After rejoining the military, how long did it take until you were back in the swing of things?

Sgt Landon W. — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:47:14 -0400

I'm USMC Prior-Service(POG-Comm) going into the Army Infantry as a Sgt after not long of a break. I was in the reserves for a bit after I got out, dropped to IRR and IRR time was up last June. Now i Leave back to the military (and planning on making it my career) in a month and I'm excited but also wondering if anyone else ever decided to go back in after their life didn't turn out to well as a civilian.

I'm Lucky to have to opportunity to go back and excited but has anyone else done the same and once you were in for awhile how long did it take to get back into the swing of things and when things started to work themselves out.

I already have checked my ego and chip at the door and am going in open minded quiet ready to learn and not gunna talk too much at first.

I looked at going back in awhile ago but things prevented me from doing so until now.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 7 at 2021 9:52 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:52:07 -0400

Good luck with that I had a fifteen year break in service. Much like riding a bike, it comes back. I did a Recruiting Tour coming back. I didn’t have family problems. As long as I am bringing home a check and providing. Medical all is well

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 7 at 2021 10:24 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 22:24:29 -0400

The term POG is something people with ego use to make themselves better than others. I would drop that as well.

Response by SGT Justin Brothen made Jul 8 at 2021 12:45 AM

SGT Justin Brothen — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 00:45:38 -0400

Best advice I can give. You have reclassed it's nothing you were asked,drilled, trained on over and over. Like you said sit back and learn the mos, and different Branch. Alot of those e3s and specialists will know alot about the Job.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2021 2:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 02:33:13 -0400

I had a several year break in service. I eased in by joining the NG a few years later. But I joined a deploying unit and realized I wanted the full time thing and that my skills and qualifications were more marketable in the military at the time.

By the time you walk out of AIT and arrive at your first unit, you'll have a handle on things. Prior service kids assimilate better because they realize this is a career and not a new set of parents. Initial term kids seem to have this perception that their NCO's are just another set of parents they need to rebel against. It's usually around 21 or so that people start to consider this as a real career and not a job they are doing for three years.

Best advice is to look around at what you want to do for the next 15-20 years. Infantry promotes the best, if you want to do that either get tough and go to Airborne and Ranger school, or get smart and go to Master Gunner school. You can always try out for SF, PSYOPS, and Civil Affairs early in your Career as well, they all have good promotion rates as well. You might have a chance to reclass to a few other jobs as well, depending on class seat availability and your rank, just realize the more technical the job the slower they usually promote. You can become an officer as long as you have your bachelor degree, and we have several Warrant Officer fields that will accept any MOS and don't require a degree. If you choose to become a pilot you will owe the Army 10 years from when you graduate.

But all around, the Army is pretty easy. You just show up and work and you will get promoted. Depending on your MOS you might have to put in some extra work to be above your peers, but there is no reason you can't make MSG in your MOS before you retire.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2021 11:44 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 11:44:16 -0400

Best advice I can offer is to come to the dark side. I was prior service USMC on the enlisted side. Granted, I am nurse so the medical side is different compared to regular Army. I had a long break in service (10 years) and despite being older getting my commission is the best thing I have done. Good luck!