Posted on Aug 21, 2019
SFC Robert Salmon
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So I ran into an ARNG commander while on a project I was working on in Arkansas. We struck up a conversation during which I voiced I regret in not staying in though 9/11. He told me that I could enlist in the ARNG in Texas as long as I could hit 20 before I turned 60. (I think that's the age I was told.) Initially, I had some hope that this could happen, but the more I investigated, I realized that my DV rating was too high and I would have to try try and have that reduced to no greater than 30%. Obviously, I recognize the risk of trying to get my disability lowered, what happens if they lower it to 35%, or what happens if some medical condition could prevent entry. I am in fairly good shape, but who knows if some unknown issue would prevent entry? I'm sure I could have the work done prior just to make sure I'm GTG physically. At the time I ETS'd I did it for good reasons, not because I did not like soldering, and it was the most difficult decision I've ever faced, but here I am in my life feeling like I left things unfinished, aside from an early '94 deployment to Bosnia, I did not deploy to the ME (That is a story of backstabbing for another time.) and so I get the feeling like I had never really put all my training to use from that perspective, I often feel that I did not do "enough". My question is, has anyone ever pursued that path? Re-entering military service after being out more than 20 years and navigating the whole disability rating thing? At this point, I'm just telling myself to get over the idea and deal with it.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 5
SSgt Auto Total Loss Claims Associate
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SFC Robert Salmon yes and no - kind of. While I am receiving drill pay, I cannot also get my VA disability pay. This would be "double-dipping" according to the feds, and I would have to repay one or the other.
So, while not really taking a lower rating than my current 10%, I am not getting my monthly VA disability check if I have drill pay.
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SFC Michael D.
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Just curious, is there a unit close to you that has your MOS or are you going to have to re-class?
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SFC Robert Salmon
SFC Robert Salmon
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I would have to reclass, they have some MI slots that I could transition into, but not my MOS specifically.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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Harker Heights and Belton.
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SFC Robert Salmon
SFC Robert Salmon
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??
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MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ Ken Landgren
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SFC Robert Salmon - My apology. Somehow I answered to a different question.
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SFC Robert Salmon
SFC Robert Salmon
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MAJ Ken Landgren - No worries, I'm in Temple. What's up neighbor? lol
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