Expert: Howard Lorenz - 10/21/2007

Question
I don't know if you will be able to help but I hope so. I was in the Navy for 4 years but got out in 2005 to go to college. I finished a year in school but miss the service very much. I have been talking to a recruiter and am going to go back in. I was just wondering if I had to go back in as the same rating or if they will let me choose a new one. I got a much higher score on my ASVAB this time around and the first time I was undesignated. I hope you can give me some answers. Thank you!

Answer
Josh,

Working closely with my NAVY counterparts for 3 years, I have not heard of the NAVY turning down anyone that wanted to return. There are factors that will affect your re-entry even though you left active service to attend school. The first one will be your re-entry code on your DD Form 214. At the bottom of the original, there will be a RE Code. THere are several codes, most who serve honorably will have a RE code of 1 and then a letter identifier after. Since you have a higher ASVAB score, this will also affect re-entry. The MEPS command has to take the most recent score, so this will be in your favor. Your education has broadened, so this too will be in your favor.

Now I am not sure about the NAVY, but with the Airforce, we do not accept prior service. You will have to check the the local recruiter to find out if the NAVY does infact take prior service. They were taking them when I left in Jan of this year. Do you have a dergree now?, if so this will be more that you will have to offer the NAVY. Use these as bargining chips to gain your return to duty. There are other options available to you in the reserves as well. I believe that the NAVY will take folks from the reserves and migrate those who want to serve on active duty.

The best bet would be to gather together all your supporting documents, the DD Form 214, your HS diploma, your transcript from college, driver license and SSan Card. Go to the recruiter and tell him what you want to do and what you want. A recruiter will do more for someone that has the desire to enter, than those who are jsut looking. You have the ultimate decision, and if the NAVY cant provide to you the desired rating you are looking for, look at other options of how you can get it. If they cant get it to you on the active side of the house, maybe the reserve side can. Or if not when after you go back, will the ratings happen. You have more to offer the NAVY now than when you were in before, make the recruiter work for you....

I hope that I shed a little light on you situation, I wish you the best of luck in what ever you decide to do.

HW