Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 2/26/2009

Question
Sir,
My husband forwent his commission as an H-60 pilot in the Active Duty
Army about a year ago; he served for 10yrs.  Recently he has experienced a
change of heart and would like to reenlist, again as a pilot.  He contacted an
Army Recruiter and was told he could join as an E-5(SGT) and then request
his commission back.  This approach sounds a little fishy.  We aren't buying
it.  I too served, however I was an NCO and am not familiar with the Officer
side of the house.  I would appreciate any information you might have access
to.          Sincerely, Sarah

Answer
Sarah,
I'll bet you're living in a small-to-medium size town aren't you?  By that I mean not from New York or LA, etc. where recruiters have no problem filling their quotas.  You're right to be suspicious.  Your Recruiter isn't lying, but if you went to NYC I'll bet you get a different answer.  Who wouldn't want a Captain's intelligence at a Sergeant's pay?  Getting his commission back is possible, but so is winning the lottery.  You're smart to get a second opinion.  I need answers to these two questions:  1. How long has he been out?  2.  How old is he now?
At this point his best bet may be to reenter in the Reserves.  Blackhawk pilots are still in demand in the Army, but be advised a lot of them are being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for air assault, air cavalry, and aeromedical evacuation operations.
If you follow-up with answers to my two questions, I'll ask my friend General Matia, the commander of Army Reserve helicopter ops, for details.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Don't give up hope yet!
Colonel H