Army to Navy

I am in Army ROTC wanting to branch something medical. I am looking at going active duty for 4 years with the rest of my service commitment in the IRR.

After my service in the army I want to join the navy (still in the medical field).

As an officer is it possible to switch branches like this? And would I be an officer in the navy?

Is there anyway to switch early? For example would I be able to do 4 years active army and then go active navy and get released from my army IRR commitment?


This is a long shot but it’s my dream to serve in both branches and any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as I know very little. Thank you

Mod Note:
Moving this thread to the ROTC forum where you may get more responses.

Is it possible to switch services? Yes. Is it common? No. Typically you need a manning shortage in one service for something like this to happen. The Army paid for your training and they will want to get their moneys worth. Honestly, I would just focus on what is in front of you and not worry about something like this happening.

davejean90 said:

Is it possible to switch services? Yes. Is it common? No. Typically you need a manning shortage in one service for something like this to happen. The Army paid for your training and they will want to get their moneys worth. Honestly, I would just focus on what is in front of you and not worry about something like this happening.

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I'd say it is more common at the officer level rather than on the warrant or enlisted side for Active Duty. Rare, but that is more because folks don't want to start over learning a new rank structure, customs and courtesies, etc. It boils down to the job-- some (like Intel or Cyber) have a lot of commonality between the branches, others (like surface warfare, infantry, and missile ops) do not.

In the reserve component, it is not at all uncommon for officer or enlisted to jump from branch to branch as opportunities arise.

As far as your IRR commitment, I wouldn't sweat that too much. You are signing up for an 8 year commitment, of which at least 4 have to be Active. Whether you do 4 years in IRR, RC, or AD via another branch doesn't really matter.

Salsold said:

I am in Army ROTC wanting to branch something medical. I am looking at going active duty for 4 years with the rest of my service commitment in the IRR.

After my service in the army I want to join the navy (still in the medical field)....

This is a long shot but it’s my dream to serve in both branches and any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as I know very little. Thank you

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What year are you in AROTC? What do you mean "something medical"? Do you want to be a nurse, doctor, lab officer, Medical Service Corps in the Army?

Take a look at the Defense Health Agency. Military medicine for Army, AF, and Navy is changing as part of the DHA.