Is it possible to have served in all branches of the military during the Vietnam Era?

SPC Diana D. — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:34:27 -0400

Ran into an interesting veteran today at DAV and I was listening to the stories he was telling the other guys there and he said that he had served in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Was it possible to do that back in the 60's? That is when he said he served.

Response by SSG Eduardo Ybarra Jr. MS Psyc made Oct 24 at 2017 8:21 PM

SSG Eduardo Ybarra Jr. MS Psyc — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:21:11 -0400

I'm not sure that it would be possible considering the terms of the draft at that time. When someone was drafted during the Vietnam era there was a two year obligation attached. Now considering the Vietnam conflict was from Aug 1964 to May 1975 (officially) that gives a person less than nine years to have served in every branch. Not saying that it could not be completed but it does sound like it would be difficult to pull off. Now if the person joined without the draft the term of service varied. If they did choose a combat role such as Infantry and spent a year in the jungle they could theoretically extend for an additional six months. Which would mean that upon the completion of the six months they could be discharged thereby allowing them to depart that service (giving them just 21 to 22 months of service) and join into another one. But then again this would be somewhat of a difficult thing if there were any underlying injuries upon discharge. I would just take with a grain of salt.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Oct 24 at 2017 10:09 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 22:09:10 -0400

We were in Vietnam officially from 61 to 75...possibly. However, as Mr. Reagan said, Trust but verify.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2017 11:20 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 23:20:45 -0400

SPC Diana D. I can see supporting all the branches, but actually serving in all the branches is hard to believe, although, anything is possible.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 24 at 2017 11:36 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 23:36:46 -0400

It is technically possible. My dad went through USAF basic in 1968. His TIs were prior service Marines. One of the guys in his flight said he had 'been in the Army' asked the drill if he could wear his decorations from the Army. They formed up for church on Sunday in Class As with a Silver Star and CIB recipient who had more decorations than some of the drills. Many USAF communications airmen were involuntarily transferred from the Navy in the late 1950s, forget why. My JROTC NCO was one of them. I think your path would likely have to start with the Marines, as they do not recognize anyone else's initial entry training.

In the recent era, I have a classmate from college that served AD Navy, went to college, joined the Army National Guard, transferred to the Air National Guard and retired from the ANG.

I met an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel in 1988 that had been in all branches but the Navy, he was a Marine in Korea, an Army Infantryman (with a Glider Badge!), and earns a commission in the Air Force.

My battle buddy in the advanced course was a Marine in 1982, an Army Cobra Mechanic in 1984/5, and commissioned in 1994 serving as a Tanker and a Transportation Officer. knew an Army Warrant that went High School to Flight School, then branch transferred to the USCG as a commissioned pilot.

While it may be possible, the side effect would be, unless there is a commission or warrant appointment in there somewhere, this person would be a career E5. Perhaps they were drafted into their first branch (Marines/Army) then selected the other three. Perhaps a pit stop through the National Guard in between.

Response by SPC Anthony Schepis made Oct 25 at 2017 3:52 AM

SPC Anthony Schepis — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 03:52:02 -0400

When you say Vietnam era do you mean only during the Vietnam war or just back in that era. I knew I guy who served in the Air Force, Army, and Marines.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 7:40 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 07:40:28 -0400

Well you have guys like Colonel Day who served in the Marine Corps in World War II, Army post War, then in the Air National Guard prior to Korea, placed on Active Duty for the Air Force where he served on then Active side until after Vietnam.

EDIT
Marine Corps 1942 - 1945
Army 1946 - 1949
Iowa Air National Guard 1950 - 1951
Air Force 1951 - 1977

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 8:44 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 08:44:50 -0400

I do not know about Vietnam era for sure but I don't see why it would not have been possible, unless you mean only during the war and not including the years immediately surrounding it. I know people that have served in three branches when I was in (93-13) and had heard of ones that did all four (I think I read of someone who did five if you include the Coast Guard). Never understood why you would switch that much as it costs you promotions but to each their own.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 25 at 2017 9:26 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 09:26:54 -0400

I had posted a question on here some time ago asking folks to list all the branches (including Reserves and Guard) they were in. I think only one person claimed having served in each of the Big 4. True or not, I don't know. So I'd say its possible, but it's a very rare bird indeed!

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Oct 25 at 2017 9:48 AM

SFC Andrew Miller — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 09:48:11 -0400

I personally know two gentlemen who have served in all 4 of those. Both of the ones I know have at least one reserve/guard component, however. It is definitely possible.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 10:10 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 10:10:22 -0400

Possible? yes. Likely? doubtful. 2 year enlistments were available so look at the length of the campaign and do the math. He would have had to almost jumped from one branch to the other. It would have been tight, but possible.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 10:34 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 10:34:30 -0400

Depending on the total length of his service it's absolutley possible. SGT Jinger Jarrett shared a link to a article about a man who served in all five branches. I've seen other articles about other people who have done the same. I myself have served in 3 seperate branches (Army enlisted, Air Force Reserve officer and Navy officer) and have also been assigned to a unit in a 4th (Marine Corps). So while I have not served in 4 branches I have been assigned to units in all of the big 4. Just trying to get my Coast Guard assignment now.

Response by PO2 Karl Lehn made May 24 at 2018 6:37 PM

PO2 Karl Lehn — Thu, 24 May 2018 18:37:06 -0400

In a roundabout way. You have to become a Navy chaplin. Once you do that you can and possibly can serve with thenMarine Corps or the Coast Guard. Cool part is that you csn wear the uniforms for those branches. Otherwise no.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 24 at 2018 8:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 24 May 2018 20:03:56 -0400

I had an old friend- WWII, Korea, SVN served in construction units in all the branches.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2019 5:34 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 17:34:44 -0400

I recently had a question asked of me at work. Had I ever served with someone that had been drafted? I told my co-worker that I had served with a draftee. In fact, he served in every branch of the Military except the Coast Guard. My co-worker asked if I worked with him at Dover AFB, DE, which is where I worked with him. Small world. He started out as a heavy equipment operator in the Marines, went to the Navy, moved on to the Army, then joined the Air Force Reserves. He was a mechanic on C-5A/B aircraft at Dover where I worked with him. He had some wonderful and sometimes scary stories. So yes, it is possible.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 9 at 2019 11:55 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 23:55:46 -0500

So apparently possible to serve in 4 of the 5. https://www.foxnews.com/us/veteran-four-military-branches

Veteran who served in four military branches reflects on his career: 'I'm a lucky guy'

Yonel Dorelis, 58, has served in the Marine Corps, Navy, Army and Air Force.

Response by CW4 Robert Mixon made Aug 12 at 2020 8:32 PM

CW4 Robert Mixon — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 20:32:17 -0400

Yes

Response by SFC Kevin Childers made Aug 21 at 2023 5:34 PM

SFC Kevin Childers — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 17:34:14 -0400

Vietnam Era per VA covers 1955-1975.