What's the best advice you'd give someone who wants to re-enter the military with a commission after a 10 year break in service?

2014-09-18T08:29:04-04:00

Prior enlisted, thinking about going back into reserves because I miss the uniform and people, and the loan repayment options aren't too bad either!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 9:03 AM

2014-09-18T09:03:45-04:00

Go to OCS and work really hard to be the best. When you go to BOLC, don't be afraid to ask questions, take copious notes, study hard and work with your classmates to get the best grades you can. When you get to your first unit as an officer, ask lots of questions, always be in the right place at the right time in the right uniform, and work really hard for the first three months at your first unit then coast off of your reputation from there. Stay on the good side of your senior rater (Battalion Commander most likely) and always do your best to back up your commander and make them look good. Give credit to subordinates as much as possible and don't worry about not getting praised for the work you do. Occasionally you'll work really hard and it seems no one noticed, but results speak loudly and you'll get what you deserve in the long run.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 18 at 2014 10:05 AM

2014-09-18T10:05:50-04:00

I see on your profile that you are a Dental student. Quite frankly, unless you were looking for tuition assistnace, I would wait until you graduate and get your license, then approach an AMEDD recruiter about a commission. You'd come back in as Dental officer at the rank of CPT.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 18 at 2014 10:14 AM

2014-09-18T10:14:04-04:00

SGT Tibbs,
[I started a longer reply, but realized that you already said reserves...]

I think it would be a great idea.

Keep in mind that there could be HUGE age, experience, and perspective gap between you and your peers. On thing that can be hard is taking advise and mentorship from your boss who is several years younger than you (it SHOULDN'T be, but experience shows that it is for lots of people). As a bonus, your age and prior service will bring you some amount of instant credibility with your NCOs and junior Enlisted.

Be realistic up front about what your goals are. Map out your preferred and alternate career paths - know what gates you'll need to hit when. If you decide you want to go for commands, make sure you are educated on the "cost to be the boss."

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Sep 18 at 2014 11:36 AM

2014-09-18T11:36:41-04:00

You've got a number of options and a number of limitations. Medical appointments (apart from MS) require specific certifications.

Dentist positions are going to be few and far between. If there isn't one in your area, APMC or IMA might be an option, but those are not the easiest positions to get.

OCS will become less of an option as you age. Direct appointment should be possible with your experience as a NCO. If you are appointed outside the medical branches, it will probably be more difficult to transition to it than accessing as medical from the beginning.

For the loan repayment, are you looking at the HPLRP or the regular SLRP?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2014 12:53 PM

2014-09-19T12:53:01-04:00

if you want to get something out of life you need to start with the military. the military will teach you how to push yourself. and you will know how to get it

Response by A1C Peter Anthony made Jan 4 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-01-04T11:53:31-05:00

Nothing wrong with that and reaping the current benefits!! Just be prepared for your military 10 years ago is not the same!!!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-01-04T12:17:12-05:00

SGT Tibbs,

I have followed a similar route as you are speaking of. I was enlisted from 92-97, got out and went to nursing school several years later. I too, missed the military ways and had an awakening regarding retirement benefits after working as a home health nurse for a couple of years. That led me to get my BSN and put in an officer package. I tried for AD Navy, as I was accustomed to the Navy, but was told I was too old and accepted a commission with the Navy Reserve. I contacted the Air Force also during this time regarding active duty, and they offered me active duty. After about a year, I put my package in with them. I'm returning to active duty with the Air Force in a few weeks, and am ready for what lies ahead.

The changes between 1997 and 2013 were quite significant to say the least, and has definitely taken some getting used to. The reserves, as someone else pointed out, involve a bit more time involvement than one might expect. It is a great experience however, and unlike active duty, most of the folks on the reserve side are there because they truly want to be there.