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How do I re-enlist in the army?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 17, 2026

How do I re-enlist in the army?

When you want to re-enlist, in order to get prior service, you must have 6-months of post basic-training experience at minimum. You may have to go back to basic training even if you do have 180 days in the military if you were still in AIT or ADT.

Just so, how soon can you re-enlist in the army?

The Army's Reenlistment Opportunity Window (ROW)–the time or “window” qualified Soldiers can reenlist–opens 15-months from your ETS and closes at your ETS! Unless your ETS is October 1, 2021 (Fiscal Year or FY22) or later!

Additionally, how many times can you enlist in the army? The Army offers enlistment contracts of two years, three years, four years, five years, and six years. Only a few Army jobs are available for two and three year enlistees (mainly those jobs that don't require much training time, and that the Army is having a hard time getting enough recruits).

Secondly, can you rejoin the army after leaving?

If you've completed Phase 1 training, and are a ex-Regular soldier, or commissioned officer, in the Army, RAF Regiment or Royal Marines, you can apply to rejoin at any time. The details of your rejoining will vary on a case to case basis. If you didn't complete your Phase 1 training, you'll need to re-enlist.

Is the army accepting prior service?

The Air Force is the hardest active duty service for prior service to enlist, and the Army is the easiest. The Marine Corps and the Navy accept prior service, but not in large numbers. With the exception of the Army, waiting times of a year or more for prior service to enlist are not uncommon.

Can you leave the military after 4 years?

If you are 18 or over and join the army for the FIRST time, then: You can leave in the first THREE months (but NOT in the first six weeks). After the first three months you have no right to leave until you have served for four years.

Do I have to do basic training again?

You may have to go back to basic training even if you do have 180 days in the military if you were still in AIT or ADT. With the Marines, you're more than likely going to have to go through Boot Camp again, especially if you're transferring from another branch.

What happens if you sign up for the Army and don't go?

If you choose to remain in the DEP, you will show up on your assigned date at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), at which time you will be discharged from the Reserves and you will sign a new contract to re-enlist in the active branch of the military you have chosen.

Does a general discharge look bad?

A General military discharge is a form of administrative discharge. Some employers may still look favorably upon this status level of discharge. In many cases, a thorough explanation of circumstances may be required.

Do you lose rank if you switch branches?

You will usually keep most of your rank, but you may decrease one or two levels, depending on the situation. In general, if you have completed your specific branch of service training requirements for that rank, you are more likely to keep the rank.

Can you enlist after entry level separation?

Can You Reenlist in the Military After Getting an Entry-Level Separation? Typically, yes. However, if the reasons for the ELS is due to a newly discovered medical or mental condition, you may be blocked from other branches, as well. Your DD Form 214 will have an enlistment code.

Do you have to go to MEPS again if you switch branches?

MEPS already has your info once you go through their process, regardless of which branch you were associated with. Your new branch of choice just has to transfer your existing info over to their side.

Does prior service have to retake Asvab?

If you are prior Air Force and your ASVAB scores are valid, you most likely won't have to retest. All other services will likely have to retake the ASVAB test. Your local recruiter will check to determine if your current scores can be converted.

Do you go to jail if you quit the military?

Punishment for Going AWOL

Besides, the maximum punishment according to the law is death or life in prison if desertion is carried out to avoid war. In fact, the vast majority of AWOL and desertion cases are disposed of with an administrative discharge.

Do you get paid after leaving the army?

Active duty military members can retire after 20 years of active duty service. In exchange, they receive retirement pay for life. For the same E-8 who has 30 years of total active duty service, the retirement pay almost doubles.

Can you buy yourself out of the Army?

Discharge by purchase, colloquially called buying oneself out of service, is the obtaining of a military discharge by payment. In the United States military, discharge by purchase was introduced in 1890 for the Army, 1902 for the Marine Corps and 1906 for the Navy. It was abolished in 1953.

How can I leave the army early?

Soldiers can request early separation through their chain of command using a DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action). For assistance, soldiers should contact their local career counselor.

How much are you paid in the Army?

