Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 2/11/2010

Question
I am Prior regular army and national guard. I served 3 years as 11b at Ft. Campbell KY got out in April 2001 as E-4. Joined the guard in Dec 2001. Went to Iraq and was on active duty from Feb. 2003 to June 2004. ETS date was June 2004 as 88m. I am wanting to go back in to regular Army. Can I retain my e-5 rank? Can I go into another MOS if I have the proper GT score? Any information you could give me would help thanks.

Answer
Dear Derrick --

If your discharge paperwork (DD 214) shows you have an honorable discharge and a positive re-entry code, you can re-enlist.  You must still meet all recruitment criteria for health, fitness, morality and intellect.

Since you have been out of the service for more than three years, you will have to take a military skills refresher course, like basic training but not basic training.  If you retain your prior MOS, then you might be able to retain your prior rank, if you meet all the educational and security requirements for that rank.

If you change MOSs, you could return as a PFC or maybe SPC, but until you complete the skills courses in your new MOS you cannot hold the higher rank.  If you are a high quality recruit, you could possible get enlistment riders that allow for accelerated promotions every time you complete a skills course.  Such a scenario would have you as PFC through military refresher, SPC through AIT and SGT once you graduate from AIT.  You must discuss your desire for accelerated rank early in the recruitment process to guarantee availability of that option.

Thank you for your prior service.  Good luck to you.