Prior service coming back in after 13 year break. What would you recommend given my background?

2015-01-04T10:32:31-05:00

I posted this as a reply in another thread, but it didn't get much traction, so I'm hoping to get more of a response by making it a stand alone question...

I'm prior Army and Navy with just under 8 years of service (I'll be 39 in February). I also have 2 Bachelors degrees (History and Anthropology) and a Masters (Higher Education Student Affairs). I'm looking to get back into the service, probably Army Reserves or National Guard, by the end of the year, after a 13 year break in service, with a unit in or near the San Antonio, Texas area. The prior-service Army recruiter that I spoke to told me that even though I have my Masters, he couldn't recruit me into an officer ascension program and that I'd have to enlist first.

The advice I'm seeking is about enlisted MOS in addition to officer branch. If I HAVE to re-enlist before submitting my officer packet, I want to be in an MOS that I can live with and that will help me with employment in the civilian sector IF my officer packet gets denied (due to age and/or my tattoos). If I can get accepted for officer ascension, I'd like to be in a career field with halfway decent career mobility. I'd also eventually like to AGR.

On the enlisted side, I'm partial to 68W due to length of AIT (to help me re-acclimate to service life) and learning a new skill set, but I could do 42A because my experience is closely related and I could submit my packet sooner. On the officer side, I was looking at Medical Service Corps (67O Health Administration Services) or Adjutant General (42BO Human Resources Officer). I'm also interested in Civil Affairs, either officer or enlisted, unless you HAVE to go Airborne, because I'm deathly afraid of heights, lol.

Also, I have military-themed half-sleeves on both forearms which I have been informed I can get a waiver for.

For those of you in the know, giving your professional opinion, what seems like it might be my best route?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-01-04T10:59:03-05:00

Mike,
First and foremost, don't enlist. You will be stuck in an enlistment, and package or no package, you'll have to finish out your enlistment obligation first. I would speak to other service branches before making any commitments, to see what options are available.

I was active duty Navy as an MR from 1992-1997, and, in 2012 put in an officer package for Navy Reserves as a Nurse. Then about a year ago, I started putting together a package for active duty Air Force, as an Operating Room Nurse. I'll be doing my Air Force commissioning next week, and I'm 44 years old. Returning to active duty was my original goal, the Navy told me I was too old for active duty, which is why I went Reserves with them and am now going to AD Air Force.

With your education, you should easily be eligible for a commission. I would shop around with the other branches, they have a lot to offer regardless of the current economy. As far as the sleeves go... waivers are given for lots of things, and I know several folks in my unit that have sleeves.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Rick

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-01-04T10:57:55-05:00

Dont take stuff too personal, i can imagine that can get some getting use too after 13 years.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 4 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-01-04T12:17:32-05:00

Don't rule out the AF side of the house, we are drawing down, but generally have a huge need for medical officers.

Response by SSG Joe Ann Bess made Oct 15 at 2015 8:04 PM

2015-10-15T20:04:54-04:00

Hey I got out in 1992 and came back and finished in 2014 and now it's done. 21 yrs service. Never give up. Never.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-12-29T16:09:24-05:00

Your situation is entirely different than mine, but for what it's worth, and by now you are surely well into whatever became of your plan, I got out for 10.25 years. Came back AF Reserve and absolutely love it. Learned my civ skill on the outside. Use it to live by. Came back in to a completely different skill for a unique experience. Now I have 2 lives.

You probably know that AGR is the way to go if you are close to age limit for commissioning. That have better waivers. Had a guy passed the 40 yr waiver for AD. Went AGR, got his commission, then transferred back to AD.

Anyway, encouragement more than anything, really. Nothing technical here to help you. Good luck, bro.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 12:05 AM

2017-04-26T00:05:43-04:00

I would find an ROTC recruiter and see what their advice is as well as checking online about how to enlist as an officer. Look into the warrant officer program too. Their recruiting people for that program very heavily at the moment

