If you changed branches of service, what made you change?

2015-06-21T18:03:17-04:00

I have noticed a fairly good percentage of individuals went into one branch of the service, i.e. Marines later changed to another. What made you change?

Response by CPO Gregory Smith made Jun 21 at 2015 6:16 PM

2015-06-21T18:16:05-04:00

My father and uncle were both Sailors so growing up I would dream about when I would be able to ship out. I graduated high school at 17 and went straight to the recruiter. Broke my heart when he told me I had to wait until I was 18. The Army recruiter saw me leaving upset and reeled me in like a 5 lb. bass. Just before the end of my first contract with the Army ended the Navy recruiter got in touch and asked if I still wanted in. I said hell yeah and after a few weeks of paperwork I transferred with no break in service. Proudest day of my life when I put on my cracker Jacks for the first time. Now I was just like my dad!!!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 21 at 2015 6:19 PM

2015-06-21T18:19:27-04:00

I'd hazard the guess "Desire to Serve" but change in opportunities.

From a Marines' viewpoint, many of us get out and getting back in is rough, especially without loss of rank. Transitioning to another service "normally" doesn't result in the same hit. It's not that there were "better" opportunities, it's that there were opportunities at all.

Like now, if I wanted to go back in, I couldn't. Too old for the Marines, but.... Navy Reserve I can meet the age cut off (34, but they subtract years in service which makes it effectively 42 for me). Becoming a Corpsman and serving again would be tempting, if I thought I was needed.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 6:27 PM

2015-06-21T18:27:58-04:00

Going into the Army Reserve allowed me to salvage over 14 years of Air Force active and qualify for retirement at age 60.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Apr 4 at 2017 7:22 AM

2017-04-04T07:22:00-04:00

My parents and family felt that the Navy was a better fit for me out of high school. It wasn't. Did my time (and it was a long four years) and got out.

Eight years later, some animals flew some planes into some buildings and I felt the need to serve. Th Navy offered my old job...no thanks, didn't really dig it all that much the first time 'round.