Do I go back to basic training if I am prior-service Army?

PFC Gustavo D. SPC Jovani Daviu SGT Eric Davis Sgt (Join to see)
I was out for over SIXTEEN YEARS (Yes, 16 plus years) and I didn't have to take basic again. I even went to war with a weapon that I was NEVER officially trained in the use of (the M-16 and its successors). My last training was with the M-14. Fortunately, being a "firearms dude", I was thoroughly familiar via my personal AR platforms. I DID have to drop a pay grade when I came back in, and ironically, I was sworn into the service (Army) by a Marine officer - a Captain, as I recall. Hey... life is good!!!

It depends. How long have you been out? Are you still obligated to IRR? In my case I am still obligated to IRR and I am now in the process of reenlistment to AD Army. No BCT. Just AIT and straight to my unit.

No you would not! You would only have yo attend if you had a break for 3 or more years! I just got back in after 7 years and didn’t attend one lol

PFC Gustavo D.
"Q. Do I have to attend Basic Training again?
A. In the Army, former members of other services (except the Marine Corps), are required to attend the four-week Warrior Transition Course at Fort Bliss, Texas. Former Soldiers and Marines who have a break in service of more than three years must also attend this course. For the purpose of this section, for soldiers and Marines who separate, break in service starts after Military Service Obligation (MSO) is completed or when a member (regardless of service) is no longer a member of a reserve component (including the IRR)"


Per http://www.militaryspot.com/enlist/prior-service-faq

"Q. Will I get to pick a different MOS (Job)?
A. In most cases, prior service candidates must enlist in the military job they had at the time of separation, unless the service declares there is no need for that job. Only then can the member elect to enlist into a different job. Additionally, in many cases, if the member had a military job (MOS) in one service that directly cross-relates to a job in the service they want to join, and if that service has a shortage in that job, the applicant is required to enlist in that particular job. In other words, if you were an Security Forces Personnel in the Air Force , and you wish to join the Army, and the Army has a current shortage of Military Police , you would be required to enlist as an Military Police troop. Only if you held a job that doesn’t directly cross-relate to a job in the service you are joining, or if the service doesn’t have a shortage in that job, would you be allowed to re-train into a different job.

Q. Do I have to attend Basic Training again?
A. In the Army, former members of other services (except the Marine Corps), are required to attend the four-week Warrior Transition Course at Fort Bliss, Texas. Former Soldiers and Marines who have a break in service of more than three years must also attend this course. For the purpose of this section, for soldiers and Marines who separate, break in service starts after Military Service Obligation (MSO) is completed or when a member (regardless of service) is no longer a member of a reserve component (including the IRR)

Q. Will I retain my rank?
A. A current member of the Army Reserves or Army National Guard who has completed Initial Active Duty Training (IADT):

(1) If prior service applicant has not been awarded an MOS and enlists within 12 months from the date released from active duty (IADT), the enlistment pay grade will be the grade held at time of release from IADT, unless the Reserve Component has promoted the applicant to a higher grade. Applicant must produce DA Form 4187 approving the promotion to the higher grade.

(2) If applicant has been awarded an MOS and enlists within 12 months from the date released from active duty (IADT), the enlistment pay grade will be the grade held at time of release from IADT but not less than E-2.

3) If applicant has been awarded an MOS and has 12 months service after release from IADT, the enlistment grade will be the grade currently held up to the grade of SPC (E-5)."

Thanks for alerting me, my friend SSG William Jones
FYI Sgt (Join to see) LTC Stephen Conway COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins PO1 William "Chip" Nagel

PFC Gustavo D. Here is a previous post dealing with that topic. You need to talk to an Army Recruiter.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-is-prior-service-and-went-through-the-army-basic-again-how-was-your-experience-how-the-drill-sergeants-treat-you

I just finished Prior Service BCT. I was out 10 years. You will not have to go. If a recruiter says you do, get a different recruiter.

I was off active duty in '78, with the 2/19th SFG until about 1980 when I was in a bike wreck and had to drop out. I re-enlisted in '87 and had to go back thru Basic and AIT (till I was medically boarded out). It was funny, headed to Infantry AIT with an EIB lol. I'm not sure why they put me back thru Basic, but with only 1 year of separation, I doubt you will have to repeat, and may even be able to keep all your rank.

Is it just the active Army that takes advantage of soldiers by removing a stripe? I think that's a crock of crap if they do this still. I know this is not happened to officers. I don't think this happens in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve. I don't think it happens if you become an AGR as an enlisted. Someone please tell me if this is still true?

Don't believe you have to, best thing to do is ask the recruiter, he should know for sure.

This is a question for a recruiter- you will more than likely have to do the medical side and MEPPS again, but you may get to by-pass BMT