How will my five-year break in service impact my having to attend basic and AIT again, as well as keeping my rank?

2019-08-15T15:29:51-04:00

I just had the company commander of my recruiting station sign my memo to move forward with my waiver. He is sending it up to battalion next week and I will receive my battalion review. I was told once it gets to that point it could take 1 hour to 2/3weeks to make it from battalion to brigade to USAREC. From my general understanding the company and battalion commander are on the same page and are pushing for a wrongful discharge and to allow me back in and serve. I get the whole it’s a privilege not a right to serve. See my profile for the details. I’ve explained my spot previously. My question is, is that true? My second question is I’ve been out for 5 years was told I would keep my grade but would have to go probably go through full blown basic training again. Any truth to that. Third question, was told based off prior service rules when the time comes - if my MOs is still open for PS that I may not have to go through AIT. Truth behind this? Am I getting smoke blow up my ass?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2019 3:38 PM

2019-08-15T15:38:38-04:00

IRT the wrongful discharge, that’ll be between you, the recruiter and USAREC to hash out. Next, when I re-entered the military after 3.5 years break in service, I had to go back through basic. While in basic, I met someone who was in the Army, had a 6 year break in service and had to go back through. But, you should direct that question to your recruiter. Be prepared to go back through 10 weeks if they say you have to. Finally, take a lot at the Army business rules to see what MOS are available for the ranks for prior service. If your MOS isn’t available, then you’ll have to reclass and obviously go through AIT over again. Hope this helps.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Aug 15 at 2019 3:39 PM

2019-08-15T15:39:07-04:00

Great questions! Unfortunately I don’t know the answers, but I did ‘fix’ numerous promotion point worksheets for Soldiers who were drafted during Vietnam, completed their tours, were civilians for a while , and then reenlisted. I corrected there time in service and credit for classes they completed while civilians. Good luck!

Response by SFC Bill Mace made Aug 15 at 2019 4:18 PM

2019-08-15T16:18:08-04:00

I had a 30 month break in service. Went from E4 down to E1. Did not have to go back to basic, but my MOS was not available so I had to reclass. I wasn't treated like a trainee when I went through retraining. Had a different barracks for retrains and prior service. Not much help since that was 32 years ago.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Aug 15 at 2019 4:22 PM

2019-08-15T16:22:14-04:00

If your recruiter, the one who is working hard to get your waiver approved told you that why would you try to guess and what he is telling you is not correct???? Dah!

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 15 at 2019 8:16 PM

2019-08-15T20:16:45-04:00

Those questions can only be answered by your recruiter. Best of lucks on your endeavors!!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2019 12:19 AM

2019-08-16T00:19:26-04:00

Trust your recruiters with the process; they are subject matter experts. I am prior service and currently serving in USAREC. I was a SSG when I got out and had to come back as a SPC, attend WTC (a shortened version of BCT), and retrain into a new MOS. My process started in October 2008, I finally enlisted in May 2009, and shipped to WTC in June 2009. I am currently a SFC and work for one of USAREC's BDEs as an Operations NCO. Again, trust the process, be patient, and take whatever they offer. As a prior service you will be limited to job options; you had your chance during your first go around. when I came back in I was 36 years old and all that was available was 11B; I took it and later reclassed once I WAS BACK ON ACTIVE DUTY. Hope this helps...

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Aug 18 at 2019 1:33 AM

2019-08-18T01:33:27-04:00

I had left active duty as a SSgt and after an 8 year break in service had to take all the written exams, physical etc all over again to enter the Armed Forces. I came back in as a SSgt but had lost the time in grade as it was so long ago I had left. Basically I was a new SSgt again. In the next 14 years I did make that time in grade up again and got my 5th Stripe, then MSgt, then SMSgt which is a grade I held for over 6 years before I retired with just over 22 years total service behind Me.

I did also reentered with the same AFSC, Air Force Specialty Code 81271, Law Enforcement and Corrections Supervisor that I had held before. (what other services call an MOS) They needed people there and I had no problems coming back. I also went back to the same unit, the 32145th Security Police Squadron at Hanscom AFB, MA I had been assigned to back when I had returned from Vietnam in 1968 and some of the people that had three stripes same as back then and the other was then a SSgt When I came back this 2nd times they were there again, One a TSgt, two others were now MSgts on that return.

