Reenlist after 9 years?

[AlohaBirk]

I'm considering reenlisting in the reserves after being discharged from active duty almost 9 years. I'm not wanting to waste the prior service recruiters time so what's anyones thoughts?

[iamspartacus]

How would you be wasting the prior service recruiter's time? That's his job. If people like you didn't go ask him questions there would be no need for prior service recruiters.

Having said that, you might have a tough time getting back in. I'm certainly no expert, but the word going around is it's tough for anyone trying to get in/back in the military right now.

[Tennessee Top]

Are you talking about reenlisting in the reserves or trying to go back on active duty?

If it's active duty 9 years is a long time. But, if that's what you want to do won't hurt to at least ask right?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[AlohaBirk]

Let me refrase my question. I'm wanting to see if it's worth my time approaching a prior service recruiter about enlisting into the reserves. I've got a great job in the cillivian side so active is not an opition.

[Muztang11]

Go talk to him,You are well within age and service limits so its not a waste of time.They are really talking about changing the reserves up right now as far as amount of active time during the year so see if there is a place for you.

[cucinae5]

It is worth your time if you find the right prior service recruiter. Some will blow you off and some will give you the wrong information.

I had to deal with a PSR that had no interest in helping me. At that time I was off contract about 7 years. I am now off 9 and finally was able to get a PSR that is working his ass off to get me back in. I have a sponsor, did all my paper, physical, etc... As you go along you will find everything gets flagged or pushed back for some reason. My latest was they couldn't find my ASVAB scores. So I had to retake that. Funny because I haven't been to school in over 15 years and did better this time than back then. So now my scores have gone back to HQMC. The process is long.

All and all if you don't count the time I wasted a couple years ago with the other PSR with the current process it has been about 8 to 9 months.

Things that you will need or run into:

1. You have to find a unit for your MOS and they have to sponsor you.
2. Get your physical done by your Primary Doctor, don't go to MEPS. They will fail you.
3. If you have any records from your enlistment, get those together. If not, you will need your OMPF and can get that online.
4. Review the tattoo policy, if you have tats below your elbows you probably won't clear waivers.
5. Prepare yourself for the PFT and CFT. Odds are you won't take them prior to swearing in, but you still want to be ready for them in case they come back and require it as part of your package.
6. If you have any criminal record you will need all the documentation on that. That includes DUI's and etc..

Sorry for the long email, but I wanted to give you as much information as possible. If you have any more questions let me know and I will try to answer them for you.

Good luck!!

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Believe it or not, also consider the Air National Guard. Some good jobs out there and good benefits. You also don't have to kill yourself to get back into shape for the PFT/CFT, which can be difficult if you've not done a thing for 9 years.

[cplzeke0311]

You'll probably have much better luck if you can find a unit that has billets available for your MOS. The unit near me is a bulk fuel unit and my MOS is 0311. I submitted a PSMRP package and it got denied a few weeks ago due to lack of funds for MOS retraining. I started the whole process in September so it's been 8-9 months for me as well. I'm going to contact another PSR as the one I've been dealing with is going back to the Fleet and my package was denied before the budget was passed. Now that it's passed there may be some additional funds available. Cucinae5, did you EAS 9 years ago or were you off contract 9 years ago? I EAS'ed 11 years ago and was off contract 7 years ago so that may be another reason why my package was denied.. If you've been off contract for more than 3 years you will need an off contract waver, also.

[devilbones2]

cplzeke0311 (http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/member.php?u=77486), I had the same issue with the retraining. The funds wont be available until October.

[cplzeke0311]

That's the same thing I heard. I'm going to try to submit another package sometime in August or early September. If that doesn't work out I'm probably going to look into the Air National Guard like Sgt Lep said. I'm afraid I'm starting to get too old for Marine Corps life.:marine:

[AlohaBirk]

Really information that had been brought up here. My MOS is a 0621, so communication is mostly needed through out the corps. My local units are a field artillery battery and a tow unit. Never thought of the air guard. My current cillivian job has a similiar job in the guard. So there alot to considered but thanks fellow Marines.

[Vandrel]

I did 9, got out and havn't looked back. Contractor life is good :D

[AlohaMarine]

Aloha, Birk.

[cucinae5]

I have been off contract since 2001. It seems HQMC tries to deny anyone trying to get back in for any reason. Unless you have a PSR that is really willing to put time and effort in you are screwed. Luckily for me mine seems to continue the fight. Two weeks ago he called me and told me they held my packet up because some paper had by GT score from my ASVAB below the required number. So of course I had to go retake the damn think all over again. Luckily for me I actually scored even hire than when i was in high school. It sucked because they couldn't find my scores in my record since it was so long ago.

But I got my new scores in about 2 weeks ago and now I am waiting again for word of approval. My PSR says it will be 2 to three weeks. This Thursday will be 2 weeks since submitting the scores.

