A 9 year break in service. I miss it. Can I go back?

SSgt Richard Umphrey — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 23:40:10 -0400

I served in the USAF, got out in 2011, now I’m missing it and want to go back. Any advice after a 9 year break??

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2020 11:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 23:42:50 -0400

You need to speak to a recruiter. Air Force is very strict in taking back prior service. You will probably have a better shot with the Army

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Sep 25 at 2020 2:56 AM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 02:56:46 -0400

You might also try the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard. There’s a lot of opportunity in both components to get on an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) tour.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 25 at 2020 7:51 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 07:51:50 -0400

Yes, its possible, i had an 8 year break in service and did go back into Air Force blue. You will have to take the physical, entrance exams, everything all over again. I did come back in as a SSgt which is what I left as but due to the length of time lost the time in grade. I did keep My same AFSC and skill level (7 level) In the next 14 years went from SSgt to SMSgt, turned down CMSgt and retired at 22 years total service. (8 years active duty and 14 as IMA) Also retired from civilian occupation as a Full time Police Officer.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 25 at 2020 8:24 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:24:38 -0400

Yes. Talk to recruiters from all 6 Services, active, Reserve, and Guard. Determine where you’ll get the best deal. Consider how soon you can enter, training requirements, entry rank, potential locations, impact on family. If you have a bachelors degree, consider a commissioning program.

Response by Sgt J W made Sep 25 at 2020 8:40 AM

Sgt J W — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:40:34 -0400

Hello,

I am in a similar boat, although my situation is a tad bit different. I am going through this right now so I will share with you, what I have learned.

I was USMC, 4 years, 0311 infantry. Got out with a goal to go to school, get my BA, and go right back in as an officer. It's been a very long term goal, since high school. Just to let you know, I've just completed my BA. Sticking to my goal, I'm trying to get back in.

The first thing you need to know, is what your reentry code is. This is important and 100% determines your eligibility to re enter service. For all branches. This is found on your DD-214, for #27. Should be an RE-1. Keep in mind, each branch, USMC, AF, ARMY, NAVY, all have different things for RE-1 codes. So if you have a different code than 1, perhaps a 1A or something like that, you'll need to check out the prior service business rules or just contact the recruiter of that branch to find out.

Secondly, you need to know that regardless of anything, you will be going back to MEPS. You will basically in essence, be treated as a new recruit, in some fashion. In regards to the process anyway. But, you won't be treated new entirely. Depending on what MOS you are trying to get, you may be required to re-take the ASVAB, or it may be advised for you to re-take the ASVAB. NOW, if you are claiming VA disabilities. This slims your chances of going back in - just slightly. It depends on what you are claiming. If you are P&T. If your disabilities are waiverable, you should still be allowed access to get back in (knowing that you wont be able to collect both; no brainer; but you'll give up your VA disability), but this also falls on your recruiter - how much work they are willing to put in for you to get back. This will be your biggest problem. You can call around but every. single. recruiter, will tell you, you need to have your VA disability "suspended" before even stepping foot in the office. Luckily for you, I have contacted the VA and asked about this. They don't really call it "suspending" but they can stop your benefits. You will out the VA Form 20-572, which basically is a change of address and direct deposit, and have your disability payments basically go no where. You then have to go to your local va office, explain your situation and have them write you a letter saying your payments have stopped, as you are entering active duty. When you want to "turn on" your VA payments again, you have to fill out the same form and submit to the VA, but they have informed me, there is no ETA as to when you will start getting paid again. So this is a risk, when you turn them off.

Next, and again, before walking into the recruiter office. You need all of your medical documents, because the recruiter and Chief Medical Officer will want to see it. ALL civilian records, military medical records and VA records -- all of them from before the military, to when you were in the military, to after you go out. All of them. If you have medical issues that are waiverable, make sure you go see a private doctor clearing you of those medical conditions. That's the most important step.

Im not sure how much different MEPS, will treat prior service, but I would IMAGINE, they would have a bit more respect for those with prior service. We're not fresh bodies, so we have some wear and tear. But the system right now is just amazing me, at just how much back turning is going on. Seasoned, combat vet, to another vet, and I'm not getting much assistance. It's phone calls, after phone calls, emails after emails, before I even get someone to pick up, or respond back to me. So just know, that you may have to jump to a couple different recruiters, even if its in another near by city.