Response by PO1 Dennis Herdina made Aug 18 at 2019 7:51 AM

2019-08-18T07:51:24-04:00

In this respect i know a bit the GENERAL RULE is out for 1 1 year same rank to reenlist. 2 years out lose a a rank. 3 or more years lose another rank and maybe redo basic and schooling. BUT there are always exceptions to rule. Trust your recruiter they know the game and the exceptions to rule.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Aug 18 at 2019 10:29 AM

2019-08-18T10:29:52-04:00

It's about right. Besides you did basic once, you can do it again and mentor the new guys. This could be an opportunity wrapped in effort.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2019 6:18 PM

2019-08-18T18:18:18-04:00

I had a 15 year break in service between Active Duty and National Guard. I came into the National Guard in 2017 without having to redo basic or AIT. I had a full-time position after six months and went to BLC in month seven. Your experience may vary. From what I understand, the rules change all the time.

Response by SGT Randall Smith made Aug 18 at 2019 7:41 PM

2019-08-18T19:41:46-04:00

I would think that if you have been out 5 years you will need BCT again and have a hard time keeping up with the younger guys.

Response by SPC Dimetris Booker made Aug 21 at 2019 8:56 AM

2019-08-21T08:56:08-04:00

Hi , I’m actually going through the same exact process as u as we speak . I got discharged oct 2015 though . We are literally at the same level in this process and the information given to u seems to be very similar to what is given to me also .

Response by SGT James Hammons made Aug 21 at 2019 9:06 AM

2019-08-21T09:06:03-04:00

Sacrifice rank if need be. It does not take long to get it back.

Response by MSG Loren Tomblin made Sep 2 at 2019 4:35 PM

2019-09-02T16:35:26-04:00

My experience was back in the day. I left the Army after three years as a SGT. I re-enlisted three years later and was a month short of retaining my former rank. However, as an E-2 with an EIB I made it back quick in 11 months as an E-6 (Viet Nam). Back then rank attainment was easy.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 11:53 AM

2019-10-11T11:53:06-04:00

I'm not certain Recruiting Command has the authority to make any determination with regard to whether your previous separation was a wrongful discharge.
The Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) is one of the 13 boards of Army Review Boards Agency (ARBA). ABCMR is the highest level of administrative appeal within the Department of the Army. The ABCMR's mission is to correct errors in or remove injustices from Army military records.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Oct 13 at 2019 10:49 PM

2019-10-13T22:49:07-04:00

That many years and the way the service does something changes because they realize the other way was wrong..
so don’t get your hopes up of skipping BCT or AIT.. you may have to do a brief BCT or AIT.
We had a couple retreads in the AF that did 14 days and were on their way..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2019 10:41 AM

2019-10-16T10:41:11-04:00

Short answer is yes. All of this is true. Your packet made it through too many levels of quality control for them to process you incorrectly at this point. (About 2 SFCs 3 E-8s and two E-9s as well as an O-3 and soon to be O-5) hang with the process they know what they’re doing.

-Station Commander of Mount Airy, NC

Response by SSG Brian Ellis made Oct 17 at 2019 11:46 AM

2019-10-17T11:46:05-04:00

I had a break in service and the only thing I had was a bust in rank. When I got to my unit the SGM who had been a recruiter said I should not have been busted as I was staying in the same MOS. When I conducted my own research I found he was correct and contacted my recruiter. He had no answer other than humana humana.

Response by SGT Joseph Dutton made Nov 10 at 2019 12:54 AM

2019-11-10T00:54:39-05:00

If your out for 10 years or more, then you will go back through basic again wither Army, Air Force & Navy. If out less than 10 years you will go through a refresher course. It lasts about 2 weeks. This where you get your uniforms & some updated training. The Marine Corps wither out for one day or nine years, you will go through basic. Coast Guard doesn't take prior service, even their own VETS last time I checked. Schools on the other hand is another animal I'm not familiar with.