Is it possible to serve in multiple branches of the military ?

In my USAF pilot training class we had 3 former Army helicopter pilots. Later when I moved from active duty to a reserve unit we hired a lot of former Navy and Marine pilots. One guy was Navy active duty, Naval reserve, California Air Guard, then USAF reserves.

SGT Jinger Jarrett - That's possible, however my knowledge came from 3years assigned to the LA MEPS from '86 to '89. Direct Branch Service transfers might only happen in the Osciffers Corps, all others please ETS prior to REUP.

Served USCG first, then "cross-decked" to the Navy. I was a Boatswain's Mate, so it was a lateral move. otherwise you usually get knock notch in grade. Or so it was when I was active 40 years ago.

SSG Dave Johnston Love your spelling for officers!

I served in both the Army and the Navy reserves, I had an Uncle who served in both the Army and Air Force. Basics of service are the same, just small learning curve. I wanted to Go Air force, but got mixed up with some TCE contamination in Army and ran out of Health, not really any advantage to doing this except for a change. And Air Force has much better dining facilities than Army.

Keep this in mind. When you cross into another branch sometimes it slows down progress towards advancement in rank. Also learning customs and courtesies may put you behind the power curve but switching branches should be considered only after weighing out the PROS and CONS. I did it out of wanting to deploy often. I was looking at the bonuses and career advancement options that would help me when I left the military.

I can second that multiple MOS comment.
By the time I had 20 years in I had had 4 different MOS, admittedly 3 of they were career progression related, 45B-45L-45K but by the time I retired I had picked up three more MOS.

I served 4 years in the Navy during the Vietnam Era 1973-77 and made it the PO 3rd class. I later served one year in the Army National 1985-86 and was a Buck Sergeant. I then Joined the Air Force Reserves 1986-91 and made it to Staff Sergent and accomplished the feat of serving in the military during two wars. Vietnam War and Gulf War Operation Desert Storm.

CPO Bill Penrod - You are vastly overstating your case. Being a prior service Marine isn't a walk in the park, but it's definitely doable. I not only did it, I did it at the age of 35 1/2.

I've already talked to them about prior service. It all depends whether they are accepting it or not at the time, so I can't really get my answer now because who knows if they will be in a couple years. The Marines at the recruiting office I specifically go to told me that they always take prior service from other branches in, and it was easier coming in from another branch than coming back in as a previously enlisted Marine.

There is definately a lag in training when I switched over. The Army did not send me to AIT because I was a Supply Sgt in the Marines as well. It was horrible the Army is completely different from the Marine Corps and I definitely could have benefited from that training.

I specifically remember many people who were in the air force before the army. For some reason I met several ex air force that were in their first year into the army. I knew a girl that did 4 years in navy, spent a year discharged and enlisted into army because a certain medical job she wanted wasn't available in navy for re-enlistment but was available in army. I was in basic training reception with a guy who just finished several years in air force and went straight from air force discharge directly into army. No idea why but I guess if it's an option and your time is up, why not try another branch? They're all significantly different experiences, rank system, rules of conduct, PT, obviously army and marines offer infantryman jobs that many desire for excitement and experience. Often I hear of married couples both in different branches will get into the same branch together so they can be together on the same base.. Obviously an army airborne husband at ft Bragg NC would have a tough time being with his wife working at Whidbey Island near Seattle as a financial clerk so she finished her enlistment and enlists in the army, chooses an mos most likely to be placed at ft Bragg or just find out jobs in need at Fort Bragg, take that MOS and join Army then request duty station be ft Bragg.. They grant requests like that all the time for married couples

Wait ... people go to Antarctica?? How was that ? Lol I had no idea people could even go there .

If you want some fantastic duty Try the arctic. It is like a totally different universe. I served in Alaska for 3 years. . The others are giving sound advice. The Army has every job you can think of and more. Master your MOS. Every duty station will be a different experience. Even within your MOS as you are promoted the jobs tend to become a bit different.

Yep. Enjoyed Alaska tour (Adak) which would be very different from Fort Wainwright and other opportunities. Never cared much for Los Anchorage though.

I did the four services as stated above and only went to one Boot camp. The Army at Fort Polk. The Navy sent me to Great Lakes for two weeks to get uniforms and complete paperwork. I spent most of the two weeks sitting in a coffee shop or the VFW. Received no other training. AIT was in the Army and I went to “A” school for Investigator so I could get the NEC 2002. My last three years in the Navy, I was an instructor and went to two schools for that. The Navy and Air Force instructor schools. Got another NEC for it.

CAPT Hiram Patterson -
Marine boot camp is good for all except the Coast Guard.

Weird, when I joined the Marines afterthought British Army they offered me the shortened version that bandsmbbenn go to. I refused and did e whole thing as I was fairly confident that although my previous experience was grea I was still moving into something different. Also I understood the importance earning it.

MSgt (Join to see) You served in more than two branches of the military!?... When?... How?... I'm genuinely curious about this because I'm prior Army; I found a job in the active duty Navy that'll take me; and there's an Air Guard squadron near my home town I'd like to join when I I leave active duty, so I can claim more education benefits.

SPC July Macias - I left active duty Marines and transferred to inactive reserve Marines got a conditional release and enlisted Air National Guard. In the mid 90’s my Guard unit was deactivated. I received a conditional release from the Guard and enlisted Navy Reserve as a Equipment Operator 2nd Class (SeaBees). After 7 months a new Guard unit was created and I got a conditional release from the Navy and enlisted back into the Guard. I transferred back because the SeaBee unit was all class room instruction with no hands on equipment experience. And the new Guard unit opened other opportunities. All my releases were handled by the respective recruiters. In my case they all were pretty easy. I retired in 2004 after a combined 25 yrs service. There is only one person looking out for your military career and that is you.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me here and I’ll try to answer questions as best I can. Good luck & Best wishes!

Thank you for your service :)
Was it difficult transitioning from one branch to another ? Did any of your army brothers and sisters ever give you a nickname or a hard time for being a prior service marine ?

PFC Cinnamon Hack - lol--some,it took a lot of adjustment --i was out for 14 years before reenlisting,so those of my rank were a lot younger. Nicknames like "old dude" and "old Marine"were used often,but any "hard time" was always just in fun and never bothered me.

PFC Cinnamon Hack - Also,it is kind of difficult to give a Marine a "hard time' Drill Instructors took care of that in the 3 months of basic.lol

SSgt Terry P. - my drill sergeant in the service tried to give me a hard time until a reservist drill instructor came though and recognised me he had been a teacher of mine in military school and knew the difference between upward bound and outward bound (which i had done in college) he informed my drill sergeant that the 25 mile road march wouldnt even get me warmed up that I owed a high volume expedition back pack that would swallow an alice pack and was well versed in climbing and rappelling along with winter survival

I had served in several MOS's over a 18 year period all Army and school trained in each one

Capt Jeff S. - I have wondered that too, every time I saw Jim's posts. I'm glad he explained it! SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint

SFC William Farrell - I also did my second retirement from Civil Service, and worked at Army Korea, DHS, DoEnergy and last Army as a GG-15 G-2, Director of Intell for a 2 star command. Currently, I am a Proud F*& Civilian.....maybe the F was for Fun.

I used to be a military PFC and now a civilian PFC. An exclusive group!

Rah ... 1stCivDiv ...!

What do you mean used up?

Worn out, beat up, burnt & wasted

8 yrs Navy 1975 to 1983 (Machinest Mate) 10 yr Navy Dependent 1980 to 1990 (Was married to a Data Processing Tech) 12 1/2 yr Army National Guard (General and Heavy Equipment Operator)