To answer your question and kinda what someone else said when it comes to the prior service slots. According to what I was told by the national recruiter station (from the AF website, the phone number) they told me, there are 150 prior service slots they have per year. So if you are going to go this route, right now is the time to do so, as time is on your side, given the new fiscal new year is right round the corner.

I have learned that being prior service, its really hard to find a recruiter - at least for me - who is really going to go into the lengths to help you as much you need them to. I've had to talk to dozen, and I mean literally dozen, of recruiters from AF and Army. I've had one recruiter tell me, pretty much to F-off, saying there isn't a chance to get in. Absolutely no respect for prior service. If I can ever go back in, and I get into recruiting, I'm going to change this attitude especially when it comes to prior service. Knowing what I know now, and how difficult it is. There has to be a better process for all of this.

Don't be to set on the AF, they are hard to get in, and will treat you the same for trying to go back in. The ARMY and NAVY are also great options as well. Also keep in mind, your life style from the AF into those other branches are going to be way different. Not the same life styles as the AF. Also, with all the branches especially the AF, if you have a speciality degree, perhaps in medical, legal, something like that, you are a bit more desirable to the AF in particular. Whereas the other branches are more open and available.

My plan was to get out, get my BA, go back in but as an officer, and hopefully retire. I've been working on this goal, for almost a long time, prior to even enlisting, but kept the same goal when getting out. I have been out for 4 years, and I've now got my BA degree, trying to go back in but in another branch. Come to find out, my disabilities may stop me to go back in. I need to get an MRI, to confirm if I am good to go or not. So my advice to you, is to have a second option, plan b, but also consider some facts too.

Government contracting.

I know it seems far fetched. But have you considered even, government contracting? Big money, and it's real money to make. You could make it a career, if you are smart with your money, but I want you to know of the real options out there in the world. Especially one vet to another. I remember taking my first contract making 95k a year, and thinking that was amazing. And it still is really good money - who are we kidding. You get complacent, and start thinking you are good where you are at. Until you meet people making even more money than that. Then when you finally get on one of those big money contracts, you start trying to get those that you know onto the same or similar ones. Just as a plan b option to consider, if you do or don't yet have your va - to get your va - if you already do, then you can consider your VA could be your retirement pay especially if you are P&T, but some vets also do not consider or even know much about contracting. If we even consider just the entry level position in IT, you can work in so many places, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, I mean the possibilities are endless as to where. Even Afghanistan is still hiring for IT, and depending on what route you go, you're even still in 2020, looking at 200k+ a year. IF you worked in a technical field, maybe air craft mechanic or something along those lines, you are looking at around 100k-200k, can work in places like Kuwait, Qatar, Germany and so more as well. Also keep in mind, if you have a family, wife, kids, there are many contracts out there that allow you to bring your wife as well. Germany, Poland, Korea, Japan, Qatar, Kuwait and others.

Going back in, was a set goal for me, and again I'd stop contracting just to go back in, but I also have to consider what's making more sense. Regardless of the fact, I will still try to go back in as this has always been my long term goal even when I was in highschool, but again it depends on my MRI results. Contracting is great man, there is a lot of room to do it, but in the end you have to find out what's more important for you. What is your mission, what is your goal, and you need to align those with the realities of your life and those around you; such as your immediate family. If those MRI's for me are good to go, I will proceed that route but in the event they are not, I won't be to set back as I have already setup and maintained my plan b, in it's current course.

I realize that my response is very long and perhaps you already know everything I wrote in here, but now it's recorded for those in the future who later fall into these paths to consider and/or learn about today.

So in conclusion, my advice to you is, weight out all of your options man. Cheers!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 25 at 2020 4:38 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 16:38:40 -0400

It is all based on your age and the services need. Contact the recruiters.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Sep 26 at 2020 2:15 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 02:15:28 -0400

If the active Air Force won't take you - try the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.

Response by PO1 Debo Jones made Sep 26 at 2020 3:16 AM

PO1 Debo Jones — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 03:16:58 -0400

I went back in after a longer break. I did the reserves though. You have to do it where you can reach 20years of service before your 60th birthday (retirement).