Multi Service Veterans. What is the best, would you change, and are there the better of "things" between different services?

I nearly got out of the Army as a junior CPT, as I was very disillusioned at the time because of a couple of toxic leaders that I had worked for. I looked at two other branches of the military and the USMC told me that I would start back at square one as a brand new 2LT, and the USCG told me that I would become a LTJG (O-2). I nearly took the USCG up on the offer, but decided against if after a deployment to Iraq.
I do understand the benefit of re-conditioning the mind to the individual branches ways, but to put someone that is an E-5 or O-3 down to an E-2 or O-1 is absurd in my opinion. Loss of 1 grade is bad enough.

SSGT Tim Ricci, Obviously you agreed to it or you would not be making this post as a Marine SSGT. You may likely get a lot of grief from other Marines about this as well, so be prepared. First of all the reason we don't do the abbrev indoc is because that would not put you on the same footing as all other Marines who have EARNED the title Marine. You should well know by now that we are a special breed of warrior. I am not knocking any other branch or special warrior units that are out there. They are all fine, comprised of some very good men and have done some very intense training. But they have not fulfilled all of the requirements that we have to be Marines and tho their training was tough, it is not the same. Ok 'nuff on that point.

On the other point of losing the rank, I can sympathize with you there as well my brother in arms. I got out of the Marines in 1973 as a Sergeant with 1 and a half years time in grade. I really enjoyed what I did (6531) and came in with a career in mind. But I was having marriage probs, and did not want to be in when I got a divorce, so I got out and was out for about two years.

Got the divorce and re-enlisted about two weeks later. Best they could do was re-enlist me as a private (E1), but was given an administrative promotion to E2 ONLY because the pay chart did not have a listing for E1 over 4 service.

I was fortunate that I landed in a shop with a very understanding and fair MSGT. He helped me to get my rank back quickly. He did not GIVE it to me by no means. He guided me in ways to accomplish my goals and get promoted. Great man!

Semper Fi SSGT Tim, hope your career is as enjoyable as mine was! OETSU!

The Corps is so unique that inter-service moves into the Corps don't make a ton of sense. It's kind of like expecting to lat move directly into an elite community in another service. We may not be on the same tier as SF as a Service, but we're certainly an organization that takes our screening and evaluating seriously. Earned, never given.