Army recruiting departing Airmen Published July 9, 2004 By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- After they "Cross Into the Blue" Army officials said they hope Airmen leaving the Air Force will join the "Army of One."A new program, Operation Blue to Green, seeks to recruit into the Army Airmen and Sailors leaving their service because of force reductions. The Army is temporarily increasing its ranks.Plans call for the Air Force to reduce its numbers by 16,000 by the end of 2005, Air Force officials said.An Army spokesperson called Operation Blue to Green an opportunity that "will definitely benefit the Department of Defense as well as these individuals."Details of the program are still being worked out, but an Army Web site says the program tells potential recruits it "will allow you to continue to serve your country, to maintain the benefits of military service and to expand your horizons by gaining new training and trying new things."Candidates for the program are Airmen and Sailors in grades E-5 and below who qualify for an honorable discharge from active duty. Participation in the program, the Web site says, "is dependent upon your service's willingness to release you from your current active-duty obligation."New Soldiers recruited under the program will go through a four-week "warrior transition course" being developed by Army Training and Doctrine Command officials. "This will further orient them in terms of what it means to be a Soldier in the Army," the Army spokesperson said.This new course in basic combat skills will substitute for the nine-week course currently used to train Airmen, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen enlisting in the Army, according to the Web site.Bonuses will be offered to recruits for selected military occupational specialties, although details were not yet available.While Army officials finalize details about the program, they are wasting no time getting the word out to potential candidates. An online information form encourages interested candidates to sign up for more information. However, the site notes, "Until formal policies have been approved, Army recruiters cannot accept applications, process paperwork or reserve training seats."