Going into another branch after the Marine Corps

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:53:41 -0400

I'm just wondering if anybody joined any other branch after the Marine Corps? If so how was it? just looking for personal experiences

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 16 at 2014 4:35 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 04:35:19 -0400

CMSgt James Nolan went from Marines to Air Force and so did MSgt Private RallyPoint Member SGT Richard H. went Army. There are a lot of former Marines that change over it seems like. What new field are you trying to get into?

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 16 at 2014 7:34 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 07:34:35 -0400

My next door neighbor (x2) crossed over from Marines to AF. My Mom went from Marines to Navy.

For all involved, outside of some massive change in how they were treated, they all loved it.

For my one neighbor the only thing he disliked was giving up his NCO status (E4's are not NCOs in Big Blue).

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2014 11:48 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 11:48:00 -0400

I think enjoying your time in the service is key. If you enjoy the "street creds" more than the actual service itself then it is time to jump ship.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Sep 16 at 2014 12:01 PM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:01:29 -0400

I did the opposite, went from Army to Marine Corps! Really Sucked to have to do Boot Camp again and loss of rank from Sgt E5 to PFC E2

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Sep 16 at 2014 12:03 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:03:48 -0400

I WAS IN 4 OF THE 5 TAKE MY ADVICE DONT DO IT STAY MARINE CORPS GREEN...SEMPER FI

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2014 12:18 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:18:17 -0400

When you choose a service you should utilize the following criteria:

1-treatment of personnel both enlisted and officer
2-availability of duty stations both OCONUS and CONUS
3-awarding of decorations ( Are you more likely to get decorated for the same action in another service versus the one you are in? )
4-advancement to next rank

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 5:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 17:47:23 -0400

I joined the Army after the Corps and I don't regret it, the key is to know what you want to do and what branch provides the best opportunity to achieve it. I served a total of 12 years enlisted in both services and gained a ton of experience prior to my commissioning in 2008. I still enjoy the military as much as I did when I joined in 1995, when I no longer enjoy it I will retire. Best of luck!!

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Nov 10 at 2014 7:41 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 19:41:13 -0500

DONT DO IT STAY MARINE MY BROTHER TRUST ME....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 10:58 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:58:36 -0500

One of my Drill Sergeants in Basic Combat Training had just transferred over from the Marine Corps. Another in my Advanced Individual Training was also a transfer from the Marine Corps.

They both seemed to enjoy it. Not saying that one branch is "better" than the other, just that different branches have advantages for different people, same as different MOSs within the same branch.

Response by Cpl Mark Crowe made Nov 16 at 2014 8:26 PM

Cpl Mark Crowe — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 20:26:08 -0500

Enlisted in the Colirado National Guard following my time in The Corps. Found an environment of slow rolling Army sucks. It did allow me the opportunity to advance quickly

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2017 5:09 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 17:09:05 -0400

I'm a Marine Corps Reservist right now and I'm debating on going Active Army. Except I don't know how everything would transfer over. I'm a Combat Engineer and want to remain an Engineer if I go Army. I'm also a Lance Corporal - does that mean I would become a PFC again in the Army?
What are the benefits to switching?