Posted on May 6, 2014
Have you heard of veterans "re-entering" service after having a civilian career?
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Hello Fellow Vets,
Have any of you ever considered re-joining (enlisted or commissioned) the military after having a few years of professional civilian experience?
Why or why not?
Have any of you ever considered re-joining (enlisted or commissioned) the military after having a few years of professional civilian experience?
Why or why not?
Posted in these groups: 
Civilians
Re-enlistment
Civilians Re-enlistment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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I got out as part of the major cutbacks following Desert Storm. There were a number of reasons for my decision. But primarily it was for family reasons. My brand new wife was honestly not going to enjoy being an Army wife at that point in her life. She was at the beginning of a pretty big upward shift in her career. We wanted to have a family and I determined I wanted to "be there" for my children.
I came back in as a PV2 in 2007 at the tender age of 40. I had missed the life for a number of years. The kids were in high school and looking toward their own future. And honestly, I think we were both a little burned out on our corporate civilian lives. I am very thankful that I was given the opportunity to come back in for the second go at this. It has been a heck of a lot more fun in my 40s than it was in my 20s.
I came back in as a PV2 in 2007 at the tender age of 40. I had missed the life for a number of years. The kids were in high school and looking toward their own future. And honestly, I think we were both a little burned out on our corporate civilian lives. I am very thankful that I was given the opportunity to come back in for the second go at this. It has been a heck of a lot more fun in my 40s than it was in my 20s.
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SPC (Join to see)
Did you find it difficult to be a 40-year-old private? Surrounded by high school grads (and dropouts), or did you adjust easily and rise through the ranks quickly?
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SFC Christopher Perry
MSG Huffman,
I tried my best to make up for all the lost time, but 15 years makes for a whole lot of ground!
I tried my best to make up for all the lost time, but 15 years makes for a whole lot of ground!
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SFC Christopher Perry
SPC Pistryakov,
I would have to say all the prior service time helped in two ways. First of all knowing how things work helps out a lot. Nobody really pays attention to the lowest ranking guy, even if he is an old fart. That allowed me to quietly stand back and observe things and people. It was a great learning opportunity, and a whole lot of fun. Second, that time did not last very long. With all that time under my belt, all it really took for me to move up was the willingness to work harder than all the youngsters. While they were busy figuring out ways to sham, I was figuring out ways to set myself apart. The right outlook on life really does go an awfully long way.
I would have to say all the prior service time helped in two ways. First of all knowing how things work helps out a lot. Nobody really pays attention to the lowest ranking guy, even if he is an old fart. That allowed me to quietly stand back and observe things and people. It was a great learning opportunity, and a whole lot of fun. Second, that time did not last very long. With all that time under my belt, all it really took for me to move up was the willingness to work harder than all the youngsters. While they were busy figuring out ways to sham, I was figuring out ways to set myself apart. The right outlook on life really does go an awfully long way.
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I got out of the Army for 2 years to put myself through ROTC. I went to the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) in 1998/1999 but did not get my age waiver approved in the 2 year deadline I gave them. I rejoined the Army just before losing a stripe. I tried to go back to my original Infantry MOS but since I already had BNCOC, they made me go back into the Air Cav and I went to Fort Campbell so I could go to Air Assault school.
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CW2 Paul Beiss
One of my company commanders from 2008 to 2010 decided to get out after serving 15 years. I ran into him working as a GS...guess that didn't work out so well for him, he's back in.
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SSG (Join to see)
I had a 16 year break in service between the Air Force and when I entered the National Guard.
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I was active duty from 8/1983-7/1986. Have worked for DVA since 8/1989 and also re-enlisted into the VA National Guard in 4/2007 and deployed to Iraq 2008-2009. Still Employed by DVA.
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SGT Tobey Cummings
ETS'd again 4/2013. Due to my high GS level, I could really never go to many long term courses and was also too old, when I re-enlisted to go OCS. Also, once I left me unit that I deployed with and moved to Nevada, I lost that feeling of family and didn't have the desire to stay and complete my 20. I want to be clear I do not regret my decision to re-enlist after a 20+ year break in service.
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