Posted on Jan 4, 2015
Prior service coming back in after 13 year break. What would you recommend given my background?
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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?
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?
Prior Service
Re-enlistment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 36
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Dont take stuff too personal, i can imagine that can get some getting use too after 13 years.
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You can try a direct commission with the reserves. Not buying what he said about the guard.
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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.
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PO3 (Join to see)
SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint, I hadn't heard about some of these programs. I'll have to check into them!
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LTC (Join to see)
https://www.thebalance.com/maximum-age-to-become-officer-in-military-3354085
Just realized this story is 3 years old but at least it will help others!!
Just realized this story is 3 years old but at least it will help others!!
What Is The Maximum Age to Become A Military Officer?
What is the maximum age to become an officer in the Military? You may be able to make to cut. Find out how.
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Army Corps Of Engineers Welcomes New Survey Vessel Home
Alex DeMetrick
https://youtu.be/7SFEHNzj9Bs
Look up Army Corps of Engineers surveying and dredging vessels on YouTube there's a lot of hits, trust me...
Look up Army Corps of Engineers surveying and dredging vessels on YouTube there's a lot of hits, trust me...
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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....
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...
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However, I still think USPHS admin officer wouldn't ne an impossibility, you kmow?
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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?
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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...
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.
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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 ...
This is what I was referring to ...
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