losing my Combat Action Badge, not quite an EIB, but still, something I'm proud of.

 

[Jim123]

Hang on to those CABs, CIBs, EIBs, and all of your other badges otherwise unauthorized on a Navy uniform. If you play your cards right, you can get away with wearing them with pride at Dining Outs and Dining Ins (aka Mess Nights in non-squidspeak). The penalties will probably amount to a trip to the grog bowl and raucous applause from your peers... neither of which you should find overly objectionable.

Congratulations to all of you on your recommendations and selections!

 

[Flash]

Thanks for the heads up Synix.

I know I trade my Combat Infantry Badge for a Combat Action Ribbon and my Expert Infantry Badge gets canned, but do I trade my Army Airborne wings for Navy/USMC Jump wings?

If that is true that ain't right, the criteria for the CAB and the CAR are quite different for 'combat action' on land. There are plenty of Army people walking around with CAB while Navy folks aren't getting a CAR for the same exact actions/conditions/incidents, the CAR is actually much stricter. If you are infantry I am going to hazard a guess that you qualify for the CAR but there shouldn't be a blanket exchange of the CAB for a CAR.

 

[eas7888]

If that is true that ain't right, the criteria for the CAB and the CAR are quite different for 'combat action' on land. There are plenty of Army people walking around with CAB while Navy folks aren't getting a CAR for the same exact actions/conditions/incidents, the CAR is actually much stricter. If you are infantry I am going to hazard a guess that you qualify for the CAR but there shouldn't be a blanket exchange of the CAB for a CAR.

CAR Criteria:

"

The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire-fight or action during which he/she was under enemy fire and his/her performance while under fire was satisfactory. Service in a combat area does not automatically entitle a service member to the CAR."

CAB Criteria:

"Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or beingengaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement."

The criteria are actually quite similar. I can tell you that I earned both of my CAB awards through multiple engagements and two year long deployments. If Navy personnel are not receiving the CAR for the same action, i.e. being attacked by small arms fire, having an IED hit your vehicle, or a combination of both, and reacting in accordance with your ROE...that just shows a failure in leadership, plain and simple. One possible reason you see so many Army personnel running around with a CAB, is that in today's conflict, the Army is more often in Harm's way.

If I'm off base in my analysis, please feel free to point me to the correct award requirements.

 

[PerDiem]

but do I trade my Army Airborne wings for Navy/USMC Jump wings?

This might help you: http://www.npc.navy.mil/ReferenceLi...nel/1200Classification/1220_1236/1220_030.htm

 

[Flash]

CAR Criteria:

"The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire-fight or action...."

CAB Criteria:

"Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement."

The criteria are actually quite similar. I can tell you that I earned both of my CAB awards through multiple engagements and two year long deployments. If Navy personnel are not receiving the CAR for the same action, i.e. being attacked by small arms fire, having an IED hit your vehicle, or a combination of both, and reacting in accordance with your ROE...that just shows a failure in leadership, plain and simple. One possible reason you see so many Army personnel running around with a CAB, is that in today's conflict, the Army is more often in Harm's way.

If I'm off base in my analysis, please feel free to point me to the correct award requirements.

The awards might be similar but not the same. The CAR is given out for being directly engaged with the enemy, including firefights and being hit by IEDs. The key difference with the CAB is that you only have to be engaged by the enemy. How is that different? The best example is IDF, the Navy don't get the CAR for being near a POI when on land (different story for being on a boat, even on tied to the pier). I know personally of several Army guys that have gotten the CAB for ISF that impacted less than 100, 50 or 25 meters away from them (whatever the command's criteria was at the time). As a matter of fact most of the soldiers I know who have gotten a CAB got it for IDF, and most never stepped off a FOB. That is why they are not equal. Quibbling? Maybe, but they are definitely not equal in any sailor's eyes who has seen a soldier get a CAB when they get nothing for being at the same place, same time as a the soldier with the only difference being they wore a US Navy nametag instead of a US Army one.

One thing to note, the latest version of the 1650 only lists the CIB and the CMB as being able to be converted to the CAR, no mention of the CAB.

 

[Stalin]

As a matter of fact most of the soldiers I know who have gotten a CAB got it for IDF, and most never stepped off a FOB. That is why they are not equal. Quibbling? Maybe, but they are definitely not equal in any sailor's eyes who has seen a soldier get a CAB when they get nothing for being at the same place, same time as a the soldier with the only difference being they wore a US Navy nametag instead of a US Army one.

Sounds like the issue isn't the criteria for the awards but rather CABs being handed out like candy. From what it sounds like, some of the instances you mention shouldn't get neither the CAR nor the CAB. I've heard of Bronze Stars being handed out for lesser circumstances. Wrong, yes, but that happens unfortunately.