Is it possible to serve in multiple branches of the military ?

In my USAF pilot training class we had 3 former Army helicopter pilots. Later when I moved from active duty to a reserve unit we hired a lot of former Navy and Marine pilots. One guy was Navy active duty, Naval reserve, California Air Guard, then USAF reserves.

SGT Jinger Jarrett - That's possible, however my knowledge came from 3years assigned to the LA MEPS from '86 to '89. Direct Branch Service transfers might only happen in the Osciffers Corps, all others please ETS prior to REUP.

Served USCG first, then "cross-decked" to the Navy. I was a Boatswain's Mate, so it was a lateral move. otherwise you usually get knock notch in grade. Or so it was when I was active 40 years ago.

SSG Dave Johnston Love your spelling for officers!

I served in both the Army and the Navy reserves, I had an Uncle who served in both the Army and Air Force. Basics of service are the same, just small learning curve. I wanted to Go Air force, but got mixed up with some TCE contamination in Army and ran out of Health, not really any advantage to doing this except for a change. And Air Force has much better dining facilities than Army.

Keep this in mind. When you cross into another branch sometimes it slows down progress towards advancement in rank. Also learning customs and courtesies may put you behind the power curve but switching branches should be considered only after weighing out the PROS and CONS. I did it out of wanting to deploy often. I was looking at the bonuses and career advancement options that would help me when I left the military.

I can second that multiple MOS comment.
By the time I had 20 years in I had had 4 different MOS, admittedly 3 of they were career progression related, 45B-45L-45K but by the time I retired I had picked up three more MOS.

I served 4 years in the Navy during the Vietnam Era 1973-77 and made it the PO 3rd class. I later served one year in the Army National 1985-86 and was a Buck Sergeant. I then Joined the Air Force Reserves 1986-91 and made it to Staff Sergent and accomplished the feat of serving in the military during two wars. Vietnam War and Gulf War Operation Desert Storm.

CPO Bill Penrod - You are vastly overstating your case. Being a prior service Marine isn't a walk in the park, but it's definitely doable. I not only did it, I did it at the age of 35 1/2.

I've already talked to them about prior service. It all depends whether they are accepting it or not at the time, so I can't really get my answer now because who knows if they will be in a couple years. The Marines at the recruiting office I specifically go to told me that they always take prior service from other branches in, and it was easier coming in from another branch than coming back in as a previously enlisted Marine.

There is definately a lag in training when I switched over. The Army did not send me to AIT because I was a Supply Sgt in the Marines as well. It was horrible the Army is completely different from the Marine Corps and I definitely could have benefited from that training.

I specifically remember many people who were in the air force before the army. For some reason I met several ex air force that were in their first year into the army. I knew a girl that did 4 years in navy, spent a year discharged and enlisted into army because a certain medical job she wanted wasn't available in navy for re-enlistment but was available in army. I was in basic training reception with a guy who just finished several years in air force and went straight from air force discharge directly into army. No idea why but I guess if it's an option and your time is up, why not try another branch? They're all significantly different experiences, rank system, rules of conduct, PT, obviously army and marines offer infantryman jobs that many desire for excitement and experience. Often I hear of married couples both in different branches will get into the same branch together so they can be together on the same base.. Obviously an army airborne husband at ft Bragg NC would have a tough time being with his wife working at Whidbey Island near Seattle as a financial clerk so she finished her enlistment and enlists in the army, chooses an mos most likely to be placed at ft Bragg or just find out jobs in need at Fort Bragg, take that MOS and join Army then request duty station be ft Bragg.. They grant requests like that all the time for married couples