Can an officer's commission be later reinstated when the officer initially resigned the commission and received an Honorable Discharge?

1LT Rey Craig — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:43:32 -0400

Response by 1LT Ryan Millican made May 2 at 2016 8:48 PM

1LT Ryan Millican — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:48:09 -0400

You can enlist or go warrant

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 8:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:48:26 -0400

It has happened before, but I don't know the process, or if it can be done today. You need to talk to someone in officer strength management. Did you actually resign your commission, or just get out after your obligation ended?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 8:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:51:06 -0400

Yes, provided he left on positive terms. My BN XO has resigned his commission twice. Once after his initial four years out of West Point, the second after four years with the Alabama National Guard. He has been back in the Reserves for two years.

Response by 1LT Rey Craig made May 2 at 2016 8:57 PM

1LT Rey Craig — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:57:25 -0400

I ask because I served over 4.5 years on active duty and 8 years in the Army Reserve (with about 2 years of that deployed/activated). So, I have over 12 years of service and am seriously contemplating rejoining the Army Reserve or the National Guard both for retirement purposes and because I greatly miss serving in the military. I grew up in a military family (father was full-time career navy and grandfather was an Army WW II veteran and I have other family members who have served). I only left the military because I had some health issues at the time that have now been successfully resolved. If necessary, I will enlist if either the Army Reserve or National Guard will accept a 46 year old veteran. However, if possible, I would like to reinstate my commission as it seems like a waste not to use all the training I received for the commission (BOLC, AGOBC, COTR, etc.). Thanks.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 2 at 2016 9:27 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 02 May 2016 21:27:23 -0400

I realize you might not want to go in this direction and those answering here obv know more ant the topic I just wanted to suggest that if read that the USPHS age limit is apparently 44 not that means anything in the case you describe I just figured I'd mention it I've read odd stories of svc mbrs of late if they're useful at comparable or high ages espec in clinical fields I only mention it as an observation honest .

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 12:59 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 12:59:26 -0400

Yes. As long as the resignation was not on turbulent terms... It could be an arduous process but it could be reinstated using the right steps and context.

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made May 5 at 2016 8:27 AM

MAJ Bill Darling — Thu, 05 May 2016 08:27:05 -0400

Yes, commissioned officers can be reinstated after resigning their commission. I worked at HRC-STL for a number of years and there was a DA directorate in our building which performed this for both the RA and USAR. Naturally, laws and regulations change, but I don't think this has changed drastically.

It is usually a matter of the infamous "needs of the Army" as to how easy or difficult it is to be approved. During manpower shortages, obviously, it's easier and harder during drawdowns. During the late 90s/early 00s during the great exodus of captains from the Army, they were even requesting people to come back in, even those with bad paper.

Response by LTC Andrae Evans made May 5 at 2016 3:24 PM

LTC Andrae Evans — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:24:21 -0400

Yes, it takes paperwork.
But easily doable.

Response by LTC Monte Anderson made May 5 at 2016 11:32 PM

LTC Monte Anderson — Thu, 05 May 2016 23:32:37 -0400

It would be unusual to resign a commission. Officers can resign from active service, but the commission stays in effect because it's granted by Congress. It would also be extremely rare to offer a commission a second time.

Response by LT Mark Morgan made May 25 at 2016 7:28 PM

LT Mark Morgan — Wed, 25 May 2016 19:28:26 -0400

LT - Everything I've ever heard has indicated that yes, you should be able to re-enter at your former commissioned rank. However, I can't confirm for an attempt to resume active duty; it is easy if you're going into the National Guard or Reserves. Hopefully someone else can provide additional details.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 1:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 13:59:09 -0400

This is a great thread as I am in the same boat. Got out as a Captain in 2008 with an Honorable Discharge. I was IRR for 11 years. Never said I wanted out but just got an Honorable Discharge Certificate in the mail. I'm 50 now and got 12 good years in and want to complete the 8 to get my 20. Sounds like a lot of run arounds you got Rey. I just contacted the California ARNG PAO and now have a number to call. Will report back to see if going back in as an officer is possible.

Response by Maj Brian Maes made Jul 3 at 2017 11:26 AM

Maj Brian Maes — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:26:32 -0400

I was retired (early) from the Air Force under the TERA in Dec 2015. I had served just over 15 years and was a Major. I want to be reinstated into the Active Duty AF, but I'm not sure if it is possible/probable to do so. Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Sep 6 at 2017 1:24 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 01:24:21 -0400

I believe your age is working against you. If you were a medical, dental, or nurse corps officer they take old folks all the time. Perhaps even an attorney for JAG Corps might be an older re-commission. Got lucky myself after about an eight year break in service I got St. Louis to void my discharge and bring me back in as an officer but at that time they were needing company grade officers and I had completed both Basic and Advanced Courses. Best of Luck!