Why did you switch branches?

I'm currently considering going AD to Air National Guard as a way to serve as I did not make rank in time. Though crossing over to another branch has crossed my mind, I don't know that one is really better than the other if your mind is right. I see plenty of other branches talk about how good some USAF members have it and then those members talk about how little they receive. It is all a perspective and though I love being Active Duty, I am sure I will find a way to love the ANG as well.

I was regular Army, met (and married) a former Guard soldier who switched to AD. Honestly, I knew nothing about the Guard.
I was discharged from AD in 2002. In 2004, he prodded me to join the TXNG (what the hell was THIS?) and I did.
Much the same, but quite a bit different. I like the freedom I have with the Guard, but do miss the stability of AD.

I was active-duty Air Force (six years) and Air Guard (three years). After completing my undergraduate degree, I wanted to pursue a commission. I applied/interviewed for four openings in the Guard. The last time, I finished second-place to a kid off the street (whose relative was a retired Colonel). I did not take it personally, but when a colleague who had commissioned in the Army Reserve suggested I give it a try, I opted in. No regrets!

I got out of the regular component of the Marine Corps in 1992, and went back in to the military in the reserve component of the Navy in 2003. My reasoning for the change? I didn't want to be a 35 year old 03 Lance Corporal. War is a game for the young. So I became a 35 year old Storekeeper Third Class.

Discussion I had with a Navy Seal a long time ago when I mentioned my service history. After much banter and disbelief by others on the SEAL web site....I responded "Patches":
Jim,

No problem. The saga:

Part I
As you can see, my only active duty services was with the Air Force. The rest
was was reserve component duty.

Part II
Too keep up with the language and to avoid being totally associated with
civilians, I joined the Navy reserve as the Air Force was way too far away
(lived in NYC - Staten Island and USNR just down the street at Ft
Wadsworth).

Part III
Sibling rivalry story to be told in detail only while drinking, but suffice to say
my older brother (ex 82nd, 101st active and 11th SF reserves) called me a
"bus driver" (AF uniform) once too often. Next day went out and "joined"
11thSF in Tappan, NY. At 31 went through jump school given by 10th Group
at Ft Devins. Reserve SF training is quite different. Did not have "a" class.
Training consisted of three phases and rated exercise. Each of the first two
phases was divided into two sections, one correspondence (many, many
courses), & one 2 wk active duty stint at Ft Bragg for the corresponding
"physical" component for each phase. Phase III was all correspondence and
then a rated "exercise"; I eventually wound up on an "A" team in Richmond,
VA (another long story) and completed everything for flash (including rated
exercise) except Phase II morse code session, which was scheduled, but CO
(Cpt Berquist - father famous for Pear Harbor role) talked me into going with
team on rated exercise as no one could handle the comm and no real
language skills for rest of team. (I had finished morse code school in record
two weeks (also on reserve stint).

Part IV
As I lived in Roanoke VA, the hike to Richmond was long (4hrs) and very
annoying to my boss and the "war department" - my new Italian wife (whom I
kidnapped (11 yrs junior) from NY. Opportunity came up (challenge, again by
third party - you REALLY haven't served until you can say "I are a Marine."
So I did. Only regret......left before official award of flash.....instead of 31v4s
mos left as "candy striper" 31v4p.

Part V
Moved back to NJ & Joined up with younger Brother in the NJ National
Guard. He was the one who followed me into the 11th, only fitting I return the
favor.
Did absolutely NOTHING in the guard (another long story) but "earned" my
discharge.

That's about it for a high level recap. Lord love a challenge.

Only reason I did not go Marine (1st choice - PLC while at St John's) or
"Airborne" (follow in bro's bootsteps) the first "hitch" was because I failed the
eye test (miserably) for both & the Air Force did not care if I was blind.

Nuf for tonight.........beers on me when we hook up........regards.....<<<)(>>>


Jim "Patches" Watson wrote:

Matt
First I dont need to see any documents its just there are so many phonies
out there your
backgroun was hard to believe what class did you go threw, my
Brotherinlaw was with the
1st and 5th group in the 60s my swim buddy in diving tra. in St Thomas was
with the 77th
him and Vucavich harry later got out of the army and came to Team 2 he is
in my book
Point Man and Walking Point.
I was overwelmed by your back ground I thought I had been there and done
that again and
again would like to meet you one day. I live in Columbus In

Chief Jim "PATCHES" Watson
Yes I am Patches in Marcinkos Books

I left active duty in the Marines to further my education post Gulf War in 1992. I found that as time went on, I missed the camaraderie and sense of belonging that comes with being in the military.
I decided to join again in 2003. However, I did not feel that going back in to the Corps would be the best for me, as I would have been a 35 year old Lance Corporal, and likely in the infantry as I was a primary 0311. I chose to join the Navy Reserve, and came back in as a third class petty officer.
I got out in 2010 as a Second Class.

I was a Air Force Reserve flight nurse. During Desert Storm, the local C-130 unit had a waiting list, didn't want to commute to my old unit. Joined the local Army Guard as an ICU nurse in a MASH.