Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/8/2007

Question
I am a former marine, I have been out since 1991 served honorable with a reenlistment code of RE - 1A. I served in Panama with 5th Marines during Operation Just Cause 1989 and Desert storm 1991. Question: I would like to reenlist do I have to go through all that boot camp training again, also when I was discharge seven ribbons and medals were not listed on my DD214. any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer
Dear Eric --

You are eligible to re-enlist, if you are younger than the maximum allowable enlistment age (40) plus the number of years you have already served.  Usually you will not have to attend boot-camp, but you will have to attend training in your military occupational specialty.  You will likely have to return at a lower rank than you departed at, but that is negotiable and you should discuss it with a recruiter.

If you have copies of the medals and awards you earned, you can have your official files updated at any time.  Bring copies of those documents when you go to see the recruiters so they can better characterize the quality of your re-enlistment.  The recruiter cannot update your record, only a human resources expert where your records are held can do that for you.

Good luck to you.