Posted on Feb 11, 2022
Can anyone shed some light on the process for prior service w/ VA, going back in active as an officer?
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Prior service with 5+ years out, VA disability, looking to return to service (active duty) as an officer. Prior service Marine looking at Air Force or Army. I have been out of the country, government contracting. I tried to contact recruiters vis linkedin as well as both AF and Army website direct recruiter contact. I get help but not as much as I need as they both kinda brush me off because I'm not physically in the states yet and also because I have 40% disability so they want their CMO to look at my civilian and military medical records first, oh and I have to have my benefits stopped before I even speak with them..
Anyone have any recommendations on what the process or how hard it was for you when going back in or trying to and perhaps what type of things you had to do and just really what the whole process was like and perhaps what all you had to do? My VA disability is 40%, according to both recruiters I must give up my VA (which is true, of course) - I contacted VA already and they said all I have to do is fill out a form to request my benefits to freeze due to returning to active service. I don't care about going to either branch basic and ait or tech school. Just care to get back in.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Anyone have any recommendations on what the process or how hard it was for you when going back in or trying to and perhaps what type of things you had to do and just really what the whole process was like and perhaps what all you had to do? My VA disability is 40%, according to both recruiters I must give up my VA (which is true, of course) - I contacted VA already and they said all I have to do is fill out a form to request my benefits to freeze due to returning to active service. I don't care about going to either branch basic and ait or tech school. Just care to get back in.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Posted in these groups: 
Prior Service
Prior Service Recruiter
Veteran Benefits Advisor
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Prior Service Prior Service Recruiter Veteran Benefits Advisor Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 10
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Your actual medical conditions will determine if you can reenter service. The VA uses a completely different set of rules to determine disability than the military does for service readiness. There really is no relationship between the two.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
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Cpl Parker Swift
Thank you LTC. I did try to do as much research as possible so I can be prepared for the outcomes but also to ensure whatever packet I submit, I'm fully aware on what's going on. Most of my medical opinions were based off the DOD 6130.03,
"MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY SERVICE: RETENTION"
Thanks again for the response!
"MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY SERVICE: RETENTION"
Thanks again for the response!
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If you are rated as 40% disabled, you're probably not going to pass a commissioning physical for the Army or Air Force. The physical requirements for commissioning are significantly more stringent than the physical requirements for enlisting.
You didn't state your age, but you're out of the military over five years and (I assume) four years of college, you might already be at or above the maximum age for commissioning in these services.
Honestly, you might have a better chance joining the Reserves, commissioning there and trying to join active duty after that
You didn't state your age, but you're out of the military over five years and (I assume) four years of college, you might already be at or above the maximum age for commissioning in these services.
Honestly, you might have a better chance joining the Reserves, commissioning there and trying to join active duty after that
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Cpl Parker Swift - As SFC Boyd stated, you must commission before age 34. The Army Reserve allows you to start at age 35, and as I mentioned above, 42 in the National Guard. But even if you just turned 33, getting a packet together, boarded and getting a class seat that allows you to finish before you turn 34 will be a push. Age waivers are possible, again I will tell you to talk to Officer Recruiting to see what the current policy is on the subject.
From what I see, you need to talk to officer recruiting about three issues, one is your age, two would be if your VA disabilities can make it through MEPS, and three is if your packet is competitive enough to be in that 60%. You can debate Regulations and Policies, but they are the people that make the rules.
From what I see, you need to talk to officer recruiting about three issues, one is your age, two would be if your VA disabilities can make it through MEPS, and three is if your packet is competitive enough to be in that 60%. You can debate Regulations and Policies, but they are the people that make the rules.
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PO2 Robert Sangari
The information shown here is out of current. Ages 18-40 and complete OTS Training by age 40. (NO WAIVERS), this is right in the AFRS SOPG which is not available to the public but your recruiter will have it. My application was accepted, and I'm 36 years old..37 this year, prior service too. I would recommend as prior service to check out the AFMAN 36-2032. Has a lot of information. To obtain the most up-to-date policy, you should speak with a recruiter as soon as possible. However, given your age, I would recommend the Army over the Air Force because you have some extra time.
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You would have to enlist in the Army to attend OCS and OCS is competitive. That means you have to be physically capable of passing MEPS, a four year degree, a good GPA and a good set of LOR's. If you are interested, there is usually a Officer Recruiting team associated with each recruiting area. If you can get through MEPS, you are dead in the water already.
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Cpl Parker Swift
Thanks for your response. I've graduated a four year college with a good GPA, I believe I got a 3.0+ I think it was 3.7 GPA.. Should be able to pass MEPS, I don't have any physical abilities that would limit me to not pass and I am still capable of landing a 300 on a PT. But I'll have to look into that ORT at my local recruiting station, so thanks.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Cpl Parker Swift - A 3.7 GPA should be competitive, and they will look at your enlisted record too. VA Disability Rating is not the same as a Disqualifying item on the PULHES, and that would be the big issue, passing the MEPS Physical. You seem to be aware that you can't pull a VA Pension on Active Duty and will have to suspend payments.
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