Thinking about going back in...

[ZO6Dave]

I am seriously thinking about going and speaking with a recruiter on Monday. I served in the Army and got out in Nov of 99. I was an 11B and got out as an E5. I served in LRSD in South Korea and also in the 82nd. I have missed the Army and the way of life for the past 12 plus years. I'm now 35 and more so than ever I miss the Military.

Anyone have any experience with being out so long and going back in? If I went back in I figure 11B would be out. I'm not 22 anymore and being infantry is a young mans game. I know my window to do this is closing real quick. I just do not want to live the rest of my life kicking myself for not going back in.

Thanks for any responses.

 

[sinister]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

You can come back either on active duty, as a reservist, or as a National Guardsman -- it all depends on your patience and how much gratification you want from either being full-time or able to tolerate in weekend, two-week, or deployment lengths.

 

[loper]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Well, I ETS'd from the regular Army in 1989, and re entered the Guard in 2008, at 46 years of age. Came back in with my rank (E5) but a different MOS. Made a deployment in 2010-2011 as a Cav Scout, and I'm in a support company now.

Observations:

This ain't the Army I grew up in.
If you can pass a PT test you'll be a leg up on most folks in the Guard.
Promotions work different than they do in the Army, so pay attention to the slot you get.
The Commanders I've served with appreciate "Old Army" NCO's, but expect some resentment from some of the strictly Guard NCO's you'll work with.
Overall, I feel pretty good about coming back into the Guard, but it isn't like picking up where I left off in the regular Army.

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Yeah, I thought about going back in for a third tour.

I was flying helicopters in Viet Nam.

Some of the indeginous people were taking exception to my flying in their air space and were shooting at me. Some were pretty good shots, the most weren't (thank God).

I elected to become a PFC (Private Fine Citizen).

 

[EddieNFL]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I elected to become a PFC (Private Fine Citizen).</div></div>

That's not what I recall PFC meant.

 

[ZO6Dave]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: loper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I ETS'd from the regular Army in 1989, and re entered the Guard in 2008, at 46 years of age. Came back in with my rank (E5) but a different MOS. Made a deployment in 2010-2011 as a Cav Scout, and I'm in a support company now.

Observations:

This ain't the Army I grew up in.
If you can pass a PT test you'll be a leg up on most folks in the Guard.
Promotions work different than they do in the Army, so pay attention to the slot you get.
The Commanders I've served with appreciate "Old Army" NCO's, but expect some resentment from some of the strictly Guard NCO's you'll work with.
Overall, I feel pretty good about coming back into the Guard, but it isn't like picking up where I left off in the regular Army.
</div></div>

Thanks for the response. This is what I was looking for. Are you Active NG or just weekends? Also did you have to go back to AIT for being a Cav Scout? If I could land an Active Duty Nation Guard or Reserve job I'd sign up tomorrow.

My only ordeal is I am a homeowner in Florida and cannot uproot my wife or sell my home. I dont have kids so thats not an issue.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZO6Dave</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: loper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I ETS'd from the regular Army in 1989, and re entered the Guard in 2008, at 46 years of age. Came back in with my rank (E5) but a different MOS. Made a deployment in 2010-2011 as a Cav Scout, and I'm in a support company now.

Observations:

This ain't the Army I grew up in.
If you can pass a PT test you'll be a leg up on most folks in the Guard.
Promotions work different than they do in the Army, so pay attention to the slot you get.
The Commanders I've served with appreciate "Old Army" NCO's, but expect some resentment from some of the strictly Guard NCO's you'll work with.
Overall, I feel pretty good about coming back into the Guard, but it isn't like picking up where I left off in the regular Army.
</div></div>

Thanks for the response. This is what I was looking for. Are you Active NG or just weekends? Also did you have to go back to AIT for being a Cav Scout? If I could land an Active Duty Nation Guard or Reserve job I'd sign up tomorrow.

My only ordeal is I am a homeowner in Florida and cannot uproot my wife or sell my home. I dont have kids so thats not an issue. </div></div>

After being out of the game for more than a decade you'll be looking at not just AIT but a full blown run through basic again. Should keep that in mind as well.

 

[ZO6Dave]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Basic a second time through would be more funny than anything I would think. Honeslty I would not mind it.

 

[pdogsbeware]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Learn from your past...join the Air Force instead this time around!

I understand you missing the good ole days. But they are not the good ole days anymore, like Loper said, it's a completely different Army now.

