I'd like to go back on active duty after an 8 year "vacation". I'm curious if I'll have any options. I also did 2 years in the Army National Guard, so I've been "completely" out since Sep 2000. I did 11 years active duty. I'm 38.

My questions are:

Since I've got over 10 years in, am in in "needs of the Army" territory?

Will I be forced into my old MOS (dead end) 92A?

If I did have a choice, what are my chances of getting 25F(N?)?

I'm assuming a bonus is out of the question, even as an 88M.

If I do have a choice, any other suggestions on an MOS that might actually have some promotion potential? I don't want to be stuck in move up or move out situation in another 4 years. Realistically, I think I'm a bit over the hump for 11B...

What was your rank when you got out?

SGT (E5)

If you're interested in steering towards law enforcement, you should look into 31E- Internment/ Resettlement Specialist (corrections). They are extremely short handed and thier points hover around 350-450. I'm sure they could use some NCOs.

I work in IT as a civilian, and really like the feild. That's why I was aiming towards 25N/F/B/S. I have good troubleshooting skills and enjoy the job. I also think there may be some hope of getting a civ. equivalent job when my time is up, if I don't make the cut for warrant and stay (back) in until I die.

My biggest concern is I know I've only got one "shot" at a choice here. Once I'm in a job, I'll have 4 years to move up or move out, so whatever job I end up in had better have potential, and I'll have to work fast to get E6.

My preference would be a technical job (that's where my strengths are), but I know I MUST not get into a dead-end MOS. Aviation also sounds interesting.

Thanks again for your input.

All the commo NCOICs I've ever run into were at the most SSG with like 10 or more years. I wouldn't say it's dead end, but maybe a little slow...

If you want to be a switchboard operater the pick 25f/n. Been there done that. If you like to work with sattelites than pick 25s. If you want to work with networking than I would say pick 25b. Promotion is really easy in signal. All of my Drills/E6 averaged from 5-8yrs in the army. My 1SG was in for 10yrs and my BN CSM was in for 13. Promotion is there for signal. As long as you are proffessional and know your job promotion is easy for signal.

Thank you again for the input.

What I do now is probably closer to 25B. I looked over a big .pdf on JNN-N, and it looks like the 3 work together pretty tight, with a few 25Ls to run the CAT5/FO cables. The S gets the signal up, the N turns it into VOIP, data, video, etc., and the B gets all the users on the network, manages traffic/email/etc. So basically (in civy terms) the JNN-N is a secure mobile Internet Service Provider with some added capabilities. I like it.

Any idea which MOS best feeds into 250N?

All. I would more than likely be a 25B so your have more experience. Thats what you need. They are in need for signal WO's.

Thanks for the feedback. I think 25F/B/S would be a good fit for me.

Does anyone know the answer to my first question, will I have a choice?

I wish you nothing but the best but you need to prepare yourself for the following. You indicated that you have been totally out since Sep 2000 and got out as an E5. After that long of a break in service your chances of coming back as a Sergeant are severly diminished. The reason is that it has been more than the 4 years maximum break in service to enlist with your old rank. Of course you probably realize that you would need a grade determination waiver from HRC just to enlist back as an E-5. In fact the only way you can enlist again is if and only if you get to be an E5. The reason is that you already served 11 years active duty. You already exceed the RCP for E4 and below even before adding the new term of enlistment. Good luck.

Here is the reference that applies to the statement above. It comes from a message that updates AR601-210, chapter 3-17.

[MSG 06-006] Applicants in the grade E-5 and above must submit a formal request to CG, USAREC for the following to determine assignment eligibility:
(a) Vacancy exists in former PMOS. Applicant was last separated from any component in the grade of E-5 with not more than 12 years federal active service and enlists within 48 months following separation, or is a current member of an RC; the enlistment grade will be E-5 and not have more than 12 years AFS.
(b) Vacancy does not exist in former PMOS. Applicant was last separated from any component in the grade of E-5 and enlists within 48 months following separation, or is a current member of an RC, the enlistment grade will be E-5; however, applicant must accept retraining in the MOS provided by CG, USAREC and not have more than 12 years AFS.

Really good catch SSG Ortiz. Now the question is will his recruiter catch it or will the guidance counselor at MEPS catch it.

quote:

Originally posted by SSG Ortiz:
I wish you nothing but the best but you need to prepare yourself for the following. You indicated that you have been totally out since Sep 2000 and got out as an E5. After that long of a break in service your chances of coming back as a Sergeant are severly diminished. The reason is that it has been more than the 4 years maximum break in service to enlist with your old rank. Of course you probably realize that you would need a grade determination waiver from HRC just to enlist back as an E-5. In fact the only way you can enlist again is if and only if you get to be an E5. The reason is that you already served 11 years active duty. You already exceed the RCP for E4 and below even before adding the new term of enlistment. Good luck.

SSG Ortiz I have a question in reference to rank also and I would like to know since I was an E-4 and ETS'd in 2000, I'm looking to go back Active Army and would like to know since I was told earlier that I would keep my rank, but now another recruiter is taking over me since my original recruiter has moved on so now this one tells me I will loose a rank. I would like to know if in fact would I keep my rank or loose it? If so, then how can I get it back asap? I hold two MSO's 91B and 35N. I'm wanting to go active as a 91B is this a bonus field for me too and available to me as a 91B active duty or is the door closed? Thanks a bunch