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:03 PM

2018-03-03T17:03:10-05:00

Try to elaborate, on any other technical background you have, there's the new Army direct commission cyber program, howeve, it'd depend on if you've got exposure or background. Also, you could try for a warrant soot, maybe, though I don't kmow what MOS you'd want. Further, have you got any clinical exposure of any kind, even in health or clinical admin? Inonoymaskmas tuenUSPHS Commioned Corps has higher age limits, one doesn't necessarily have ti be purely clinical o'er se, they do use admims, in med record mgmt, really do a detailed bio, hobbies, reading, interests, other degrees you'd be willing to go for, incl any PhD, iim not saying that in the sense that it solves your immediate problem, however, it'd give all of us a more complete idea. Further, I'd look seriously at USCG, they have a direct commissioning program, I've seen NATO on it, and given youre prior Navy, you might at least ask. You've got an interesting scenario, I'd be Kore than willing to try to offer ideas, just try to give us a good deal more info. Also, I know you might not want this, i realize why, I think, however, there's always the state defense force (SDF) stuff, I know TX has an SDF, if seen their site, and also seen it on the SGAUS site. I'm not saying that in the sense you'd want it, merely that, having been Army andnNavynyou could certainly he of use to them, I should think. Further, and I know once again this might not he preferable, however, the USCG Auxiliary offers a masters, I've seen it listed, I've been eager to join, it's just that my disability stuff keeps getting in the way, there:s also Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Are you private pilot at all? Just wondered...lemme give your problem some thought, I'd really like to suggest other approaches, also, might USMC age waiver you given your prior exposure at all. And, could you also maybendo USAFR or Army or Air Natl Guard? I kmow you'd suggested AGR, there's always Tue Guard or Reserve Tech program as well, just a thought, ofmxiurse pet me kmow your thoughts, I'd he most eager to hear more, if you could elaborate. Then, too, and I know this isntnwhatnyou want, had you thought to do instructor sstuff for JROTC, CAP, or NavymSea Cadets, as well, for their cadet/midshipman programs? I'm just offering those thingsnas ideas, honest, I know it's not like heing in full time,mi get that, I'm just throwing out ideas as they occur to me, please realize that, I hope that was of ise and.or interest, many thanks.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:05 PM

2018-03-03T17:05:24-05:00

Also, you list machinists mate, in assuming by hat was navy, what was your Army MOS? I'm just trying to permute possibilities, that's all, please understand, onoy to try to help.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:09 PM

2018-03-03T17:09:27-05:00

https://www.usphs.gov/profession/healthservices/healtheducation/

Purely as a thought, you might want to call USPHS and at least just ask, they've got a toll free line, it's just a phone call, and they're active duty, just pike any other service, I know you might not have thought that way, however, you might at least just try, you kmow?

Public Health Administration, Public Health Education Jobs at USPHS Commissioned Corps

USPHS Commissioned Corps public health education careers. Public health administration jobs.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:13 PM

2018-03-03T17:13:12-05:00

http://www.seafarers.org/paulhallcenter/phc.asp

I'm not saying you want this, however, I've known of instances where prior Navy guys go this route, then try to get on board Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessels as Merchant Marine enlisted, them train for 3rd Engineer or 3rd Mate, and go up from there, my next younger brother was USMMA Kings Pint, wiphich is why I kmow about such things....

phc.asp

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:15 PM

2018-03-03T17:15:08-05:00

And just out of curiosity, how well trained were you as a machinist's Kate? How far did you go in your training? Could you go further? Could you revive it or somehow use that? Once again, not that you want to, however, just a thought....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:17 PM

2018-03-03T17:17:05-05:00

https://tmd.texas.gov/state-guard

The TX SDF is listed on this page....

state-guard

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:19 PM

2018-03-03T17:19:01-05:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_State_Guard

Here's the TX SDF Wikipedia page, please realize, I only suggest it as a possibility, you should clearly ne of use to them, I would think, you kmow? I'd wanted to do the NY one here, the NU Guard, however, once again, the disability thing constantly gets in my way, you kmow?

Texas State Guard - Wikipedia

The Texas State Guard (TXSG) is the State Defense Force of Texas, and is one of three branches of the Texas Military Forces. Along with the other two branches, the TXSG falls under the command of the Governor of Texas and is administered by the Texas Adjutant General, an appointee of the Governor. The other two branches of the Texas Military Forces are the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:22 PM

2018-03-03T17:22:37-05:00

http://www.army-portal.com/jobs/ordnance/914a.html

This might interest you, there is evidently an Army MOS for warrant officers with machinist backgrounds, wit your double bachelors and you !asters, as well as your Navy machinist exposure, I should think you'd ne a natural fitz you can alwaysmsubmit a packet, you ought to be waiverable on age up to the limit of your total active duty time, you know? Worth a try, I'd thought....

Army-Portal.com - Army Jobs - MOS 914A Allied Trades Warrant Officer

Allied Trades Warrant Officer (MOS 914A) duty description, qualifications, and requirements.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:25 PM

2018-03-03T17:25:59-05:00

https://www.nationalguard.com/914a-allied-trades-warrant-officer

Imactualpy think this could be exactly what you'd be suited for, possibly....

