I'm prior-service Army with a four-year break in service. Can I still enlist in the National Guard?

SGT Aaron McCullen — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:04:35 -0500

I have been out of the army for four years now. Got out as a E5 Becuse of a failed or test. I did 6 years total. I'm thinking about joining the national gaurd here in Montana. Here are my questions.
1) can I get back in even with the PT discharge?
2 can I keep E5
3) do they reissue cammies, pt, and dress uniforms
4) can I still use my GI bill if I join up
5 do i have to go back to basic
Thank you

Response by SGT Aaron McCullen made Jan 5 at 2018 12:09 AM

SGT Aaron McCullen — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:09:37 -0500

Ok here is the deal. I have been out of the army for four years now. Got out as a E5 B ecuse of a failed or test. I did 6 years total. I'm thinking about joining the national gaurd here in Montana. Here are my questions.
1) can I get back in even with the PT discharge?
2) can I keep E5?
3) do they reissue cammies, pt, and class A uniforms?
4) can I still use my GI bill if I join up?
5) would I have to go back to basic (not a big deal just wondering)?
6) any other tips tricks or thing I should know on this subject?
This is the full question as of now
Thank you for your time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 1:26 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 01:26:15 -0500

You'd have to ask a Guard Recruiter to be sure but you might be able to keep your E5. Depends on what's available, needs of the Guard, etc. They might drop you to Specialist or Corporal, I've heard of that happening too. You will get issued new uniforms, Supply should cover that no problem. You don't get a uniform allowance in the Guard so they issue you your uniforms and replacements every so many years. You might have to attend Basic again... Don't quote me on that, could just be because those guys were Navy they had to do Basic with us.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Jan 5 at 2018 1:36 AM

SPC Robert Coventry — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 01:36:51 -0500

Have you been practicing the PT test so that is not an issue? I had a friend do it and they dropped him to E3 but didn't have to do basic again he was out almost 2 years but this was in the 90's so old info.

Response by SPC Christopher Mulrooney made Jan 5 at 2018 2:43 AM

SPC Christopher Mulrooney — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 02:43:17 -0500

I would really talk with a Army National Guard Recruiter in your area.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 3:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 03:35:47 -0500

In regards to #2, I'm guessing the biggest factor in whether or not you keep your rank will probably come down to if you have completed BLC/WLC/PLDC since it is required for promotion to SGT now. As everyone else has said, a recruiter can give you the best answers to all of these question. Best of luck with the whole process.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jan 5 at 2018 4:22 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 04:22:38 -0500

I joined Guard after 4 year break from Active Duty. Uniforms reissued. Used GI Bill. Did not have to go back to basic. Did drop from E5 back to E4.Dropped back to E4 because I had to change MOS. Every situation.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 5 at 2018 6:54 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 06:54:37 -0500

All depends on what the recruiter says, and can do for you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 7:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 07:06:17 -0500

I had a 5 year break from active duty to my enlistment in the National Guard. Some of that time was IRR so I got to keep my rank (E5) and did not have to go back to basic training. There are all sorts of hurdles to jump and tons of paperwork to fill out, but you should be able to fly thru MEPS as prior service. Your best bet is to seek out the local recruiter and see what your options are, the National Guard varies state to state and fill slots based on availability of said slots. You may or may not have to re-class to another MOS to be able to even enlist. Talk to a recruiter and see what they have to say.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 5 at 2018 8:40 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 08:40:49 -0500

OK, first question would be what is your RE code. RE-3 requires a waiver, you wouldn't need one for RE-1 and at least here at present, it's a waste of time if you are RE-4. If you aren't RE-4 and are enlisting in your present MOS, the general answer to number 2 is yes, they will enlist you at your current rank. 3. Yes, they will reissue you uniforms. 4. No, re-enlisting will not effect your GI Bill benefits. 5. No, since you are prior service Army, you will not be required to go through BCT.
The only other catch is that you have to be able to pull 20 years before age 60.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Jan 5 at 2018 10:17 AM

SGT Chris Stephens — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 10:17:19 -0500

I did this same exact thing with the GA Guard.
1. Shouldn't be an issue as long as you can pass a PT test
2. I kept mine even though I didn't have WLC. But, I did have to complete WLC within 1 year of being in the National Guard.
3. They reissued some stuff for me, but I still had some of my same old stuff that was still in use, so I didn't need that much. But, if you don't have it, they'll issue you what you need.
4. Not sure on GI Bill
5. That was my #1 question. No, you don't have to go back to basic. I know that was a deal-breaker.

Like the others have said, contact the recruiter. The good thing about being prior service, the recruiter won't waste time on the BS with you. You can just get straight to the point.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 5 at 2018 12:29 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 12:29:13 -0500

should be, yes. I did that and then turned it into an AGR tour

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 1:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 13:41:57 -0500

1) It depends on what blocks 26 and 27 (Separation and Reentry Codes ) on your DD214 say.
2) It depends on available slots for your pay grade.
3) Yes.
4) Yes.
5) Maybe.

Response by 1LT Kevin Chapman made Jan 5 at 2018 6:51 PM

1LT Kevin Chapman — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 18:51:54 -0500

I’m positive that you will have to do the prior service basic training in Fort Leonard wood, it’s 6 weeks long. Anything longer than a 3 year break in service and they’ll have to send you there.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Feb 19 at 2018 8:51 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 20:51:09 -0500

Have you started talking to recruiter yet?

Response by TSgt Carl Johnson made Apr 11 at 2019 6:30 AM

TSgt Carl Johnson — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 06:30:09 -0400

I had a 12 year break in service when I joined the Air National Guard. I was a police officer at the time, and worked out religiously, so I was in excellent condition. If you keep the same MOS, you may keep your rank, but the ARNG may work differently than the ANG. I had to be issued new uniforms, none of the uniforms that I had left were still authorized, lol!

Response by SGM Gerald Fife made Jul 7 at 2020 3:39 AM

SGM Gerald Fife — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 03:39:53 -0400

Everyone of your questions can be answered by the National Guard unit you are "thinking" about joining. I didn't know you could be discharged because of a failed PT test. But then again this old Guy hasn't been near the Army sice I retired 25 years ago and I will be 85 in 2 months.