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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Everybody I knew had 2 and we worked em side by side. As a 16 P [ SAMman] we trained infantry style, despite slinging sidewinders for a living..we had to pull our own perimiter security [ up to 5 clicks out] frrom the night defense positions, [ndp] not being equipped for night ops.
So yes, it is possible to have 2 sopecalties or more, I trained 54 E , NBC defence, my 3 rd year in Korea, ] which is a big reason why the Army runs "Specalist" instead of Corpral these days...the ONLY pay grade [ E-4] to recognise you actually have 2 schools [ Basic and AIT] under your belt. Take pride in whatever you do..it's probably more than most civvies do even after they get up of a morning.
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..and 2 of the 3 isn't even recognised by this site..that's how far back I go..
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BTW..True I was listed as 11 B 20 in my 201 fikle, ofically I never broke SP4. Big preduce against hard stripe in my day..
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16 P..Chapparal SP SAM system..Sidewinders modded for ground launch. 8 feet x 5 inch x 187 pounds..out of a 5 man crew authorization we ran 3-4 man crews ..crit short MOS. 54 E..Divisional NBC defence, 2 d school at Camp casey..took ove an NBC room with D 2 61 ADA for about 3 months after that, waiting for an NBC Sgt. to show up..
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SGT George Duncan
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yes
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SGT Mike R
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Yes and technically 5 different (Active Air Force AFSC 291x0/491x0 511x0 Commo) Air Force reserve (431x0 crew chief) Active US Army (35E/74G RaTT Commo) Army National Guard (25B commo, 45B/K/G Armament) US Army Reserve. This was all completed upon contract completion for each branch. Never got an enlistment bonus or re- up bonus. I was bored with Air Force and had a lot of fun and enjoyed the army years.
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SPC James Lunn
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Sure. Inter service transfers happen everyday! I had 8 strait active Air Force, 4 Army Guard. 3 mos's in the end.
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PO2 Steven Parker
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Edited 8 y ago
Yes I served 4years active Navy,2 years Navy Reserve ,2 years Air Guard,30 years Army Guard.Retired 38 years Total.
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SGM Joel Cook
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Yes, my brother did two years Army National Guard then transferred to active Air Force in the same Field of Heating and Air Conditioning. He stayed four years and got out SSgt. Then went regular Army in another MOS lost rank to SPC did four years and got out. Transitioned to Army Reserves didn't like any aspect of it and got out with a BAd Conduct Discharge. He did a total of 11 years never getting above the pay grade of E5. A lot of wasted time and nothing to show for it and no retirement. Try to attain the paygrade of E-6 at least so you can get a retirement.
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Cpl Scott Bradway
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Yes. I am one of those who have and one of the few that went from the Army to the Marine Corps instead of the other way around. I know that a large part of that is due to the fact that only the Marine Corps require everyone to go through their bootcamp. Once you do it becomes obvious why. I had to go through "twice" and I would do it again if I had too! Actually, I should have joined the Marine Corps in the first place because that were my home was!

In all reality, it's fairly easy to go through one branch to another once you've completed the full enlistment term you signed up for. I in truth went Army to Army National Guard to USMC. The "guard" or reserves will usually release you once you've completed enlistment with whichever branch you want to go active in.

My advice is that you join the Reserve or National Guard first if you aren't sure of what you want to do. All lot of people end up leaving the military bitter and with a bad attitude because of an emotional decision to join. Worse yet, the get a bad enough attitude while they're in that they get kicked out!

I would love to help you figure out if the military is really what you want and which one you should join. It really makes no difference to me because I don't have any recruitment goals I'm suppose to meet! I don't have to lie because I gain nothing from any choice you make but going into the military and serving your country is great choice for some people!

Scott Bradway
Army/USMC Veteran
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Sgt Doug Kemp
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I spent 13 years in the Marine Corps and got my honorable discharge a year-and-a-half later I join the Army National Guard and the different units I was within the guard there were many prior service members from the Marines, Navy, Airforce, and Coast Guard
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LCpl Jeff Moore
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To shine in the military, you need to master a set MOS. So if your talking abiyt jumping mos and branches already you going to probable not have a good time.

I have had friends that changed branches but often after serving thier 1st 4 year enlistment.

But general you wont be swapping out MOS ever other year or such. I seen a few go from infantry to the air wing after their set enlistment.

Check your contract some MOS require you to do x amount of time in that field.
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SSgt Team Leader
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As of November I have been serving in the USAF after serving in the Army for over 9 years and multiple MOS's. So yes, it is possible. A pain none the less, but if you really want to it's possible based on a few things as well as if you're going Reserve/Guard or Active.
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Sgt Diego Rodriguez
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I knew one guy who was Marines first 10 years then switched to Navy for 12. I knew another who did Marines, Army, Navy Air force and retired in the Marines after 20 years of service. So yeah, its possible, but both said its a pain in the ass switching.
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PFC Mobile Gun System (Mgs) Gunner
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Proud member of both Navy and Army. Served Navy active duty for 4 years and now in the Army Reserve and plan to go active duty.
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SSG Katherine Likely
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I started in the navy 4 1/2 years as a heavy equipment operator. Worked with 17 while assigned with 31stRNCR. while still with the navy i went out a couple of times to drive tanks with the Santa Cruz, California outfit. I liked it and transferred into the army where is served thru Dessert storm as a 88 mike. After coming home in 1991 i stay with the army for a year then with 11 others transferred into the Air Force, most of us weren't happy there and we slowly transferred back into the Army where i stayed till 2005 - when i was put out to pasture - injuries from desert storm.
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CPT Special Forces Officer
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My father served in the Navy in WW II, but in the Army after he received his masters degree. It didn't seem to be a problem for him, but I am not sure that military "job hopping" would necessarily be good from a career standpoint.
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PO3 Sherry Thornburg
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Yes. Knew some people when I was in that seemed to have a goal to be in all services.
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SrA Kelly Richard
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I'm curious to know if you are still in DEP or where you're at in the process! Hope all is well!!
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
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I had a MTI (Military Training instructor) friend when in the AF who has s served in Army, Navy, Marines and AF.
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MAJ Infantry Officer
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Hey cinnamon. Honestly, if you're only dep'd in, as an army person, quality of life may be important to you, it may not be. Join the navy or air force. I'm not being at all sarcastic. The army recruits the worst out of the four branches. People can complain I said it, but oh well.
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PFC Cinnamon Hack
PFC Cinnamon Hack
8 y
I found out the hard way :(
I currently just graduated from AIT and I just got to my first duty station :) that being said, im now even more interested in changing branches , more than ever . Lol
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SSG Katherine Likely
SSG Katherine Likely
8 y
i love the navy - but loved the army more. the air force just plain sucked. I found great people in the army who thought nothing about laying their life on the line - if need be. I'm very proud of the army, my service with them and most of the people that i served with - glad it wasn't with you - .
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SFC Tom Michael
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Yes, but go into the Marines first so you won't have to attend but one boot camp/ basic training. I've known many and I was one.
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CW3 Counterintelligence Technician
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Yes as a civilian. When I was at a Field Office as a military special agent, we also had a civilian agent in the same role. However, he was also in the National Guard in the same job (but different unit, and obviously branch, but still over Army). Another example is another Army National Guard CI Officer I know who is obviously a reservist, but on the civilian side, is an NCIS Agent.
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