When joining as a prior service, will I be able to pick what job I want, become needs of the Army, or go back to my old MOS?

2021-02-12T10:32:20-05:00

I am talking to the army recruiter today. Will I be able to pick what job I want or will I become needs of the army and go back to the Infantry the job I was in when i got out?

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Feb 12 at 2021 11:00 AM

2021-02-12T11:00:02-05:00

You have more leverage now than a PVT E-9. Use it wisely, Good Luck

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 12 at 2021 11:39 AM

2021-02-12T11:39:24-05:00

I know that re-joining works different than initial enlistment OR standard re-enlistment. I do not know the rules, so take this with a grain of salt, but....

You are not in the Army right now, and you have no requirement to be. If you do not like your options, you have the ability to walk away.

I recommend talking to a local recruiter, and see what (s)he has to say. If you don't like those answers, try a recruiter at a nearby recruiting station.

I will also toss this out to SFC Private RallyPoint Member . He appears to be an all-knowing God when it comes to retention (or at least all-referencing), and re-entering is not his *specific* field of expertise. But he is still pretty doggone knowledgeable with that avenue, and can probably get you headed in the right direction better than most of us on RP can.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 12 at 2021 12:08 PM

2021-02-12T12:08:23-05:00

A big potential influence on available MOSs is your GT score on the ASVAB.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2021 12:34 PM

2021-02-12T12:34:26-05:00

New business rules dropped earlier this week. The new rules are as follows and keep in mind this is a brief synopsis. E1-E4 with less than 48 months or not mos qualified you are free to renter upon approval with no mos restrictions. All other applicants are limited to specific priority mos selections. I don’t remember off the top of my head what they are but your recruiter can reference the message and give you the availability. Keep in mind that no temporary reservation can be pulled for a PS Applicant the reservation must be pulled with the MEPS guidance counselors. Good luck !!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2021 1:35 PM

2021-02-12T13:35:05-05:00

Look up the Army business rules and you’ll see what MOS are available by rank. When you see a recruiter they’ll let you know if any seats are available at that time prior to signing your contract.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Feb 12 at 2021 4:02 PM

2021-02-12T16:02:06-05:00

In my own experience, when I went back in, all the recruiter could do was process my enlistment with, "MOS Undetermined" or something like that. Ultimately, I was put back into my MOS much to my dismay, BUT I knew that was possible going in. It MIGHT have some bearing as to how long you've been out, but I don't know. Another prior service was out over six years and he also was put back into his former MOS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2021 4:12 PM

2021-02-12T16:12:59-05:00

All depends. You won’t have the options an initial entry soldier would have. You’ll fall under the business rules. You could qualify for 100 jobs, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get them. You’ll have a lot less options than you did when you first enlisted.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 12 at 2021 5:15 PM

2021-02-12T17:15:33-05:00

It all depends on your scores, how long you have been out and the availability of the position should you be qualified.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2022 7:42 PM

2022-02-09T19:42:52-05:00

Speaking from personal experience i got out and ets as a SPC and after a two year gap in service I reenlisted. I was able to choose a new MOS but they will try and get you pick off of a list they provide at MEPS. They made me go through MEPS again. Is there a particular MOS you want I was able to keep my SPC rank but lost all my time in grade. This was three years ago. After negotiating with them i was able to reclass to 42A but did not get the 25B which was my first choice. So you do have options they first tried telling me I had to take what was on the list and it was pretty trash but after saying I wouldnt reenlist they made a phone call and got the mos i wanted but with a longer contract but they tried to pressure me hard to just take whatever was on the list.