Should I reenlist in the navy or transition to the army?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 17:07:19 -0500

The only reason I am thinking about it is because it seems like it's less politics when it comes to advancing in the army. Though, I only have two years left. I am an active duty E4 corpsman/PMT (8 years of service at the end of this contract). The recruiter said the army would take me. But I dont know if ~16 months is long enough to advance from e4-e5. Anyone have advice?

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 5:21 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 17:21:07 -0500

I know we all say “choose your rate, choose your fate”. Have you tried rate conversion? My rating had good advancement as long as your willing to put in the hard work. HM’s have been locked up for a while. However, if you want to stay in the medical field, you might fare better on the green side.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 8:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:37:57 -0500

Another one for my favorite career counselor! Spit some knowledge SFC Private RallyPoint Member !

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 8:41 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:41:04 -0500

So I think you, me and 4k+ other HM3s are in the similar boat. I am actually on terminal leave right now and I just got a job that is paying me 66k right outside the gate. Here are my analysis:
1. Given the trend over the past couple years, and I have been keep track of the FMS, the community manager, the total workforce and where I hear what command are short and in demanding and the NEC manning snapshot. As you know DHA is what we are heading toward, so a lot of people are getting dual platform order, they are cutting it huge. More quotas are pushing toward MAPS and I personally don't believe in MAPS, I believe in hardworking, technical savvy, knowledgeable and academically proven, I scored consistently 70s but given 1% chance of the largest E4 community in the enlist rating, there is just no chance it would bounce back. I don't know how you are with studying but I have a bachelor so studying is definitely not an issue for me. With IRAN and depend on what happening after November, I would say that quotas might be bouncing back but I bet, if it does increase will be no more than 5%. This is assuming your eval is EP. I had 1 award point. Like CPO Private RallyPoint Member said, IDC might be the route to go to get to 2nd class faster. Be realistic, don't let someone dictate your level of successfulness, so for me that means I want to know my effort is paid off, and 16 months with 1% chance, I wouldn't bet on it from business perspective.

2. Do you have anything you can transition directly into the civilian? I am L17A, and I have a license, currently working on next license. If you have always been a Zero and nothing else, you need to look into Navy Cool now within the next 2 years. Do you have a family? Even single as I am with a mortgage, I am still considering reserve to have that Tricare Prime at a discounted rate. $50 is not bad comparing to about 120 im about to pay. Last time I talked to my CCC, my SELRES quota was denied, HM has no quota. So I applied for conversion, it was IT, that got denied and now they said all I have is HT. I respect their work my time on the ship, but I will not be an HT even if that is as RSV. You have 2 years left, just think about that HYT severance pay. I had 3 left, but I didn't want to waste time, im 34 and I wanted to be 2nd class already to commission and build my professional career. You can decide if you want to be a 3rd for next 2 years just for couple $k or like me, now I will be working at a Trauma One with Research and Education, while pursuing my Master. Now, once you make that 10 years mark, there is no looking back, you need to push last 10. So ultimately, it is now or never.

3. Schooling, have you touched your GI Bill? Because I got my bachelor without touching a single dime. If you can, reenlist for that TA but know that TA has been cut back a lot so you will need to flex your muscles looking for money like FAFSA and other grants. Also, you need to go to TAPS now, even if you have 16 months left. What you learn in TAPS, I wish I knew 24 months before I separated. There are things you need to prep way ahead of time. Some schooling and skill bridge programs are great but given time line, it is not possible for me and not worthwhile either but for you, now is the time.

We not that fresh into the Navy, and we know how to succeed in the Navy as a 7-8 years experience. I know I can be an exceptional LPO, I know you know better than average E5 in 100% rating who has less than 3 years of active duty service. We know how to take advantage of the Navy and we appreciate the Navy. I love the Navy and I wanted to stay. I just can't do with 1% chance, and not as 8-10 years E4 when there are E5 less than 3 years in who has no idea just how many doors have opened for them as a PO2. So think, how valuable is time to you? You know the answer for mine.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Feb 7 at 2020 8:53 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:53:07 -0500

Senior life is better in the Navy hands down and a few years back I considered switching. The Army is likely bigger which means more options, better profiles (for when you get old) but in many places, an E5 does not get treated much better than the E3. Officers are not treated any different than senior enlisted, sometimes worse depending on your rate (MOS), and it something you should think about long and hard. Honestly if you are thinking about changing situations, go to college and come back commissioned. I had more fun enlisted but my retirement pay will be so much better.

Response by MSG Glen Miller made Feb 7 at 2020 9:54 PM

MSG Glen Miller — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 21:54:46 -0500

Andrew, in your situation there are many things to consider. One thing to remember is the grass is not always greener on the other site. I would say take Maj anonymous suggestion and become an officer, retire honorably and get a good retirement. I didn’t take that recommendation but wish I had. Anyway, that’s water under the bridge. I stayed enlisted but the second best thing, besides becoming an officer was volunteering for Special Forces. You’re pretty much independent from the big green machine and get to do some fun things. Medics are always short and needed in SF so promotions are not bad. Of course you can get out and become a contractor making good money. But what when you become a pensioner and have to live on social security. Believe me, you will not save much contracting, your wife will find ways to spend what you make.
I hope the input from my experience will make it easier for you to make your own decision.
God bless.

