What are the hoops I have to go through to go back Active Duty?

2020-01-23T18:45:11-05:00

I'm mainly confused about medical and if I'd have to go through again:
I spent six years Active and chose to go Reserves. A year and half later I'm wanting the Active lifestyle back. What are the steps in a nutshell? See a recruiter.. DD368 (wait for approval) .. Pick an MOS IAW Prior Service Business Rules.. But what about the rest? Medical/moral waivers for anything that occured while Active Duty? Medical all over again? I have no break in service, Honorable Separation with RE Code 1 (from RA), SPD Code is MBK, MEDPROS/Readiness all green and 1's, current secret clearance... Am I missing anything?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 6:56 PM

2020-01-23T18:56:00-05:00

Go talk to her recruiter the longer you wait the longer everything's going to take in the hire of a chance they got a closing categories.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 6:56 PM

2020-01-23T18:56:03-05:00

I went through the same process years ago. It’s a fairly simple process. You would get the 368 and go see the recruiter and then from there it’s the entire process of meps all over again. When I went through they told me I couldn’t change jobs because I was already airborne and MOSQ. The prior service business rules applied and that’s what kept me in my job. It’s a fairly simple process as long as you get a recruiter who wants to work with you. Prior service people don’t get as much of a priority as initial entry soldiers so I strongly recommend staying on top of things and constantly keeping in touch. Took me almost a year to get back in the active duty side! Best of luck.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 23 at 2020 7:32 PM

2020-01-23T19:32:17-05:00

You have all of the answers for your question. Just need to go and see a recruiter to get the ball rolling!

Good luck on your coming back!

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 23 at 2020 7:55 PM

2020-01-23T19:55:38-05:00

When you go to MEPS and are looking at MOSs, don't bite on what they offer you unless you really want to do it. Twenty-three years ago I was medic in the NG and really wanted AD as a medic. They told me they did not have it and I bit on what they had. Went commo and hated it only to find out someone did the same thing as me two weeks later and got 91B. I wanted AD so bad that I made a poor decision.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 8:06 PM

2020-01-23T20:06:06-05:00

In regards to going back through medical at MEPS, I just had to get a memo from my commander verifying that I had 1s across the board in PULHES. If you have a copy of your most recent PHA, that will suffice as well. I didn’t have to go through any of the medical stuff while at MEPS. In regards to the entire release process, mine took about 7 months from the time I went to the AD recruiter for the DD368 to the time it was approved by the CG. I went to my recruiter immediately after it’d been approved and went to MEPS the following week. While at MEPS, the career counselor verified my rank and MOS and found me a slot. I was told that the vast majority of prior service applicants are being sent to either Hood or Riley. I got Riley. I was given a “ship date” and reported back to MEPS about a month later to sign my new contract and swear in. I was then able to drive from MEPS to Fort Riley. The worst part of the process is waiting for the approval from the CG. After that, it was relatively smooth. I hope that somewhat helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 23 at 2020 9:19 PM

2020-01-23T21:19:18-05:00

The process has changed over the years. First stop should be going to see a recruiter. They will be able to tell you exactly what is needed.

From my experience the recruiter filed the paperwork, I went in, sat down briefly with my reserve command and they signed off, then I was back to the recruiter and then off to MEPS where it was a complete new medical. Luckily most of the other is already done and in the system, But you go in, cough, turn your head, walk barefoot, breathe, take x-rays and the whole shebang. Seemed to almost fly the second time through. Had orders cut by the end of the business day.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 9:25 PM

2020-01-23T21:25:40-05:00

I just did this, I was an AGR recruiter and worked a lot of Reserve and Guard transfers to Active and did my own packet, got out, and had my battle send it up for credit. I left AGR in November, I ship for active next week, I probably have the most current info on here.

The process:
DD 368
Your unit will need a 4187 and possibly a packet. I did a REFRAD to IRR so I skipped this step. As a recruiter I didn't need a packet, statement as to why you want to switch, or even a 4187, just the 368.
You will need a recruiter to do your 368 and build your SF 86 in the system. You'll need DD 214 and any promotion orders or 1059s for schools and promotions since you got your 214. You'll also get a list of source documents your recruiter needs, get them as soon as possible.
Make sure you are green on everything in MEDPROS. You will be a no med at MEPS. You show up, you verify all the info on your packet then book your job. However, before you go to MEPS they will have to do a Grade Determination and you will get a list of available MOSs for retrain.

This is the most important part, not everything on that list will be available so have an idea of what order you would like for them to search if you are retraining. If your current MOS is open you'll get an option to keep it or reclass. Your recruiter has no pull in this process, it's done at MEPS and is based on what is available while you are in the hot seat. My number one wasn't available, my number two required a special eye exam which they couldn't do because I was a no med, my number three required a few phone calls but I got it.

However, do it now while you can before it goes back to the old way. Your grade determination comes back with rank, MOS, and ship date before you go to MEPS. You take it or leave it and they wouldn't do another grade determination until it expired if you didn't like what you got. By that time you'd likely require a new 368 as well. Get it while they are actually taking NCOs and allowing some kind of options.

If you have everything ready for your recruiter before your 368 is signed, should it be approved, you could be looking at two to three weeks before you can get to MEPS, longer if they suddenly have a back log of grade determinations waiting. Your ship date will likely be within 30 days. They have to get you shipped out before your 368 expires which can effect training seats. I didn't have that issue, went to MEPS in November and had time to wait until now to ship so I got my number 3 choice. Standard 368 is good for 90 days. However, your approving authority puts an expiration date on it, and they can do up to 12 months. I'd request 6 months if I were you to increase your window of opportunity.

You can message me if you have any questions. Being on the recruiter and applicant sides of the rest back to back I know some things.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 10:22 PM

2020-01-23T22:22:51-05:00

The only hiccup I see you potentially having would be the shoulder issue you previously mentioned. If you are requiring a permanent profile that will exclude you from the leg tuck (which should theoretically exclude you from the dead lift and the standing power throw) you may need a waiver

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 5:25 AM

2020-01-24T05:25:12-05:00

Another method is to volunteer for a mobilization and apply to switch to active duty while on orders. My understanding is that because you're mobilized your medical is already good and they can just give you orders to your next duty station. My unit has one person putting in a request right now.