Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 1/19/2010

Question
Hi I am 23 and i got out of the army in april, honorable with a re code of 1 if i re enlist what is the policy of picking my duty station? cause that is what i really want above anything else.
thank you

Answer
Dear Leonard --

Generally you can re-enlist for only one of the following: a monetary bonus, a particular specialty, or a specific duty location.  Once you choose one, you forgo the others.  If you want a particular duty location, you must be qualified for a specialty needed there.  If you are not, you cannot enlist for that duty location.

If you do qualify for and enlist for a particular duty station, the Army is only committed to keeping you there for 18 months.  You may stay longer, but the Army my try to PCS you at 18 months.  Consider this when you make your decision to re-enlist because you might not be able to stay at your preferred location for very long.

By the way, if you return to service before three years have expired, you will not have to redo basic training.  

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Thank you for your service.  Good luck to you.