Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Going back into Naval reserve?

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/3/2011


Question
Hello Sir,
 I was active duty Navy for four years then spent about five years in the Naval Reserve,now I'm 41 years old and was thinking about going back to the reserves..Am I too old to get back in? or does the prior service time count?..Thank you for your time

Answer
Jim,
Your active duty time does indeed count, one year for one year of age. The maximum age for the active duty Navy is 34.  You had 4 years active duty so your new age limit is 38.  However, the maximum age for the Naval Reserves is 39, so 39 + 5 = 44 is your new age limit.  So you're within the age limit for the Reserves.

You won't have to go to boot camp again, and depending upon how long you've been out, you may get to keep some stripes.

A word of caution:  Because you're prior Service your reenty is consider a "re-enlistment" and not a "new enlistment."  The recruiter has only a very small quota for these.  Right now all the Services have used up their waiver quotas for the year.  This is late in the fiscal year because the new fiscal year for all the Services began on October 1.  So October 1st you need to be first in line.

Also, recruiters get $0 bonus for re-enlistments so they may be reluctant to help.  If that happens, go recruiter shopping.  Go to another town and try that Navy recruiter.

I hope it all works out for you.  Write and let me know,
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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