Re-Enlisting as Prior Service

2013-10-20T15:03:48-04:00

I served in the Army National Guard for 9 years. I understand the military is downsizing, but even before the downsizing started, I tried to re-enlist into the military. I tried the Army, Air Force, and Navy. I was 31B Military Police and I offered to change MOS's just to get back in. I want to get back in but the recruiters refuse to help.

Response by Sgt Frank Martin made Oct 21 at 2013 6:57 PM

2013-10-21T18:57:20-04:00

I know it was a different time frame, but I served 4 years active Navy, 2 years active Navy reserves, and 4 year active Marines. I, at no time, had any problems getting back in. Going from active Navy to Navy reserves was no issue at all, however, going from Navy to Marines I had to lose two ranks. I know there is a big downsizing going on, but they are still recruiting people into the military. Maybe it has to do with you being an E-4. Maybe you need to try a different recruiter at a different recruiting station. I don't know what else to tell you. Sorry I couldn't be more help...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 21 at 2013 7:34 PM

2013-10-21T19:34:08-04:00

Corbin, thanks for the question here. Your timing on wanting to re-enlist could make this a difficult challenge for you, though nothing is impossible. I don't have the best answer for you, but I would recommend you connect with a RallyPoint member named MSG(P) Matthew Quick. You can tell him that I referred you to him. I can't think of a better person to help you think through this situation. He is incredibly genuine and knowledgeable. Hope this helps! Here is the link to MSG(P) Quick's profile.https://www.rallypoint.com/profiles/26105-msg-p-matthew-quick<div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.rallypoint.com/profiles/26105-msg-p-matthew-quick">MSG(P) Matthew Quick at A Co, USASMA Military Profile | RallyPoint</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">View the full military profile of MSG(P) Matthew Quick, Student at A Co, USASMA | Fort Bliss, TX | RallyPoint professional military profile.</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2013 12:19 AM

2013-10-26T00:19:56-04:00

Have you tried your career counselor?

Response by SPC Gary Basom made Nov 16 at 2013 2:05 PM

2013-11-16T14:05:19-05:00

<p>I found in history that downsizing of our military has ended up with us being attacked</p><p>because an aggressor has always attempted to take advantage of our weak military.</p><p>We must never forget history because it will always tend to repeat itself sooner or later and the country will surely need it's veteran warriors back.</p>

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 18 at 2014 2:36 PM

2014-05-18T14:36:42-04:00

Your RE-1 Code makes you eligible for reentry. Now you just need to see if the other branches will take prior service at the time. I say you have a fair chance but keep in mind the military is downsizing too. I hope you make it back on the team somewhere.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2014 10:11 PM

2014-05-18T22:11:11-04:00

With an RE1 code, you can come back. But each branch has a prior service rule we have to follow. Like for the Army, if you're looking to go back to Active, you have limited MOSs you can go back to. For Reserve, it all depends on the vacancy in the unit you're trying to get into. Talk to your local recruiter. Good luck!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-08-24T16:21:10-04:00

I had an almost 10 year break from the Air Guard and now getting into the Army Guard. The only issue I faced was the Air Guard unit I was in never cut me a reenlistment code, as in never submitted the NGB 22 long form. It took over a year to get that sorted out but my recruiters kept in touch and helped along the way. The only thing I have to do now is do BCT.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-12-29T16:16:02-05:00

Well, your post is 2yo. Not sure where you are now, but I was in AD AF 10 years. Got out for 10.25, then got back in a different "MOS." (AFSC for Air Force). I'm now a flier in the Reserves. I absolutely love it. I started by walking in the door of the unit I wanted to join. I asked them for a few minutes, and asked about the opportunity. They set up an interview with 4 members. I went back to a recruiter and got back in. It actually took 2 years, in part because of the slot opening, as well as VA red tape getting a hold of my medical records. So happy that I did.

So where are you now? did you make it back in?

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 4:37 PM

2016-04-29T16:37:38-04:00

I have a friend that went from the Reserves to AD. It's possible. Maybe you need to see a recruiter who really wants to help you get back in.

Response by SN Kevin Neff made Aug 3 at 2016 7:06 AM

2016-08-03T07:06:02-04:00

This was 3 years ago. Have you tried lately? I know the AF is trying to bolster their numbers by the end of the year so you have a chance. I'm trying to re-enlist too.

Response by SSG Robert Albright made Aug 10 at 2016 10:51 PM

2016-08-10T22:51:37-04:00

Recruiters can be a royal pain, if they don't get the same credit for you as non-prior service a lot of them have an attitude and don't want to do the paperwork. I went active twice from the guard. The first time was in 85 and it wasn't too bad, guess the guy didn't mind helping me out. Went to MEPS signed the papers ect. Second time was a pain in the ass; despite the fact that I was coming off deployment and the army had a program to make it easy for guys like me to switch back, none of the recruiters knew anything about it and kept giving me a run around. When I finally got my hands on a copy of the recruitment guidelines they were falling over themselves to help me out; regs stated they got the same credit for me as a normal recruit. That was in 2008. If you make it back, expect to get treated like shit at MEPS. I had been back from deployment for less than a month and seriously thought I wasn't going to get out of there without knocking one of those REMFs out. They assume everyone is a raw recruit cause you are only allowed to wear civilian clothes.

Response by MSgt Robert DiFilippo made Apr 8 at 2017 10:19 AM

2017-04-08T10:19:52-04:00

Yes recruiters do not want to help prior military or members get on to active duty. This is because they do not get credit for enlisting you as they would a non prior member. They do not want to do the extra paperwork. You need to shop around for a recruiter willing to help you. That is what I had to do. You end up getting not the best of assignments either.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 10:08 AM

2018-02-01T10:08:08-05:00

Army Guard should take you no problem. Just depends where you are.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Oct 17 at 2019 10:34 AM

2019-10-17T10:34:09-04:00

Corbin ~. Are you discharged or in the IRR until enlistment time terminates. Contact Army Recruiting Station for assistance at the beginning of the month.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Oct 17 at 2019 10:36 AM

2019-10-17T10:36:16-04:00

There are no RE codes from any Reserve Component. Unless they changed the reg/policy.