How does prior service grade determination work?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 01:50:38 -0400

Ets'd less than 24mos ago. Re1. E5 27D.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 14 at 2017 5:59 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 05:59:01 -0400

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member: Your prior service grade would allow you to engage in a career/job commensurate with your many skills, talents and professionalism gained in the Army.
Many Prayers for your continued success, Sergeant.
-Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2017 9:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 09:44:04 -0400

Basically, what will happen is when you go back to a Recruiter and run thru MEPS, depending on the time of year, you will either keep your stripes or get dropped down a grade. Or at least, they will try. I say this because I had been out for 5.5 years when I came back in. I was a SPC when I ETSd. When MEPS told me they would have to drop me down to PFC, I said "no thanks" and started to walk out the door. After my Recruiter had a conversation with MEPS, I was able to keep SPC when I came back in. It was never fully explained to me, but the gist they told me was that it was based off of time of year and rank quota.

Response by SPC Anthony Schepis made Jul 15 at 2017 3:23 AM

SPC Anthony Schepis — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 03:23:32 -0400

Don't do it man

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 10:33 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 10:33:58 -0400

There is a grade determination form that is completed by the recruiter, attached will be proof of all documentation that you "earned" your rank such as SSD completion certificate, BLC 1059 and any other requirements that were necessary for the year that you were promoted. Once sent to MEPS for processing they will determine if you qualify to retain your previous rank, if you will be administratively reduced due to lack of rank qualification, or if you will be processed for a grade waiver. I've been out of recruiting for 3.5 years and the messages and rules change frequently, best bet is to speak with a recruiter to get the most up to date information .

Response by Cpl Robertto Salcedo made Aug 16 at 2017 6:00 PM

Cpl Robertto Salcedo — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:00:37 -0400

It depends what grade you were when you got out I was in the Marine Corps got out a year and a half and now I'm in the army as my same grade but different MOS

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Aug 21 at 2017 5:07 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 05:07:22 -0400

In My case I came back in as a SSgt, which was My rank at the time I left the active duty USAF after 8 years service. I also had an 8 year break where I wasn't in the Military at all so had to take all the AFQTs, Physical etc all over again, I lost the time in grade but kept the rank of SSgt as well as My 81271 Supervisor level on My AFSC (MOS in other services.) Once back and reaching and going over the two year time in grade requirement I was promoted to TSgt. Following that in later years I was promoted to MSgt then SMSgt. When I retired I had spent 22 years in uniform.
***Including the time I was in USAF I also was a member and had been an NCO, Warrant Officer and Officer of CAP, Civil Air Patrol, the official Air Force Auxiliary for over 40 years. We still wore the USAF uniforms but with distinctive insignia although the rank insignia was identical to the USAF but isn't credited as Military service.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2018 1:16 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 01:16:43 -0500

Were you able to find a solution to your question? I'm going through my own personal obstacle in regards to coming into the army with prior service experience in both USMC and USAF