So we shall see. The fight is ridiculous going back in. But don't give up.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Good.....keep us updated!

[cucinae5]

Will do. As of this morning I haven't heard anything. I did send an email out for a sitrep, but it usually takes my PSR a day to get back to me unless I call him.

[Muztang11]

I talked to the local PSR and today he told me that until further notice,absolutely no off contract waivers would be given consideration. If you are not still on contract you are SOL. Hopefully this doesn't affect any of you but just FYI.

[AAV Crewchief]

Did that myself back in 1999. It was about 8 years though. Went into AF reserves. I've got 19 years in for retirement purposes and just reupped for 6 more in March.

[cucinae5]

Ok Gents here is where I stand:

Talked to my PSR Wednesday and my package is sitting on the desk of the section that actually approves and does calculations for reenlistment. From what he is telling me it looks very good that I will have an approval sometime next week most likely. At the latest the following week.

Would have been nice to get the approval before the holiday weekend, but hey as long as it comes back approved I will not complain.

Enjoy the weekend and I will give a sitrep as soon as I get word.

[devilbones2]

I talked to the local PSR and today he told me that until further notice,absolutely no off contract waivers would be given consideration. If you are not still on contract you are SOL. Hopefully this doesn't affect any of you but just FYI.
I wonder if this applies to the reserves. I got an email from my PSR two days ago and he had reported everything was going as planned.

[cucinae5]

I wonder if this applies to the reserves. I got an email from my PSR two days ago and he had reported everything was going as planned.


I think there are a lot of different versions to all of it. Just about any recruiter or PSR you talk to will give you a different answer. It is all about finding the ones that will put the leg work into getting it done.

Reserve wise I have heard nothing of no one being off contract not being able to get back in.

Active side you have to find a regular recruiter. I found one that seemed like he knew what he was talking about and said the odds of off contract getting back in right now is probably not going to happen. He said most likely they will start taking more in Oct.

Of course like I said they all give you different answers or different versions.

[cucinae5]

ok gents, just to update my PSR had to do a couple things to my package on Friday that HQMC requested and it is still sitting on the desk. My PSR says he thinks that I will get an approval any day now.

So still playing the waiting game. Just in case I didn't say it before and so everyone can see how long this takes. I started this process with this PSR last August.

[cucinae5]

Ok latest update. I have been approved. Long wait but well worth it.. I swear in next week and get my id about 5 days after that. I will keep everyone posted as I move along. For all those who are trying to do this, don't give up. I've been off contract since 01 and was accepted.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Well done! Get ready to PCS immediately (from my experience anyway) or start burning leave. Something I didn't realize when I went through this process...but it may have changed since '97.

Leaving the thread open...and keep us in the loop if you can. What MOS did you get? Did you get to keep your old one or do you have to lat move?

[cucinae5]

Well more waiting games now. I was set up to go into a PWST billet which didn't require me to LAT move. Now they are closing the billet down so I can't go there.

My PSR is talking to a 1st Sgt. tonight to see if I can get into there admin spot as a 03, but who knows. If not my only other options are to wait until September which my acceptance will have expired and I would have to do the process all over again or LAT into another MOS which would require at least going to school for 6 weeks.

That isn't really an option because I know my company will just do away with my position so they would get around the USRRA laws of having to hold my spot.

Getting very frustrated at this point. All this way to continue to play games.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Sigh. I know the feeling, believe me. It does suck.

[cucinae5]

Ok update on the update. LOLOL My PSR called the 1st Sgt. that is located at the reserve unit and pleaded with him to allow me to come into HQ there as some type of Admin Clerk or something like that. The 1st Sgt. agreed, but has to clear it through his CO. If this I would be on contract and we could readdress where I go come September when spaces come open again.

So I am supposed to know something by Thursday or Friday. He was sending the 1st Sgt. my paperwork tonight.

So hurry up and wait and then play the guessing game and then take a 50 50 shot that a Captain will allow me to join the team. Hopefully he is one of those Captains that listens to his 1st Sgt.

I'll keep everyone posted.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Sweeet! Yup. Keep us in the loop.

[cucinae5]

Ok, update to the updates ... ha ha

I talked to the 1st Sgt. last night and he basically gave me an over the phone interview. Good guy. He is trying to reach is CO to request I be approved. I just had to commit to going to the MOS training. They want to put me into a 1371 billet. No 0311 billets available. So I am waiting on word that the CO gave the OK. So I am in stand by mode yet again. ha ha

[MOS4429]

I have been out of the loop for 20 -- no 24 years -- and am very surprised that former active duty Marines have such difficulty getting back into the Marine Corps, whether active or reserve. Doesn't it benefit the Corps to bring back a trained, experienced NCO vs. a raw recruit? Or is it all about money nowadays? Seems a shame to have to go the National or Air National Guard route, but it is apparently a more viable option.

