Posted on Mar 31, 2017
Is it possible to serve in multiple branches of the military ?
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I have this weird fascination of being the "jack of all trades" as a civilian i did things from cosmetology, to truck driving and allot in between. I recently just swore into into DEP (army) and already making plans to see if I can cross train into other MOS fields and eventually after my contract to other branches (USMC? Navy? Air Force)
Anyone here serve in 2 or more branches? Any tips?
Anyone here serve in 2 or more branches? Any tips?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 250
I for one served in the Air Force and in the Army. My only advice, has was in my case when switching services you may lose a rank/ pay grade. I spend more time in the Air Force. (Active and Reserves). Also know when I enlisted in Army I was in the AF Reserves, after my service in the Army I returned back to my AFR unit
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Yes. My dad spent 8 years in the Marines 4 in the Air Force got out for about 10 years then joined the National Guard and retired after 13 years
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Yes it is. I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965 and stayed till 1974. Made SSGT in Aviation Supply. Exited service and worked for a John Deere dealer in Oregon. Joined Air Force reserve in 1975 at McChord AFB. Trained as C141 load Master, made Tsgt (E-6). In late 1977 our unit was cut to nothing. I enlisted in US Army and went to FT Bliss as a Chapparal Missleman. While at Bliss I was redesignated to the Medical career field. Became a Patient Admin Clerk. Honor graduate from Brooke Army Med Center, then to Walter Reed, then Germany. Germany became a Classified Courier. For 3 yeaars drove the length and width of Germany. Next to National Training Center as OPFOR member 11B30. Then to Fort Sill. Became System Manager of hospital information systems. A job which I held for over 12 years as military and civil service. So I went from E-1 to E-6 in 3 services. Then to GS-7 and retired. Finished up as a Dr. of Health Care Administration. At 70 years of age I am still taking classes and online learning. Education is fascinating. Also volunteer with a Wolf Rescue Sanctuary several weeks each year. If you set your mind to it you can do anything.
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Absolutely, and sometimes even before your contract with one is up (inter service transfer, just has to be approved by your command). I was an active Marine for 13 years, got completely out for 3 years, joined the Air Guard and then got a conditional release to the National Guard without losing any rank. Most MOS's will transfer over to other branches if you want. Each branch has their strengths/weaknesses and good/bad points, all depends on what your looking for.
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I enlisted in the US Army August 1964 and was discharged July 1967, as a Radio Relay and Carrier Operator. I enlisted in the US Army Reserves in 1981 as an Instructor and was given my rank of Sgt E-5 when I enlisted, after one year of enlisting I was promoted to E-6. In June 1983 I transferred to the Air Force Reserve as a Chaplain Assistant and kept my paygrade of E-6. I served in the USAFR as a Chaplain Assistant until I retired on May 7, 2003 when I turned 60 years of age. I also served on 2 Navy Ships as a civilian instructor teaching College Algebra, USS Mitcher and USS Bataan. While on the Mitcher I also the Lay Religious Leader and was presented a Letter of Appreciation by the Captain in the Bay at Mykonos, Greece. While on the Bataan I roomed in the Marine section and roommates were the 2 Hoover Craft pilots.
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It is possible but you will generally lose rank or gain rank slower. My brother first went Army National Guard and went as far as SGT. He transitioned to Air Force and had to take a cut to E-3. He got as far as SSgt/E-5 again. He then transitioned back to SPC/E4 in the regular Army again making SGT/E5. He then had enough of the military after about 14 years and transitioned to US Air Force reserve. Went to about three drills, hated everything that was going on and went AWOL. He then went through UCMJ and received a discharge. He wasted a good chunk of his life and ruined his military reputation in the end. If he would have stayed Regular Army or Air fForce he probably would have attained E7 rank and had a decent retirement. Now he has none, but he is a vet.
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What are the two services tha you are interested in changing your lifestyle for? I am a dual service member USMC/Army.
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I would concur with some of the others, while it may be possible moving to many times will limit your advancement potential and with the more rank you gain the more control you have. I would say in order to satisfy your desire to expand your horizons, get into an interesting area like intelligence or something like that there are a lot of disciplines and assignments within that area that will give you exposure to other disciplines while you hone your own. That way you grow and learn at the same time and it is interesting. Of course you won't be able to talk about it but you will enjoy.
