Is anyone familiar with prior service army going back through basic due to break in service?

PFC Don Jenks — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 00:42:02 -0400

I was in the army reserves for 8 years. I've been out since 2014. I'm currently going through the process of reenlisting and going active duty. I've heard that i have to go back through basic. In my research I've seen a 6 week basic for prior service and the standard 9. Any helpful insight would be appreciated.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Aug 7 at 2019 3:23 AM

CPL Gary Pifer — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 03:23:09 -0400

Well they might call you "Pops" You still have a long haul for a AD retirement. but a shorter path to a Reserve one at age 60. Your not that old..but be warned to not compete with 18 year olds...pace yourself mo injuries.. And at times do not disclose your prior service...I have seen age discrimination, especially from younger or same age personal of greater rank or from officers. In their minds they may think you're defective and or some sort of failure for having to come back in after being out. I came back in at 46 and got a lot of flack when I went active. I was Sgt Major and LT Col age.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2019 3:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 03:32:05 -0400

I had a buddy when I was pushed through Army BCT who was in the Army reserves. He changed over to active duty after a 6 year break in service. He had to go back through. I shifted from the Navy to the Army and had to go back through basic again and I had a 3.5 year break in service. They did away with PSBCT last November. We’re intermingled will the fresh boots and treated the same. Good luck getting back in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2019 4:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 04:59:53 -0400

I was out for a long break as well, I had to go back through OSUT again. I was 35 at the time... not gonna lie, some days hurt more than others but I just put it to the grind. The NCOs treated me just like everyone, only difference was they made me PG week 3 and I stayed there the rest of the 14 weeks...

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 7 at 2019 6:58 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 06:58:33 -0400

What does your recruiter says? S/he should have the answer you’re looking!

Response by SPC Paul Byler made Aug 7 at 2019 10:25 AM

SPC Paul Byler — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 10:25:19 -0400

They did away with the prior service boot camp. I’m a marine and I just went back through it all. If your break in service was over three years you’re going to be doing everything over again. If your a Sgt or a prior service NCO they possibly will put you in your own room. At the very least they should house you in a separate prior serve bay away from the IET private’s. However if you’re still a private after 8 years I wouldn’t even expect that, just being real with you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2019 10:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 10:45:54 -0400

I was active then reserves, took a 10 year break and did not have to do basic again.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2019 12:51 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:51:52 -0400

There is no longer a prior service BCT. With a 4 year break you will most likely be looking at the full 9. I and 4 other NCOs came from all walks and the break in service basically gets everyone if it's over a year.

Response by PV2 Raul Rivera made Aug 7 at 2019 8:25 PM

PV2 Raul Rivera — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 20:25:45 -0400

U shouldn’t have too just AIT

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 11:39 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 11:39:42 -0400

Usually if it’s a break of more than a year they send you back through.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2019 6:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 18:20:48 -0400

Yes. You would have to go back to Basic as prior of service with special treatment. I was a Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning and treated our POS different. It all depends what your MOS is and where you go. You were in the Army Reserves for 8 years. What was your rank when you left. Being an NCO will make your life all lot easier.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2019 9:09 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 21:09:27 -0400

I was out 10 years and submitted a packet to go to the Army Reserve. After 6 weeks waiting, I asked the recruiter what was going on. She said a CPT was reviewing it and was going to decide if I had to take a stripe off, go back to basic or do the Warrior Transition Course. My friend joined the AF Reserve and told me to look at the websites. After waiting for 6 weeks and not knowing when I would get a concrete answer, I looked at the AF Reserve & ANG sites. On the main pages it stated that any basic would be accepted, you keep your last pay grade , and would be eligible for a 15000 prior service enlistment bonus if signing up for 6 years on certain jobs. I signed up with the Air National Guard, got the bonus and kept my E5 from my active Army days.

Response by SSG Glenn Morse made Nov 10 at 2019 3:56 PM

SSG Glenn Morse — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 15:56:52 -0500

I had a 23 year break in service, I was 55 yrs old went to Ft Sill, it was their first time to do WTC and the DS's did not run it like WTC but like Basic and from my understanding WTC was discontinued and they went to normal Basic, being the oldest and the highest rank was a challenge but I did myself proud and completed better than a lot of the younger kids. As for MOS you were offered what they needed to fill, I was going Guard but same applied for Active. They didn't have any transportation MOS available so I took communications and went to AIT after WTC and of course WLC because I was prior Air Force and Army doesn't accept AF leadership schools. I was assigned to an infantry Battalion, best decision ever, tore me up but loved it. Retired with knee replacement and back issues but still happy. Good luck

Response by 1SG Wayne Cannon made Feb 27 at 2020 7:19 PM

1SG Wayne Cannon — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 19:19:27 -0500

Yes because alot of the MOSs are combined with Basic and AIT. Like Bradley crew , and more. So you would have to go back. Theres more just can't think of them all.

Response by 1SG Wayne Cannon made Apr 10 at 2020 9:00 PM

1SG Wayne Cannon — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 21:00:01 -0400

Some of the Advanced Individual Training is now incorporated along with basic training. I know when i retired in 95. Bradley training you went from straight basic into AIT, at Ft Benning. So that might be a reason. Others had to go back for weapons training.

Response by SSG James Mielke made Apr 16 at 2020 3:33 PM

SSG James Mielke — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:33:00 -0400

You have more than a 5 year gap from discharge to re-elistment, going back through Basic Training is mandatory, mostly because you might have gotten fat and soft. :D
But also because regs and SOPs change.

Response by 1SG Wayne Cannon made Jul 13 at 2020 12:51 AM

1SG Wayne Cannon — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:51:21 -0400

Some MOSs are combined now. I know before i retired for a Bradley fighting vehicle went from basic into AIT straight. Now some of the equipment i see now might havexthe training during basic. I knew of a soldier that was an E4 was a Vietnam vet. He had to go thru basic for weapons training. Hell the rest of the time there he just helped the Drill Sergeants. But that was years ago.

Response by SSG Michael StJohn made Nov 14 at 2020 7:48 PM

SSG Michael StJohn — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 19:48:51 -0500

Just do your time. I think you have to be under 35.
I did it with 12 or 13 years of service in about 1980.
Cant think of more.
Basic is just that unless your are combat arms and its a bit more physical. I went truck drivers and cooks basic at dix.
It was not tough. I was going to military intellegence so ididnt really need ft benning level basic. Besides, been to benning last tour. Didnt need it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 11:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 11:25:03 -0400

With how long your break in service is you’ll have to go through basic all over again. Anything less than three years you go straight to AIT. Anything more than three years you’re going back.