SFC Robert Salmon 4939576 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>So I ran into an ARNG commander while on a project I was working on in Arkansas. We struck up a conversation during which I voiced I regret in not staying in though 9/11. He told me that I could enlist in the ARNG in Texas as long as I could hit 20 before I turned 60. (I think that&#39;s the age I was told.) Initially, I had some hope that this could happen, but the more I investigated, I realized that my DV rating was too high and I would have to try try and have that reduced to no greater than 30%. Obviously, I recognize the risk of trying to get my disability lowered, what happens if they lower it to 35%, or what happens if some medical condition could prevent entry. I am in fairly good shape, but who knows if some unknown issue would prevent entry? I&#39;m sure I could have the work done prior just to make sure I&#39;m GTG physically. At the time I ETS&#39;d I did it for good reasons, not because I did not like soldering, and it was the most difficult decision I&#39;ve ever faced, but here I am in my life feeling like I left things unfinished, aside from an early &#39;94 deployment to Bosnia, I did not deploy to the ME (That is a story of backstabbing for another time.) and so I get the feeling like I had never really put all my training to use from that perspective, I often feel that I did not do &quot;enough&quot;. My question is, has anyone ever pursued that path? Re-entering military service after being out more than 20 years and navigating the whole disability rating thing? At this point, I&#39;m just telling myself to get over the idea and deal with it. 2019-08-21T10:10:46-04:00 SFC Robert Salmon 4939576

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>So I ran into an ARNG commander while on a project I was working on in Arkansas. We struck up a conversation during which I voiced I regret in not staying in though 9/11. He told me that I could enlist in the ARNG in Texas as long as I could hit 20 before I turned 60. (I think that&#39;s the age I was told.) Initially, I had some hope that this could happen, but the more I investigated, I realized that my DV rating was too high and I would have to try try and have that reduced to no greater than 30%. Obviously, I recognize the risk of trying to get my disability lowered, what happens if they lower it to 35%, or what happens if some medical condition could prevent entry. I am in fairly good shape, but who knows if some unknown issue would prevent entry? I&#39;m sure I could have the work done prior just to make sure I&#39;m GTG physically. At the time I ETS&#39;d I did it for good reasons, not because I did not like soldering, and it was the most difficult decision I&#39;ve ever faced, but here I am in my life feeling like I left things unfinished, aside from an early &#39;94 deployment to Bosnia, I did not deploy to the ME (That is a story of backstabbing for another time.) and so I get the feeling like I had never really put all my training to use from that perspective, I often feel that I did not do &quot;enough&quot;. My question is, has anyone ever pursued that path? Re-entering military service after being out more than 20 years and navigating the whole disability rating thing? At this point, I&#39;m just telling myself to get over the idea and deal with it.

2019-08-21T10:10:46-04:00 2019-08-21T10:10:46-04:00 SFC Michael D. 4939641

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;d go talk to a recruiter. They should know if you can do it and what waivers if any that you would need.

2019-08-21T10:29:05-04:00 2019-08-21T10:29:05-04:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 4939643

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="679065" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/679065-sfc-robert-salmon">SFC Robert Salmon</a> yes and no - kind of. While I am receiving drill pay, I cannot also get my VA disability pay. This would be &quot;double-dipping&quot; according to the feds, and I would have to repay one or the other.<br />So, while not really taking a lower rating than my current 10%, I am not getting my monthly VA disability check if I have drill pay.

2019-08-21T10:29:42-04:00 2019-08-21T10:29:42-04:00 SFC Michael D. 4939668

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Just curious, is there a unit close to you that has your MOS or are you going to have to re-class?

2019-08-21T10:35:33-04:00 2019-08-21T10:35:33-04:00 MAJ Ken Landgren 4940218

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Harker Heights and Belton.

2019-08-21T12:52:39-04:00 2019-08-21T12:52:39-04:00 SFC Laurence Anderson 4941759

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Whatever VA Comp money you receive is subtracted from your National Guard Drill Pay. For Example, if you $300 per month VA Comp and get paid $450 per Drill weekend. Your Military pay is $150 for that Drill weekend. Not that money is everything, but think about what you are costing yourself longterm by reducing your VA rating. Those benefits are there lifetime for service connected disabilities. Besides, if you make it 20 years and get a reserve retirement at age 60, can you keep both VA Comp and your Reserve Retirement?You can for Active Duty Retirement but I think no for ARNG reserve retirement.

2019-08-21T20:26:12-04:00 2019-08-21T20:26:12-04:00 2019-08-21T10:10:46-04:00