914A Allied Trades Warrant Officer | National Guard

914A Allied Trades Warrant Officer. Setup, operation, maintenance of equipment used to fabricate, repair parts, mechanisms, tools, machinery.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:26 PM

2018-03-03T17:26:48-05:00

http://www.mosdb.com/army/914A/mos/4484/

Here's more on the same....

Army MOS 914A | MOSDb

Describes job duties for Army MOS 914A Allied Trades Warrant Officer.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:28 PM

2018-03-03T17:28:04-05:00

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2016/03/13/warrants-wanted-army-guard-offers-big-bonuses-to-qualified-troops/

Read this....

Warrants wanted: Army Guard offers big bonuses to qualified troops

The Army National Guard is offering up to $20K to qualified candidates as it struggles to fill its warrant ranks.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:31 PM

2018-03-03T17:31:03-05:00

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2016/02/15/warrants-wanted-national-guard-army-reserve-offer-big-bonuses/

And this...you'll also note that the guy in the photo is at the helm ofmam Armynship, which might get your gears turning, Army, I've read, , is always searching for ship qualified personnel, esp in acorps of Engineers, esp for waterways reconstruction and/,or maintenance, that could nema really good fusion of your backgrounds, you know?

Warrants wanted: National Guard, Army Reserve offer big bonuses

The Army National Guard and Army Reserve are looking for qualified soldiers who want to become warrant officers.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:33 PM

2018-03-03T17:33:19-05:00

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/02/05/sea-duty-shortages-why-the-navy-is-offering-rare-extensions-for-thousands-of-first-term-sailors/

Look at this also....

Sea duty shortages: Why the Navy is offering rare extensions for thousands of first-term sailors

Navy officials are asking roughly 6,000 first-term sailors to extend their enlistments at sea in an effort to stave off a looming manpower shortage that will begin to hit the fleet this year.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:35 PM

2018-03-03T17:35:07-05:00

https://www.indeed.com/m/jobs?q=Army+Corps+of+Engineers

Read this...?

Army Corps of Engineers Jobs, Employment | Indeed Mobile

662 Army Corps of Engineers jobs available on Indeed.com. Quality Control Manager, Sales Representative, Oracle Developer and more!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:38 PM

2018-03-03T17:38:23-05:00

https://www.glassdoor.com/Jobs/US-Army-Corps-of-Engineers-boat-captain-Jobs-EI_IE41319.0,26_KO27,39.htm

This is what I was referring to ...

Page Not Found | Glassdoor

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:42 PM

2018-03-03T17:42:27-05:00

https://federalnewsradio.com/air-force/2017/08/air-force-taking-measures-to-keep-much-needed-senior-ncos-in-the-military/

You might try for this, being a double prior with three degrees, you might qualify for higherNCO level, I'm saying MSgt, S!Sgt, or CMSgt, eventually, you've got more than sufficient higher ed, God knows...

Air Force takes steps to keep much-needed senior NCOs

The Air Force is once again implementing new personnel measures to retain and recruit airmen in critically needed positions.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:44 PM

2018-03-03T17:44:06-05:00

My point is this, between you being prior Navy and Army, I think at!y warrant for !machinist could he good. O think Army Corps of Engineers on shipboard could also ne good. And, I think that senior NCO in !machinist related fields in amu SVC could ne good, give me your thoughts, I'd ne eager to kmow what you think, if I find more, IPP try to send it, as well, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:44 PM

2018-03-03T17:44:35-05:00

However, I still think USPHS admin officer wouldn't ne an impossibility, you kmow?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:47 PM

2018-03-03T17:47:01-05:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_of_the_United_States_Army

Look through this, there's historical matl, however, also more current !ATP as well....

List of ships of the United States Army - Wikipedia

During World War II the U.S. Army operated approximately 127,800 watercraft of various types[1] Those included large troop and cargo transport ships that were Army-owned hulls, vessels allocated by the War Shipping Administration, bareboat charters and time charters. In addition to the transports the Army fleet included specialized types. Those, included vessels not related to transport such as mine vessels and waterway or port maintenance...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:50 PM

2018-03-03T17:50:44-05:00

https://youtu.be/7SFEHNzj9Bs

Look up Army Corps of Engineers surveying and dredging vessels on YouTube there's a lot of hits, trust me...

Army Corps Of Engineers Welcomes New Survey Vessel Home

Alex DeMetrick

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:52 PM

2018-03-03T17:52:37-05:00

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/army-civilian-careers.html

This could be a really good possibility for you, you might find a way to bridge back to the uniformed side, that's all I'm saying....

