As a prior-service Navy veteran looking to rejoin the military (Army), what are some changes that I can expect?

2022-04-25T13:55:30-04:00

I'm an eight year submarine veteran, been out of the navy for 2 years and I intend on attempting to join the army later this year. What are some changes I can expect? I'm asking this everywhere I can so I can mentally prepare myself.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Apr 25 at 2022 1:57 PM

2022-04-25T13:57:33-04:00

I have no idea what to tell you, its changed so much since my son got out in 2012, I have no clue. All I can tell you is what I told my son, join the Air Force.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 25 at 2022 2:05 PM

2022-04-25T14:05:00-04:00

A totally different lifestyle, and depending what MOS you pick- maybe earth-shattering as well. Study what you want deeply.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2022 2:25 PM

2022-04-25T14:25:44-04:00

Contact @SFC thomas Livingston MSG Private RallyPoint Member he is very knowledgeable about military related questions.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2022 3:07 PM

2022-04-25T15:07:57-04:00

Well, I'm not sure what kind of changes your are meaning. I mean, there is certainly some changes that you would experience going from Navy to Army.

Can you be more specific in regards to what changes you are wanting to prepare for?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2022 3:14 PM

2022-04-25T15:14:44-04:00

PO2 Gabriel Patterson Below is a post about 19D. Do a search on "19D", and then click on "Answers" to find the other posts. Follow this procedure for 12B and 19K.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-s-it-like-being-a-19d--2

What’s it like being a 19D? | RallyPoint

I’m in my reenlistment window and have 19D as a reclass option. What is the day to day like as a cav scout like? What’s it like on deployment and garrison? What would be my duties as a cav scout and as an E5 19D?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2022 1:08 AM

2022-04-26T01:08:59-04:00

Many have made the transition you will be fine!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 26 at 2022 5:53 AM

2022-04-26T05:53:50-04:00

The big change is that Captain is O3 in the Army and O6 in the Navy.
Ratings go away and you will be known by your rank. Oh, E-5 through E-8 are all Sergeant, unless that E-8 is First Sergeant, then he is known as First Sergeant. Command Sergeant Major are Sergeant Major.
Combat Arms units take PT pretty serious, expect a big difference there.
Promotions in the Army are more school driven than in the Navy.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 27 at 2022 9:42 AM

2022-04-27T09:42:34-04:00

Physical fitness. Reading what you want for MOS, you need to be fit. Look up the APFT and start getting ready for it.

Response by SP6 Patrick Lavin made Apr 28 at 2022 5:04 PM

2022-04-28T17:04:37-04:00

I was a six year Navy veteran, who when back into the Army. When I re listed I had experience as a police officer, and my degree in Criminal Justice. The recruiter told me I only qualified for Infantry, Tank Crew member or Bridge Engineer. I chose to enlist as a 12C Bridge Engineer. I had to do boot camp again for the second time and Advanced Individual Training as a Bridge Engineer. Total training was 13 weeks. As the years went by, 11 years total, I came out as an E6. I came out of the Army and worked 20 years in a state prison working as an education counselor. In all the military teaches discipline and how to hate. Even now at the ripe age of 72, I often dream and think of the days and people I came upon. Some people call this PTS (Post Traumatic Syndrome). Yes, I am bald! Now I volunteer for the Veteran Court as a mentor helping other veterans.

Response by SP6 Patrick Lavin made Jun 16 at 2022 7:43 PM

2022-06-16T19:43:15-04:00

Watch out for the A___oles!!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2022 12:06 PM

2022-06-20T12:06:00-04:00

I was an 8 year Navy Veteran that enlisted in the Army after being out for many years. I have recently Retired with 23 years of service. There are many things to consider when joining the Army.
1. Will you be full time Army, Army Reserve or National Guard?
They each have their differences but work together for the greater good.
2. What job/MOS will you receive?
You will be required to have an Army MOS to make RANK! (Ensure you get the MOS School as quickly as possible!)
3. Just like the Navy, get everything in writing and ensure you keep copies of everything... Even your Naval record will be needed!
4. You will have to take Military Leadership courses (BLC, ALC SLC and MLC depending on the rank you enlist at) The Army does not recognize the Navy equivalent.

There is a lot of differences between the two branches as the Navy is an industrial base branch while the Army is personnel heavy. Chose an MOS that you will be challenged and enjoy.