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yep, did it. Joined the USARMY as a medic. After basic at fort sill I was supposed to be at Ft leninwood... but the Army needed FDC more than medics so I was reassigned. After 5 yrs of that I transitioned to Tach-medical-evac in the USAF. Spent most of my time in the field. Transitioned to USSOCOM and it was like being back in the Army. Pulled a tdy on the USNS Mercy in California. So think of it...Army trained, USAF e-8 serving on a ship.
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My take is that joining our Armed Forces simply to satisfy an urge to be a "jack of all trades" is a pretty selfish motive. It indicates no knowledge of, or concern for, the brotherhood/sisterhood of the American Patriot who serves his/her Country because of a feeling of gratitude and respect for Her. There is no respect or commitment to compatriots, no dedication to anything but personal satisfaction and telling people "look what I did"... This is a far cry from people, and I have known some, who entered one branch of military service and at some point after being discharged entered another branch for reasons that were for the good of the Country, and not a personal whim. I expect that some people will not agree with my opinion, and that is just fine... understand that my reply is based on the original reasoning posted for enlisting, and my personal views regarding respect and honor, to which I am entitled.
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I've served in the air force, army and currently air guard. The switches were easy. Going from active duty to guard was a diffucult transition because us prior service do most of the work, know our jobs and get promoted after the people who don't know their jobs. I'm switching to the reserves next. Each branch has its good and bad.
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RM1 as a retired USCG I also served in USN and USAF that's 3 upon discharge from USN I joined
USAF lost time in grade but kept grade but was REQUIRED to take and pass all training up to E-5
or be rifted to E-4 it wasn't easy and just made it. upon discharge from USAF enlisted in USCG but
the only reason I was able to do that was because of my prior job in USN. I also had to get a waiver
from Washington and also lost time in grade. So check everything out before you jump!
USAF lost time in grade but kept grade but was REQUIRED to take and pass all training up to E-5
or be rifted to E-4 it wasn't easy and just made it. upon discharge from USAF enlisted in USCG but
the only reason I was able to do that was because of my prior job in USN. I also had to get a waiver
from Washington and also lost time in grade. So check everything out before you jump!
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It is possible, but I personally wouldn't recommend it. I served 4 years and some change in the army then got out for 3 years. I then re entered the military, this time Air Force and have been in for 14 years with the AF. The benefits are all the same in every branch, but the mission and life is drastically different. I would focus on what type of lifestyle or job you really want and stick with it. It can hurt your promotion timeframes switching services. I also wouldn't go from the cushier branch (airforce) to the army or marines, just because the mission is completely different. I may be impartial being an ex recruiter, but the quality of life in the AF has been in my opinion, a lot better than other branches. Best of luck.
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There is a second line to that adage jack-of-all-trades, it is master of none! Before you go and think about all the things you want to do, pass basic training in the army and mastering your own skill then and only then will you be able to go to a different branch or A different MOS.
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I don't what the rules are currently, but my first 4 years were Air Force 30351 ATC radar repair tech. 8 months after honorable discharge, I joined the Army 11B7V. Airborne Infantry. Retired after 16 years, for a total of 20 years.
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I have in my twenty-six years in the Marine Corps met exactly one person who served in all four branches, the Marine Corps being his fourth. I cannot recall how many totals combined years of service he had accumulated; I'll guess eighteen for argument sake. So, here's the problem, let's say you served five years in each branch a total of twenty years and obtained the paygrade of E-5; yay, you accomplished your goal, but are retire as a Marine Corps Sergeant, I am assuming because is the last branch you served in and retired. Congratulations now you draw E-5 pay over twenty years ($1,700 per Month) instead of possible E-9 pay over twenty ($3,000 per Month). Good luck! And I am not even sure it would be possible today, and even if it were, I would not recommend it. The only upside you can call yourself "Marine" Sorry, I could not restrain myself, LOL!
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When I was on Recruiting tour the Army still had the Split Option Program where 17 year old High School Juniors could go to basic before their senior year. It sold like hotcakes, even my own son went to basic and was in a Reserve unit. I got six in one month. Unfortunately the powers that be, decided that these soldiers could enlist in any of the other services as an initial enlistments but the Army had to treat them as Prior Service. We were out of the market, as far as Recruiting Command was concerned I had betrayed them
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