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

You are not in yet! There is always a chance you might appreciate your first MOS! STEADY! Do not jump too quickly. Time and a little experience solve many doubts. You might look for "Jessica Lynch's” book. She tells how MT was in Iraq. And, how she was a POW!

PFC Cinnamon Hack It is possible to serve in multiple branches and some RallyPoint members have served in multiple branches. Master your current MOS before you request to cross train into other MOS's. If you like the Army, I would stay there rather than moving to another branch. I would encourage you to use your educational benefits.

I have dealt with Folks who were marines or Air Force and Came to the Army ...
some times there is a lag in training or Qualifications ...
Start with One and do your Best for Now... and Down the road when you are getting ready... then Look at Moving to another branch...or Changing MOS's...

I started out as a USMA Cadet, went Navy ENL, then Seabee OFF and then off to Antarctica. I never intended to morph like I did, but it just turned out that way. Absolutely make sure your orientation is correct. It's not the World's job to go out of its way to satisfy your wanderlust. Do something and do it very well. IF you come across an opportunity to redefine yourself to both yours AND the MIL benefit, that's what you should be looking for. My experience has been if you focus on being stellar, stuff happens you'd never dream of and take you places you'd never give a thought to. Enjoy the journey.

Much easier in the reserves to go from one branch to another. I went from active duty Marines to Air National Guard to Navy Reserve back to guard in my 25 yrs. It's a little more difficult for active duty but not impossible. It will depend on the needs of that branch of service. The Marines and Coast Guard will require you to attend basic training regardless of you being prior service from another branch.

PFC Cinnamon Hack For myself--served in in Vietnam as a Marine,but retired from the Army years later.

Happens a lot. Crew chiefs, engine mechanics, security and more ...we get them from Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Army. We have people move from the air side as well. SFC George Smith and CSM Charles Hayden have sound advice.

I hope so! I did 7 yrs in USMC, and 14 in the Army, all active duty. I had lots of fun!

Paratrooper in the Army & then moved to the Marines... you get used up real quick...

8 years navy 1974 to 1982, army from 1982 to 2001, retired 1sg /E8 22 yrs plus of active duty

Years ago, when I went through boot camp at MCRD San Diego, we had a guy in our platoon who had already done four years in the Air Force and four years in the Navy. I always wondered if he went on to serve in the Army also.

At the same time? Never heard of it. One at a time? Have at it. Be prepared to lose rank every time you switch and go to another Basic or Boot Camp, depending on your choice. Plenty have served in more than one and if you have time on your hand's research it and find out more. Why not dedicate yourself to doing the best you can in the Army? If that doesn't work then go from there. Your plate is going to be plenty full once you ship to Basic so that's what you should focus on for now.

Geez, only one person barely answered her question.... Problem paying attention to detail is an issue to some.... ANSWER... YES! You can go from branch to branch and you can also in the Army, train in multiple MOS's.. Plus, check this out. After you become a non commissioned officer, you can apply to become a warrant officer and get it if you meet the qualifications and I know you can. To me and most other veterans I know, a warrant officer is the best rank in the military and to become a warrant officer, you will be trained in several MOS's before graduating as a warrant officer. A warrant officer is a technical advisor.. I have friends to this day that are now retired and was marine then army then air force. And another that was Army then went air force and retired, and another dear friend buried in Arlington that was marine then army...I hope I answered your questions and I hope that anybody else that comments, answers your questions as well.... You are a go getter and you seem very motivated. I would love to have a troop like you and I would do everything I can to help you advance and achieve your goals plus I would convince you that what you are looking for is becoming a warrant officer... The Army need troops like you. Troops line you set an example to others and motivate others to be all they can be.... Drive on and good luck to your future endeavors....

The mastering of the MOS is crucial, sound advice from the prior comments. You will need to become the SME of you MOS and people will listen to you and follow your advice because you know your stuff. I transitioned from the USMC to the Army over 20 years ago and became an SME of my field, you gain the respect from all no matter the level. However just jumping because you want to learn more is different than what you can teach to increase the ability of others, you need to focus on you being absolutely proficient.

As a jack of all trades myself, I'd stick with one branch, and if you want change MOSs or AFSCs within that branch. Every branch has every job that the others have, but how they go about it might vary slightly. You can switch jobs and still follow a path for promotions, but switching branches could make it more difficult or cause delays. Sometimes there are very valid reasons for switching, but just because you want to try a little of everything, isn't. I'm not trying to crush your dreams, it's just I understand what it is that you want, and after being in myself, and having an Air Force job who's nick name is "jack of all trades" I'd say you can go Air Force now while you still have the chance of stay your path, but once you're in, stick with it, like others have said.

Considering the Army has so many career fields, switching services might not be the best answer. If you talk to any of your senior NCOs at your first unit, you might find several are on their second or even third MOS. The reasons I heard were because in some MOSs it is very hard to gain the rank you need to stay in. I've been out for over 20 years but it used to be if you were E-4 you were forced out after 10 years, E-5 was 15 then forced out, E-6 though, you were forced to retire at 20. There were a few who like you either disliked the duties or got bored with their MOS and wanted something different. Every MOS is different, and every assignment is different. The thing about the Army is generally if you don't like your situation you can change it!

I served as a Marine 0351/8151/0321 from 1984-1988. I had a 13 month break 88-89 and joined the Army National Guard, then transferred to the Army Reserve and became a drill Sergeant in 90'. I served till August 1995. On January 27 2007, I reenlisted in the Army National Guard and did a tour in Iraq 07-08 and Afghanistan 10-11.
If you go Marine 1st, you will not have to repeat basic training. If you enlist in the Army and want to go Marine you will have to complete USMC Boot Camp.

I have served with people with more than one branch affiliation. Whether it be Army/ Navy, Marine/Army. I myself was Navy/ Coast Guard.

Yes. I spent 3 years in the army and 17 in the Air Force.

YES. Yes you can serve in multiple branches. I served in both Army and Air Force, My Brother-in-Law served in Marines and Air Force. I had a good friend who served in Marines and Army. Both my brother in law served in the Marines during Vietnam and their remainder service was their "Retirement" Branch. I on the other hand, Served Army during Vietnam War and a 3 year stint with the Air force only to return to the Army for my final departure in 93. One thing prevalent that I did not like was the loss of one Rank on each change of service. While you acquire more skills, your advancement is retarded during the process.