Army Civilian Careers

More than 330,000 men and women, working in a wide variety of careers, serve the nation through Army Civilian Service.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 3 at 2018 5:54 PM

2018-03-03T17:54:16-05:00

https://youtu.be/9_LrM8w3NnQ

I'd seen this, it might give you the best of both world's, I !erepy offer it as a thought, watch it, I thuimk you'd find it of interest, honest....

Deploy as a USACE Civilian!

MG Todd Semonite encourages USACE civilians to volunteer for Overseas Contingency Operations with the Corps of Engineers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2018 7:14 PM

2018-03-03T19:14:39-05:00

Go Warrant Officer since I believe 46 is the cutoff age. Stay on top in the p.t. It helped me all through my career and I started at age 31 enlisted and age 34 as a commissioned Officer. If you go enlisted and desire civil affairs or warrant, go Army Reserve. I did enlisted MP first. You will start at least as an E-4 specialist if you go enlisted. If you make warrant, the remainder of your enlisted time will still be owed as a warrant (my remaining 5 years was tacked to my initial 6 years enlistment with 2 years in the IRR). Met many NCOs who had Masters or Bachelors Degree. Follow your dreams!!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2018 7:20 PM

2018-03-03T19:20:46-05:00

Is Officer age cutoff 35 or 39?

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 3 at 2018 9:03 PM

2018-03-03T21:03:22-05:00

I wish I could remember all the details, but I had broken service DIVO that worked for me. The only recommendation was to keep hounding the Officer recruiters. Check the other services, too, AF is really looking for people right now. With all of the education and years accumulated, plus the hurting for bodies, it should work out.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 3 at 2018 9:06 PM

2018-03-03T21:06:55-05:00

Checking to see how this worked out for you one way or the other?

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 3 at 2018 11:19 PM

2018-03-03T23:19:28-05:00

Military Intelligence would be a good branch...especially living in San Antonio, TX. Have you also looked at civil service jobs? Pathway Intern Programs? The Intelligence Intern program was two years long with good promotions from GS-07 to GS-11 in 2 years. Lots of opportunities.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 4 at 2018 3:08 AM

2018-03-04T03:08:34-05:00

I spent 8 years on active duty and after an 8 year break in service went back into USAF uniform. I had to take all the steps to come back a new recruit as to Physical exam, Testing etc. but came back in at the same rank which was SSgt and AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code) and seven (Supervisor's) skill level as I left with. The only thing I lost was My time in grade as it had gone too many years. From starting over again as a SSgt in the next 14 years advanced from that to SMSgt a grade I held for a few years, and retired with 22 years in uniform.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 4 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-03-04T12:41:49-05:00

Basing this answer on my daughter's experience. She served 10 years in the Air Guard. When she graduated from Nursing School with a BSN, she left her Guard unit and did a couple of years in the IRR to complete her enlistment (12 "good years" total). About 10 years later, she recognized the benefits of being retired military, so she looked around for a position as a nurse. In those intervening years she had completed her MSN and become a nurse practitioner. She talked to the Navy, Army, and Air Force medical recruiters. She went with the Navy Reserve because they gave her the best accession date, credit for pay for all her previous enlisted time, and the best nursing job. She came aboard as a LT (O-3) and was promoted to LCDR after about three years. Navy medical "OCS" was about three weeks. She completed a tour as a detachment commander and she's now on a headquarters staff. She will come up for CDR about the same time she makes her 20.

My recommendation is to talk with Active, Reserve, and Guard recruiters for all services. Of course only Army and Air Force have Guard units, but all 5 armed services have reserve units. They are all limited by age restrictions, which can be waived, and physical requirements--harder to get waived. The services and their components may offer variable credit for your enlisted service and variable choices for you obtaining a commission. Normally you'll have to complete OCS/OTS, but a direct commission may be possible. DO NOT enlist. If you have to wait a year or more to get an officer slot, do it. The difference in retirement pay alone makes waiting for an officer position well worth your while. Retired pay as an O-4 is way ahead of retired pay as an E-6.

MOS/AFSC is a secondary consideration. Know what your would like to do and what you definitely don't want to do, but remain flexible. You should know your strengths and weaknesses, so get into a specialty that will play to your strengths. Coming aboard as an officer means you're expected to be more of a generalist than when you were enlisted. You may have to take a job in an MOS/AFSC that you never considered, but the Service needs to fill. Sometimes it an adventure.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2020 7:33 PM

2020-05-27T19:33:57-04:00

You can try a direct commission with the reserves. Not buying what he said about the guard.