Response by CPL Justin Higgins made Feb 8 at 2020 2:18 AM

CPL Justin Higgins — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 02:18:41 -0500

In my opinion, if you can stay in the Navy you should. I’ve known several sailors who made the switch from Navy to Army. They all had the opinion that their worst day in the Navy was better then their best day in the Army. The Army can be a harsh place to be at times and it’s not for everyone. Stating the obvious it’s a war fighting organization. Not always a lot of fun and it’s not intended to be. However if becoming a soldier is important to you and you are willing to perform selfless service for your nation then you should go for it. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 12:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 12:25:37 -0500

As an E4 in the Army our RCP /HYT is 8 years. So, you'll need an exception to policy to come in. The Army generally will not enlist you for anything less than 3 years which is plenty of time to promote. They also will place you into one of our critically short MOS's which will promote faster than other ones. Politics can become a factor to a degree, but that's something that effects senior NOCs and officers more because they have to compete for positions that are more likely to get them promoted. Our E5 and E6 promotions are fairly simple. You present yourself before a board of your senior NCOs and they say yay or nay. Then you compete amongst every other E4 in the Army with your MOS by earning promotion points. Those are based off of schools, awards, PT, shooting, civilian and military education. That creates an OML. Once a month the Army decides they need x amount of your MOS, they look at the OML, and determine the score they have to select to promote that many. There's no politics, it's handled by the Army and not any particular leader, and it's on you to raise your points. The Army is very much about rewarding self motivation.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 8 at 2020 10:12 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:12:44 -0500

Stick with the Navy. I love the Army, but this is my home. You have the Navy thing as most familiar. Sometimes the grass is greener at a distance because you are looking at a different angle than where you are standing. Stick with what you know unless you have a burning desire to go Army for other reasons.

Response by CPO William Slifko made Feb 10 at 2020 8:45 AM

CPO William Slifko — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 08:45:37 -0500

Have you given thought to going FMF? Corpsmen who have that in their records typically advanced fairly quickly. Then again, I've been retired for over 20 years so I may be wrong.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2020 1:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 13:37:42 -0500

Army

Response by PO3 Jerry Armstrong made Feb 11 at 2020 5:11 PM

PO3 Jerry Armstrong — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:11:03 -0500

Stay Navy

Response by PO1 J. David Stephenson made Feb 18 at 2020 4:22 PM

PO1 J. David Stephenson — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 16:22:10 -0500

Only if you cannot advance to HM2 and be within reach of advancing to E-6. Fortunately, I was an HM1 after 5 years and a few months of active duty at the age of 22. Personally I believe it was because of Vietnam that made ranking easier as many Corpsmen were dying. But, that is only my opinion. I was honorably discharged in’72 on a medical, but I do miss the experience because nothing since then Has compared to my two TODs in Vietnam.

Response by PO2 Mary-Catherine Gomez made Feb 18 at 2020 9:46 PM

PO2 Mary-Catherine Gomez — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 21:46:59 -0500

I think you can advance fine in the Navy. How long have you served already?

Response by PO3 Douglas Lehman made Feb 23 at 2020 9:12 PM

PO3 Douglas Lehman — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 21:12:31 -0500

Andrew this falls into the category of for what’s its worth. Many have posted about the Grass Being Greener, or not in some cases. I got out as an HM3 because I was told I would be obligated to 4 years sea duty and once I was advised I would not be re-enlisting my E5 promotion was withheld for separation considerations. After I got out out, I was confused as I have heard many are and couldn’t initially adjust and even considered re-enlisting into the Marine Corps. Thanks to a heart to heart from a retired Master Chief, my course was set on a different path. 32 years in the automobile business and currently working at the Automotive Corporate level and I couldn’t be happier. Set your own course, prepare for course correction but have a definitive destination as your goal. Lots of great advice in this post but just follow your heart.

Response by LT Carl Bogen made Mar 7 at 2020 12:03 PM

LT Carl Bogen — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 12:03:41 -0500

Have you tried the Coast Guard Reserve? I spent almost 40 years in the reserve. Went fr ok m E1 to E9, then W2 To W4, and retired as a O3. If you want a service that gives you the best shot and advancement look into the Coast Guard Reserve.

Response by PO3 Duane Bue made Mar 29 at 2020 4:04 PM

PO3 Duane Bue — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 16:04:02 -0400

Stay in the USN... it’s the best & most respected of all

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made May 6 at 2020 7:15 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Wed, 06 May 2020 19:15:42 -0400

Definitely transition to the Army. You are land-based, have places to go in your off-time and even better: When fired upon, you can shoot back! In the Navy, if someone torpedoes your frigate, you are now in the water, unarmed, with sharks, drifting through sharp, hot objects and oil so you can't even smoke as you are bobbing in the water in your skivvies. And you never got past your seasickness either as you are floating in your life jacket. In the Army even the cooks and supply and maintenance guys have M-4s and pistols that are sighted to their eyes and ready to fire.

Response by PO3 Tommy Bolton made Nov 7 at 2020 7:14 PM

PO3 Tommy Bolton — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 19:14:22 -0500

After being out nearly fifty years, there is hardly a week that goes by that I don't wish I had stayed in. After Vietnam, and having one daughter about a year old, it did not seem that important or necessary that I stay. Of course, with my training (at the time), it was not hard to get related jobs, once I was stateside. I was offered E-5 to re-up but the pay wasn't that great, and I was simply tired of crossing the Pacific (duty station in Japan, prior to Vietnam). It is truly a conundrum and deserves a lot of soul searching and thought. Stay with the Navy would be my advise, you will be safer and like the recruiters say, "see the world!".

Response by SR Kenneth Beck made Jan 31 at 2021 11:39 AM

SR Kenneth Beck — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 11:39:23 -0500

Do you want an unbiased opinion? Sorry I can’t give you one.

Response by CPO Nate S. made Feb 2 at 2021 8:32 PM

CPO Nate S. — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 20:32:47 -0500

So, what did you do 12 months on?

Response by SSG Robert Velasco made Mar 1 at 2021 12:35 PM

SSG Robert Velasco — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:35:48 -0500

I would have liked to have enlisted in each branch of the military one after the other, but it was a dream! Hope you follow your dreams!