Posted on Mar 31, 2017
PFC Cinnamon Hack
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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?
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GySgt James Marchinke
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I started out in the Corps and Aviation was getting over strength and was told to become a grunt 0311 or get out; I crossed over into the Army Aviation and continued for another 17 years
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SPC Franklin McKown
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Start with the USAF they are the most picky,The Army is gruelling and hard, I suspect the Marines are close,HOWEVER the NAVY has an EXCELLENT education system A LOT easier basic than those two as well. ...however the AIR FORCE won't take anyone else in their ranks as I recall.
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SSG Dr. John Bell, PhD.
SSG Dr. John Bell, PhD.
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I served 8 1/2 years in Marine Corps SSgt E-6); then 2 years in USAF, Tsgt (E-6); then 14 years Army; SSG. E-6. Retired 12 years civil service US Army. Only boot camp was Marine corps in 1965. USAF I signed up one day and was on duty 2 days later.
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Cpl Phillip Brame
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I did it 15 yrs in the Marine Corps and 15 yrs in the Army.
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Cpl Mike Harris
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What everyone has said is all good but some branches will not take you if you were a marine
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MSgt Brian Potvin
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ummmm....yes. You can serve in any branch for which you qualify. I know several folks who have jumped between the Air Force, Marines, and Navy.
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SSgt J.D. Bowser
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I served in the USMC 93-03 NAVY 04-08 ARMY 08-14. Retired as SSG.
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SFC Tony Bennett
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I don't see much advantage to serving in multiple branches. As you progress in experience and rank there's not much to gain and much to actually lose by jumping branches. Find what you love and make it your own. However IF you do decide to jump branches, do it as early as possible to minimize the impact on your career progression.
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Maj Cardiology, Nurse Manager
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I am currently serving in my 3rd branch, Navy, Army, now AF... commissioned in the Army in 1990! I have a friend that stayed Army that is soon to pin on General, I am soon to pin on LtCol. You lose some by switching branches but you also gain a lot of appreciation for service in the military as a whole. Balance your life with the mission of each service but consider serving as a privilege regardless of the branch you serve... cultures are different in each branch. I am often asked which branch I like the best, honestly each one was excellent for that time period of my life. But, consistancy might have served me better...
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MAJ Glenn Lasater
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Two ways to "serve" in other branches;

1-after completing an enlistment in one branch, enlist in a different branch. I served in the Air Force and then the Army and know many vets who've served in more than one branch.

2-Take an assignment to a joint command. Joint commands are staffed by personnel from two or more branches and work together for a common mission.

I'm not aware of any method of cross training between branches because each branch has it's own particular organization and mission.
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SFC Don Frazier
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Yes it is one at a time. I started out in the Navy Seabees in Gulfport Mississippi and ended my career in the Army NationalGuard deployed to Iraq from Hattiesburg Mississippi.
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Cpl Jeff Ruffing
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USANG 1979 - 1980
USMC 1980 - 1986
USA 1986 - 1992
USN 1992 - 2000

I kept changing because I wanted a different job, different experience. I got it. Just bear in mind the differences in the branches and how each branch does business. No different from changing job in the civilian community.
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CPT Michael Casey
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I was in the National Guard and the joined the Coast Guard for four years. After that I reenlisted into the National Guard. While in the Coast Guard I met many individuals who had been in other services. One who had been in the Army, Navy and then joined the Coast Guard.
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SPC Robert Marquardt
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I originally wanted to go Navy but did not have a high school diploma at the time, but the Army said they would take me, so I joined the Army as a 67y10 (attack helicopter repairman, Cobra helicopters.). After I got out I had trouble finding a job in aviation. So I decided go back in and gave the Navy a try. I was lucky, my ASVAB scores were real good (Army-95.95 , Navy-98, (raw scores)). When I went into the Navy I had to drop 1 paygrade. The training for the Navy was easier than I expected. I enjoyed both branches. But would recommend which ever MOS you chose that you see what the requirements are for an equivalent civilian job is and get that training while still in. Give it your all and you should do OK.
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COL John Hudson
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Your desire is noted, if not your inexperience. However...each of the several Services offers many of the same opportunities, albeit wearing a different color. Why attempt to sample them all via alternative means when one can experience essentially the same in the Army? Consider: I entered the Army as an E-1 of Infantry, eventually wearing E-7 rank. Next, Flight School made me a pilot and an officer; WO-1 to CW2 in combat, then accepting a Commission to 1LT of Infantry (again?) but this time in a much higher leadership role with even more opportunity. Promoted to Captain one year later with more responsibility. In time, I transferred to Quartermaster (Major), later attending the Inspector General course. As an IG I saw Lieutenant Colonel, then became an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO) (Colonel) but not done yet. I went to Iraq as a Combat Generalist, Commander of Combined Joint Task Force Shield and retired as a Colonel, 30 years. So, numerous aspects of ground combat, Aviation, Quartermaster, Inspector General, and Combat Generalist (2x Vietnam, 1x Balkan Conflict, and almost 4 years in Iraq). I was allowed to sample and grow in quite a number of fields within a unique military environment that I would never have seen had I simply jumped from one service to another. Something to think about.
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LT Louis McKellar
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I enlisted in the USAF in 1973. In September 1981 I transferred to the USAFR. In July 1982, I transferred to USN OCS. I retired in 1994.
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Sgt Intelligence Specialist
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While I was in the Marines in administration, there was a staff sergeant who had served one enlistment in each branches of service. I don't know if I would recommend it. Clearly up to you though.
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SGM Douglas Lack
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I have served in 2, Air Force and the Army, and had a friend that was in 3. I retired with 25 years active time. My advice is the same as some of those above. Put your heart and soul into one MOS at a time. If you like it stay with it. I was not totally happy with the job I had in the Air Force so I got out went to college for awhile then decided to try the service again but wanted a different job. They told me had to do what I did before because it was a critical career field. I said no I don't and went and talked to the Army recruiter who offered me a different path. I spent the next 20 years and ended up qualified in several MOS's, some because of cross training some changed because of the rank I held but all of them were interesting and challenging.
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SSG Dr. John Bell, PhD.
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Yes; I have previously responded. But I served 8 1/2 yrs in USMC. Than 2 Yrs in USAFR, Than little over 12 Yrs in USA. Than Federal civil service. Biggest thing now days is you have to watch what rank/paygrade you are as you move up. You will come to an up or out time. I was lucky I did my changes between 1965 and 1988. Enjoyed military life and training.
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SSgt Dustin Broome
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I agree wth most responses. Stay focused and do the best you can with your first enlistment. To keep it short and to the point, if you plan on going into multiple branches, join the Marine Corps first. You'll only have to attend one boot camp...
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PO2 Robert Hunter
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Yes.
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