[cucinae5]

still playing the waiting game gents.. Been approved to go to combat engineers but have to attend an 8 week course next year if i do it. Work is going to love that.

My PSR is trying to get me into an LAR unit in Frederick or Quantico though. Either way I have to agree to retrain in another MOS. Either 1372 or 0313. NO 0311 spots open near me. Sucks.

Hopefully I can be sworn in by Friday.

[MOS4429]

still playing the waiting game gents.. Been approved to go to combat engineers but have to attend an 8 week course next year if i do it. Work is going to love that.

My PSR is trying to get me into an LAR unit in Frederick or Quantico though. Either way I have to agree to retrain in another MOS. Either 1372 or 0313. NO 0311 spots open near me. Sucks.

Hopefully I can be sworn in by Friday.

Good luck with that. Once you are in, if you go to training, or summer duty, etc., work has to grin and bear it. They cannot retaliate against or terminate employment. That's the law. Where I work, a reservist was sent to Iraq for a year. Work didn't like it, but too bad. She has been back for about 2 and just left again for an indefinite time. Anyway...8 weeks is not much, and they should be grateful you are willing to serve.
:thumbup:

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Let me know if you come to Frederick!

[cucinae5]

No problem. Hopefully I get some answers tomorrow.

[brian0351]

You know its funny. I was with that unit in Quantico for a little while back before the Iraq war. They were at 50% manning when I joined. After Iraq started they were full.

It's amazing to hear that an LAR unit is full on 0311s. I'm sure you'll enjoy 0313 though. Nothing better than laying down some hate and discontent with a Bushmaster!

[cucinae5]

Well I should have an answer by Friday where I am going. My 3 spots are Frederick MD - (LAR) 0313 waiting on approval, Parkville MD - (Combat Engineer) 1372? already approved, or Quantico VA (LAR) 0313 waiting on approval.

Brian 0351 - were you an 0351 while at Quantico or an 0313? If an 0313 what was it like?

[cucinae5]

Ok, here we go.. I have an interview with the 1st Sgt at LAR/Frederick MD tomorrow morning. If that goes well I will be with that unit. If not I will be with Combat Engineers our of Parkville, MD. Either I believe I am swearing in by Wednesday.

Leprechaun do you know the exact directions from Baltimore to LAR in Frederick. GPS/Mapquest/Google Maps doesn't like the address given for some reason. Figured since you asked me to let you know if I was going there you may have been there.

Thanks guys. I will let you know how the interview goes when I return home.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Send me a PM when you get home I'll get you directions from where ever you are coming from to the 4th LAR building, address has changed.

[brian0351]

Well I should have an answer by Friday where I am going. My 3 spots are Frederick MD - (LAR) 0313 waiting on approval, Parkville MD - (Combat Engineer) 1372? already approved, or Quantico VA (LAR) 0313 waiting on approval.

Brian 0351 - were you an 0351 while at Quantico or an 0313? If an 0313 what was it like?


I was an 0351 in the fleet. I trained as an 0352 for D Co LAR, I never got to do anything with them because they sent me to SOI for the 0352 MOS and then they deployed to Iraq. So I quit the unit and came out here as a contractor.

[AAV Crewchief]

Good luck with that. Once you are in, if you go to training, or summer duty, etc., work has to grin and bear it. They cannot retaliate against or terminate employment. That's the law. Where I work, a reservist was sent to Iraq for a year. Work didn't like it, but too bad. She has been back for about 2 and just left again for an indefinite time. Anyway...8 weeks is not much, and they should be grateful you are willing to serve.
:thumbup:


Hey,

Make sure you check your orders too...when I was activated in 01, my orders stated that the five year cumulative time limit (amount of time they had to hold your job and could not replace you) did not apply.

[cucinae5]

AAV Crewchief - not sure I follow.. When you got activated did you go away from your job for 5 consecutive years??? I am confused on what you are saying. My understanding of USERRA is you are covered unless you serve over 5 consecutive years.

[cucinae5]

Had my interview Saturday and all went well. The 1st Sgt. and Major both said they would love to have me on board and are emailing my PSR to confirm. So with any luck talking to my PSR Friday he said if they accepted my I could probably swear in on Wednesday. I will keep updating, but things look good.

Anybody know any tailoring/cleaners in the Baltimore area that know how do press, clean, and deal with other stuff regarding our uniforms?

[devilbones2]

cucinae5, you totally jacked this thread. I thought it was yours. How long were you off contract for?

[cucinae5]

Wasn't done intentionally. I jumped to give my experience to everyone trying.

I have been off contract for 9 years.

[Wood5831]

Congrats. I tried getting back in and got all the paperwork on my end set and waited to hear back from the PSR when she got her end done. That was back in December. So I said **** it.