 

[insight3b]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

I got out in 1994 and went back in in 1999 both times active and both times 11B...it wasn't th same Army and I had changed alot too. By changed I mean matured. First time in I turned 18 at OSUT in Benning. Went back in as a PFC and I was older than everyone in the platoon except the PSG. Everything else had changed too. No such thing as an SOI now we have ANCD's...no more M60's now we have 240's no M16A2 now M4 no more prc77with ky57's for encryption no we have Sincgars. GPS units had changed and all weapons had IR lasers and every joe NODS. The attitude had changed more towards a garrison troop type as well. Had tl's wo couldn't even get a back azimuth and MG teams who didn't know how to fill out a range card but everyone could press a uniform and shine the hell out of some boots...sorry for the long post. It was a mistake for me to go back

 

[dohnuts58]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

With the draw down you will be hard pressed to find an active component to take you

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Dern you guys are making me feel old (yeah thats what it is)

I got out in '69 and joined the guard after my 3 years IR. Talk about poliitcs, we had the Vietnam Vets and we had those who joined the guard to avoid Vietnam.

Can you say Antimosity (though I can't spell it you know what I mean).

Made it to E-7, couldn't pass the SQT test for E-8 so I had to go to OCS. That's when the politics really kicked in.

Stay until I retired in '92. The only regret is getting out. I retired from the Anchorage Police Dept and was planning on moving back to Wyoming. Wished I'd stayed in the guard. I could have transfered to the WY NG, per the state constitution I could have stayed in until I turned 70.

After Sept 11, I tried to get back in. My wife was activated and had two kids in the service, All three were deployed leaving me home to feel like some sort of draft dodger.

My advise to any, if nothing else, join the guard, you can always go active with the guard.

It's a heck of a lot easier to get out then it is to get back in.

The biggest regret in my life is getting out of the Guard.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: insight3b</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got out in 1994 and went back in in 1999 both times active and both times 11B...it wasn't th same Army and I had changed alot too. By changed I mean matured. First time in I turned 18 at OSUT in Benning. Went back in as a PFC and I was older than everyone in the platoon except the PSG. Everything else had changed too. No such thing as an SOI now we have ANCD's...no more M60's now we have 240's no M16A2 now M4 no more prc77with ky57's for encryption no we have Sincgars. GPS units had changed and all weapons had IR lasers and every joe NODS. The attitude had changed more towards a garrison troop type as well. Had tl's wo couldn't even get a back azimuth and MG teams who didn't know how to fill out a range card but everyone could press a uniform and shine the hell out of some boots...sorry for the long post. It was a mistake for me to go back </div></div>

We don't use the ANCD anymore either lol

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Talk to some AD guys first. It's vastly different from the "bad ol' days". I went in in '82 (Navy) and retired in '05 (Army). 'Twas the stupid shit that did me in.

 

[aur0ra145]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Warrant Officer? What's your background? I'm going down the warrant officer tube for the Army. I have a flying background and work in the industry supporting MARSS ops in Afghanistan, plus other short hauler ops.

I'm 23 and want nothing more than to join. But once I was done with the flying physicals and checks and stuff they decided to suspend warrant boards for flying indefinably (budget stuff.) Maybe the Navy will pick me up.

 

[SFree]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

Buddy I work with got out in '09 and has tied to get back in for 2 years. Not taking prior service. Was a weapons specialist. After 2 years the only slot was active reserve and a truck driver. He took it, getting another useful skill to use when he gets out, but he does not like it...

 

[ZO6Dave]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

I know for a fact the Florida National Guard will take me back. But on Weekend warrior status. I could go back to school and have the guard pay for it. My GI Bill has expired a couple years now.

I'm in a position in my life where I have very little debt and what my wife makes clears 80% of our monthly expenses. So I could afford to go back to school, and start a different career while doing any kind of menial part time job.

I'm just looking to get OUT of the career field I am currently in. I have been in the car business for the past ten years. I've managed a dealership and just sold cars also. I make good money I'm just sick of it honestly. No really I HATE it. I'm really fretting over this because the only two things I really really know are how to be a soldier and how to sell.

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Thinking about going back in...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aur0ra145</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Warrant Officer? What's your background? I'm going down the warrant officer tube for the Army. I have a flying background and work in the industry supporting MARSS ops in Afghanistan, plus other short hauler ops.

I'm 23 and want nothing more than to join. But once I was done with the flying physicals and checks and stuff they decided to suspend warrant boards for flying indefinably (budget stuff.) Maybe the Navy will pick me up. </div></div>

Not sure what you're asking about re: my background. But I wouldn't worry about the Warrant boards, they are always going to be needing new pilots, just have some patience.

From start to finish, my application for the program took 18 months.