Response by CPL General's Driver General's Driver made Jun 20 at 2022 6:58 PM

2022-06-20T18:58:12-04:00

Dear, former PO2 Gabriel Petterso, look for Army posts that have colleges on-site; After I got out of Basic Training and went to AIT (Advanced Individual Training for my MOS 71l that 71-Lima), I wrote NATO posts like Heidelberg, SHAPE HQ, Netherlands and received what are called "Control and Line Numbers", which are officers who wrote me back while I was still in Fort Jackson, SC learning to type without looking at my fingers. When I got to the Army's 21st Replacement at Rhein Main, they tried to ignore those assignment orders and put me in formation as a "people package" to a remote assignment.

I fell out of formation and ran to the E-6 who was in the office at Rhein Main and told him, I have 4 letters with control and line numbers at NATO posts, I shouldn't be going to a remote assignment. He said, let me give you a typing test and if you pass it, you'll be going to Heidelberg, where you can finish your B.A. degree.

I passed the test. You do not need to stay in formation and be shipped off to BFE. Had I not the courage to fall out of formation and find that Staff Sergeant, my life would have been completely different.

You want to choose an MOS that is useful at all assignments; If you're bent on specific MOSs you might be shooting yourself in the foot. Get your college degree, a B.A. not an A.A. and become an officer. You'll benefit your troops by having previous enlisted experience, plus be an enlightened leader with a more broad view of the world situation.

I wish when I was 24 and in the Army there were 60-yr olds like me around. I'm not trying to be pushy, but I gotta say working full time at a NATO post while goiing to full-time college at night and on the weekends kept me out of trouble and I accomplished a major goal. God bless you, former PO2 Gabriel Petterson.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2022 5:25 AM

2022-06-21T05:25:00-04:00

I had a 20 year break in service (1996-2016) from the Navy to the N.G. I was able to keep rank and TIS. However, was screwed by the Good Ole Boy system once I completed BCT and AIT. All I needed was BLC to promote to E5 and two different units kept placing their friends ahead of me. After 4 years I finally picked up E5 and now due to no available slots I am probably going to have to change my MOS/Rating to promote. Again slowing down my progression.
Lesson to learn look ahead and see what MOS has room for growth and has had for the past couple of cycles.
#2 Don't let a Recruiter tell you they have to take RANK, TIS, or TIG. That's a lie.
#3 Get a bonus if eligible. The Army has all of the money and is hurting for people. "Show me the money"

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2022 11:03 AM

2022-06-21T11:03:14-04:00

Probably a lot more political correctness,for one thing. However, best of luck to you!

Response by PVT Lois Bray made Jun 21 at 2022 12:40 PM

2022-06-21T12:40:30-04:00

Depends on what your MOS will be. The Army isn't what it used to be. I have heard that the Army has gone soft in their training. Being prior service, you will have an advantage over the other recruits. Stay open minded of what you expect from the Army, and what you expect from yourself. Wish you the best of luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2022 9:26 AM

2022-08-03T09:26:38-04:00

Well, none of those MOSs are interesting...You should keep trying for a different one

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2022 2:20 PM

2022-08-03T14:20:06-04:00

Been in the Army 20 years. Join the Air Force.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Aug 3 at 2022 3:28 PM

2022-08-03T15:28:27-04:00

As you probably know by now, prior Navy and USAF have to go through Army Basic Training. Expect to be put in a leadership position, but if not whatever you do, DON'T become a barracks lawyer. When I went Army from Navy, myself and another Army yprior service (out over 2 years so he had to do Basic again) - we were sent home and had to call our Drill Sgt every Sunday. That was during Nam ('71) and the didn't want vets having the wrong kind of influence on the new guys. Probably not that way now and when we did it, it was definitely not legal but the whole Company chain of command was aware of it so it was probably common.
The young folks will look up to you and will likely seek your advice. Share but don't get involved in discipline issues. It's a new culture, but after Basic, not all that different ... same UCMJ and depending on the unit, the same expectations for performance. I went from PO3 to PFC. My guess is after 2 eyars out, you'll go in as a PV2 but it's still a head start.
Good luck.

