Have you enlisted in more than one military branch or specialty? What is your opinion of your experiences if you did?

SMSgt Billy Cesarano — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:26:58 -0400

My initial enlistment was Active Duty Army (Infantry). Subsequent branches were Army National Guard (Artillery, Air National Guard (Aircraft Maintenance) and Air Force Reserves (Flight Engineer and Aircraft Maintenance. Total of 5 MOS's and 2 AFSC's. With each I progressed in experiences gaining a broad knowledge of these branches, their structure, weapons platforms, branch integration and culture. For my progression in my personal development considering where I started in life, I wouldn't change a thing. The services provided me an opportunity to move between specialties and branches while remaining a service member. The opportunity to experience places and cultures over a large part of the world and to expand horizons personally and professionally would never have been possible otherwise.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 23 at 2021 9:28 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:28:50 -0400

I did two components of the Army. Different culture but same focus. It served me well as a leader.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 23 at 2021 9:39 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:39:55 -0400

USMC: 99-04
Army: 05-Present
Active Duty munitions each time...
There were pros and cons to each. The Marines taught me far more about my job than the Army (the Army is more civilian reliant), but the Army gave me FAR more diverse leadership opportunities. The Marines taught me the basics in great detail, but the Army taught me how to expand on those basics.

Response by TSgt Matthew Covey made Mar 23 at 2021 12:52 PM

TSgt Matthew Covey — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 12:52:40 -0400

Joined the Army in 1992, MOS 74C10. My MOS was phased out and they wanted me to retrain. I had a friend in the Air Force so decided to look into it. It was the best decision I have ever made. The Air Force gives you tools and then allows you to use them to best fulfill the mission. The Army always has someone telling you how to act, what to do and when. My Air Force AFSC was 1W071. My progression was active Army to Air National Guard to Active Air Force. Not knocking the Army because they gave me my maturity. I was a troubling teen.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 23 at 2021 3:17 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:17:57 -0400

I have done both Active Army, and Army National Guard. When I was active, the thought was the NG was a joke at the time. I learned that while the Guard may never win any prizes for Combat arms, you may find Guardsmen and women who work either as full time technicians, or in a similar field as a civilian, may smoke active units in the amount of work they get done. I was in a Maintenance Company that could flat out run circles around active duty wrench turners. They made their living off flat rate. In other words they got paid a set amount of money for a given job, they either got it right with in the specified time, or they lost money. Example oil change and lube a truck is 2.0 hours, if they do it in 1.30 hours they get the extra 30 minutes of pay, if it took them 3.0 hours it is an hour they were not getting paid for. They took pride in not having come backs. They were skilled and good at their jobs. They were not parts changers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2021 3:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:39:39 -0400

I was A1C-SSgt active duty USAF. TSgt in Air force reserves. SPC- SFC and 2LT-CPT in ARNG. CPT-LTC in USAR. I've held 7 different MOS and AOCs. It is what you make of it.

Response by SSG Paul Carrier made Mar 23 at 2021 6:25 PM

SSG Paul Carrier — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 18:25:27 -0400

Enlisted active Army out of high school.. 11C
Joined the Guard on discharge as a 45B small arms repairer.
Career progression saw me take on 45L artillery and then 45K tank turret repairer. Spent nearly 20 years doing those jobs before being hired as an AGR.
That saw me gaining 63H and later 52D MOS as I moved unit to unit in various AGR positions.
But the last 9 years as an AGR was as a 92Y at the unit, brigade and PBO office

Response by LT Charles Baird made Mar 24 at 2021 5:16 AM

LT Charles Baird — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 05:16:58 -0400

Army Reserve 1985 - 1987 - E1 - E3 (51R Interior Electrician)
Active Air Force 1987 - 1997 - E2 - E4 (602X1/2T2X1 Air Transportation)
Air Force Reserve 1997 - 2009 - E4 - E7 (2T2X1 Air Transportation; 3C0X1 Communications/Computer Operations) Also GS-09
Navy Reserve 2009 - 2017 O1E - O3E (Supply Corps Officer) Retired on Wife's request

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2021 1:49 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:49:47 -0400

My initial enlistment was in the Navy in 1969. That was followed by the Army Reserves, and that was followed by the Coast Guard Reserves. Thirty-three years in total when I retired in 2002.