How Much Do Army Soldier Jobs Pay per Month?
Annual SalaryWeekly Pay
Top Earners$50,000$961
75th Percentile$35,500$682
Average$30,572$587
25th Percentile$25,000$480

Do you get paid for basic training?

In order to get paid, the military has to establish your military pay records, and that won't happen until you in-process during the first few days of basic training. If you arrive at basic training before the 10th of the month, you'll get paid on the 15th.

What is the shortest contract in the Army?

Two years is the shortest amount of time a new enlistee can sign up for active duty, however, there is a catch. You actually have an eight-year commitment but you can perform this commitment as an active duty member, a Reservist, or Individual Ready Reservist (IRR).

Is joining the Army worth it?

The Army is one of the best-paying jobs you can find if you don't have a degree. Compared to an entry-level job that requires a degree, the Army pays just as well, if not better. These soldiers are not broke because of what they get paid. They are broke because of how they spend their money.

How hard is it to get into the army?

But today, more than two-thirds of America's young people wouldn't qualify for military service because of physical, behavioral, or educational problems. The services have long required at least a high-school education as a prerequisite for joining. The Army used to offer GED assistance for recruits who wanted to join.

Can you get kicked out of the military for having too much money?

The US Military cannot kick you out for having too much money but you can request a discharge if you came into so much money that it required your support.

Can you quit the Army during basic training?

Yes, you definitely can quit in basic. It's called entry level separation. It's not dishonorable or honorable.

How much do reserves get paid a month?

Pay is based on two weeks of training each year and one weekend each month.

Basic Military Pay Chart For Army Reserve Soldiers*

RankPrivate First Class (E3)
>2 Years$4,289.67
4 Years$4,835.88
6 Years$4,835.88

Do I get to have input concerning where I will be stationed?

Do I get to have input concerning where I will be stationed? No you don't have any input, at the beginning your recruiter will place you where they are in need of position filled.

What is the longest you can stay in the Army?

The RCP defines the maximum time a Soldier may stay in the Army at a certain rank. For instance, the RCP for a promotable staff sergeant is now 26 years -- up from 24. If a Soldier in the rank of staff sergeant has served 26 years and hasn't been promoted to sergeant first class, he or she must retire.

Can I join the military at 55?

The oldest active duty age limit for the Army is 35; for the Navy, 34; for the Marines, 29; for the Air Force, 39; and for the Coast Guard, 27.

Can I join the Army with an RE Code 4?

If you've received an RE-4 code, that means you are ineligible for enlistment in the military except for certain moral and administration disqualifications.

Can you switch military branches?

In most cases someone cannot simply transfer from one branch of the service to another without completing their enlistment contract, getting out, and then joining the different service, as a prior-service recruit.

What is the maximum age for prior service enlistment?

Prior service enlistments
Military BranchMaximum Enlistment Age
Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve32
Army or Air National Guard59 (as long as the member has enough years prior service to complete 20 years of creditable service for retirement by age 60.

Is Army MOS a list?

Combat Engineer (MOS 12B)
  • Bridge Crewmember (MOS 12C)
  • Diver (MOS 12D)
  • Quarrying Specialist (RC) (MOS 12G)
  • Construction Engineering Supervisor (MOS 12H)
  • Plumber (MOS 12K)
  • Firefighter (MOS 12M)
  • Horizontal Construction Engineer (MOS 12N)
  • Prime Power Production Specialist (MOS 12P)

Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran?

National Guard and Reserves who are called to active duty and who serve for the entire period for which they were called will have veteran status and be eligible for VA benefits. National Guard and Reservists who are not called to active duty are not considered veterans under the statute.

Can you join the army at 60?

The Army's OAPP permits reduction of the minimal Military Service Obligation (MSO) period to two years for experienced and qualified health care professionals in the age range of 43 to 60 years old, who are seeking initial appointment as an Officer in the Army Medical Corps. Mull has led an interesting adult career.

What is Option 3 in the army?

REQUEST Option 3: United States Army Training of Choice. Under this option, the soldier is guaranteed to receive training in a specific MOS or CMF. Option 4 guarantees Airborne training (jump school).

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