Response by Cpl Daiji Yoshimura made Aug 3 at 2022 9:35 PM

2022-08-03T21:35:36-04:00

I went from USMC infantry (0341) to Army M1 Tank Mechanic. I was allowed to keep my rank though an E4 in the Army is not an NCO unless you make Corporal in a job that is supervisory. However coming from the Marines it wasn't hard for me to adjust. I had to do the Gold phase of bootcamp but was treated differently because I was prior service. I got to stay in a separate barracks and didn't have to "live" with the Soldiers who were fresh in bootcamp. I was off on evenings and had the weekends free.

There were some minor differences in how things were labelled. For instance in the Marines we called our "BDUs" cammies. Or they said their hooah different than oorah. The Army did have far more luxuries than Marines ever see. The Army just always seemed to have the newer gear and plenty of it! The Marines handed out Vietnam era stuff like an ALICE pack back in 1998 and I am sure the Army had the newer stuff already. Although I will always prefer my H-harness over the newer stuff anyday!

The leadership in the Army was different because Soldiers rank up faster. So you do have less quality NCOs (IN MY OPINION!) than the Marines. However, I have served with some of the best America has to offer in both branches and I am proud of my service in both.

Good luck to you and I hope you have great success brother!

Response by Capt Sylvia DeBorger made Aug 3 at 2022 11:00 PM

2022-08-03T23:00:25-04:00

I was an AF vet who went back into the Army. They just threw me into a job and expected me to know everything "Army" without any training. I was lost there for a while. For one thing, I did not know how the Army enlisted ranks differed from AF ranks. I had to teach myself.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2022 11:33 PM

2022-08-03T23:33:19-04:00

I went from Air Force to Army Reserve. Get ready for basic again. I didn't mind going and it got me back in shape. When I got to AIT it wasn't until 6 monthd later. Depending on what you sign on for your enlistment, you'll get something out of changing services. I wish you good luck in what you do.

Response by MAJ Daniel Symonds made Aug 4 at 2022 10:45 AM

2022-08-04T10:45:48-04:00

I think you can go straight into your MOS training (AIT) and not have go to Basic Combat Training, since it's only been 2 years. I only have Army experience, so I can't comment on the differences but I did work with several that had made the jump. It will be hard at first because you will want to do things the way you did in the Navy, but will have to learn to do them the Army way. Once you get past that transition time of learning the Army way, set your sights on achieving your next goals and drive on! Good luck!

Response by 1LT Cindy Swartz made Aug 4 at 2022 10:18 PM

2022-08-04T22:18:55-04:00

They don't have all the navy speak. Also, you could very well end up being the smartest person in your unit. I went from Navy to Army and it was a culture shock for me. I served from 1970 to 1999. The men were sexist in both Navy and Army. The food isn't as good. Neither are the barracks. They will expect a higher level of physical readiness. That is what I remember.

Response by Sgt Robert Hellyer made Aug 5 at 2022 9:04 PM

2022-08-05T21:04:16-04:00

I'm not sure, but you may have to go through Army Basic. My son was considering going Army after having been in the Air Force for several years, but he would have had to go through basic training again and decided to stick with the AF.

Response by SFC Larry Jones made Aug 7 at 2022 11:22 PM

2022-08-07T23:22:23-04:00

I was a recruiter. I know you will have to do our basic training. I take exception with the man who says the Army taught him to hate. If anyone has reason to hate, it is I. I was in a catastrophic motor vehicle line of duty accident when I had 16 years time in service. My chain of command changed hands and I had a 1SG who refused to acknowledge my limitations. He told everyone he could think of I was a worthless dirtbag. Of course, people who had known me before, knew better. I had a second surgery at BAMC in 1994 and almost died from post surgical complications, i.e., A pulmonary embolism. But 28 years later I am still here, loving life and on 100% disability. It is what you make it. I don't hate anyone or anything.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Aug 19 at 2022 3:41 PM

2022-08-19T15:41:44-04:00

Officer rank is different. Example a Cpt. (2 silver bars) is not a LT in the Army it's a CPT. Besides the uniform most of the stuff is the same. Great choice on choosing the organization in the world lol

Response by PO2 Gabriel Patterson made Aug 20 at 2022 12:47 AM

2022-08-20T00:47:43-04:00

Thank you for all of your input and advice, but I got a job offer that I can't refuse, more than twice what I made as an e5 and with a baby on the way I can't turn they down