Does having ~30 colleges credits and having finished the Future Soldiers Training make you able to enter the Army as an E-3?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:42:43 -0500

I saw online that i can enter the army as an E2 if i have 24 colleges credits and that i can enter as an E3 if i have 24 college credits and finished the Future Soldier Training. Is that possible and if yes how hard is it to be approved??

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 2 at 2019 4:45 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:45:58 -0500

Quite possible, transcripts would have to be provided to MEPS. In 1973 I came in as an E3, with 35 college credits and 2 1/2 yrs of college ROTC, 1 yr HS JROTC.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jan 2 at 2019 4:48 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:48:57 -0500

Great question go to AR 601-210 this regulation will assist in your process. Or ask your Recruiter and they will definitely assist.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 4:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:50:22 -0500

Reach out to your recruiter, he/she would be able to assist with this. Also make sure they add this to your contract. Good luck to you....

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jan 2 at 2019 5:12 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 17:12:17 -0500

Talk to your recruiter make sure they understand your path. Give them all necessary documents and see where it takes you it could be dependent on your mos as well

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2019 6:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 18:21:20 -0500

The Pre-Basic Training Checklist isn't difficult; it just takes time to study. I completed it before I shipped to basic 15 years ago, and many others do as well. There are plenty of Youtube videos that you can find that will instruct you on how to do each task on the list. From what I remember, some recruiters even hold training events to help recruits learn and complete the tasks. Aside from early promotion, it's in your best interest to learn the Pre-basic checklist, because it will make Basic Training a tad bit easier to get through, because you won't be trying to learn those things while exhausted from a long day of physical exercise and training.

As far as the college credits, I'm not certain. I've read similar articles you are referring to, but you will want to ask a recruiter about the most current policies on the matter. Either way, you are going to need official transcripts proving you earned the credits from an eligible institution or institutions.

A current recruiter will have the best information to answer both of your questions and get you going in the right direction. Give your local recruiting station a call.

Response by PO2 Andy Seydel made Jan 2 at 2019 7:26 PM

PO2 Andy Seydel — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 19:26:05 -0500

Not sure about the Army but I entered the Navy as an E-3 and made E-4 after passing my first rating school (AIT) 6 months after boot camp. For the Navy it has to do largely with what job you pick - some jobs make you sign a 2-year extension and have you entering as an E-3 for it. Regardless if you enter as an E-3 or E-1, everyone gets treated like an E-1 in boot camp - it's not till after boot camp and sometimes after schooling that the advanced rank takes effect. As the other guys have said though - pick your recruiter's brain and make them make phone calls if needed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 9:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 21:10:49 -0500

I had 60 college credits/associates degree and was told that was just enough to give me my 3.
To be honest it still bothers me to this day an E1 that got it the same time as me made E4 same time as me haha. The promotion system for lower enlisted is all automatic based on time in service. Sometimes you can get waivers, ie make E4 in 18 months TIS.
Getting a waiver for E3 honestly shouldn't be that hard but if you dont get it I wouldn't sweat it too much.

Response by PFC Jose Escobar made Jan 5 at 2019 4:02 AM

PFC Jose Escobar — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 04:02:08 -0500