I am transitioning from IRR to ANG after being off AD for less than a year. Do I really have to go through MEPS again?

Capt Erin Mires — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:34:33 -0400

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 6:54 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:54:21 -0400

I don't believe you do. If they need your MOS or somewhere within the state you are good to go.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 8:09 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:09:06 -0400

To my knowledge there should be no reason for you to go through MEPS again. Perhaps a physical, depending on the AFSC you're going for. For example, if you're going from a non flight position to a flight position, you may need a flight physical. Beyond that, I think you should be clear.

Response by 1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 8:29 PM

1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:29:14 -0400

Recruiting and retention can assist. I transitioned from AD to ANG after a 2 year break in service. Just contact the wing or unit recruiting office and they can assist.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 8:54 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:54:54 -0400

I'm not a recruiter, but I do work with ours frequently, I also come from the medical side of the house so familiar with the documents you have to gather.
Typically, if there is a break in service, members are required to go through MEPS. I am under the impression that IRR still counts unless you've completed your 8 yr commitment.
Of course, the advice to work with your recruiters is the best advice so far :)

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 11:13 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 23:13:34 -0400

Per AFI 48-123 any member who wishes to enter active duty after a break in service (understood to be active service in which you received regular physical examinations) must undergo an initial enlistment/commissioning/aviation physical (paragraph 3.1.8.2) For shorter breaks, a copy of the most recent physical exam with AF 422 would suffice. Hope that helps.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 9:25 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 09:25:37 -0400

I'm here in South Carolina and looked at the reserves and the Air National Guard here in South Carolina after a 17 year break after active duty. The Reserve Program made me go to MEPS before they would even discuss opportunities. The Air National Guard accepted me with no meps and no basic training. I simply had to go to technical school. This was back in 2009, so things might be different now.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 4 at 2015 12:13 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 00:13:07 -0400

Capt Erin Mires I was under the impression that if your physical was still considered current that you would be good to go. However, and I would keep this in mind ma'am, officer slots are significantly harder to come by in Guard Units, that being said, I would jump through whatever hoops they asked. Good luck.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 12:41 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 00:41:43 -0400

No ma'am you will just do a physical and medical stuff but not at MEPS I had a 11 year break and did not have to go back through MEPS again

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 1:34 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:34:57 -0400

I went from ANG to IRR (I thought at the time) but found out I was completely dropped when I found a Reserve unit I wanted to join (6 months after leaving the ANG). The reserves made me go through MEPS again.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Aug 4 at 2015 1:47 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:47:50 -0400

Most likely. The ANG is a different animal. When I left the ANG to transfer to the AF reserves, I actually got an Honorable Discharge certificate.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 4:37 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:37:03 -0400

Yes. I had to got three times. Active Enlisted, Guard Enlisted, and Active Officer.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 7:18 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 19:18:00 -0400

I was just told by the Air Reserve Recruiter, if you are in the IRR, you do not but the first thing they will do is give you a PHE(Periodic Health Exam?), which is the annual screening. Or if you have a current physical that can be reviewed by a military doctor, no MEPS, for me or you.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 12:29 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 12:29:53 -0400

Ma am', If your break is greater than 180 days then yes you will need an entrance physical. ANG med groups are no longer authorized to do entrance physicals but some still do I believe. Otherwise you will need to go back through MEPS. Your local ANG recruiter will be your best resource and expert for local policy.

Response by TSgt Patrick Doyle made Aug 5 at 2015 1:14 PM

TSgt Patrick Doyle — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 13:14:07 -0400

First thing to do is talk to the ANG recruter, I went from IRR to AFR I had to go see the local AFR recruitment office.

Response by SrA Geoffrey Ward made Aug 5 at 2015 2:16 PM

SrA Geoffrey Ward — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:16:38 -0400

I didn't have to. But I'm also not getting paid, nor do I have a CAC... I guess it takes 3-4 months before you're transferred to the guard from the ready reserves. I would say it's not worth it, I shouldn't have gone guard.

Response by MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA made Aug 5 at 2015 3:50 PM

MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 15:50:57 -0400

Capt Erin Mires, that may depend on what your duty status will be in the ANG. Normally your local medical group can handle the entire process. If you are going AGR, that may not be sufficient. I transitioned from AD to AFRES to ANG without having to go through MEPS, but when I was selected for an AGR tour, I had to go through the entire entry process at MEPS. Amazingly, the same doc that did my initial BMT physical 15 years earlier did my second exam at the ripe age of 84!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 9:43 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 21:43:43 -0400

It depends on if your last AF physical is within a certain time frame. That is what i recall, but some standards change

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 12:11 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 00:11:17 -0400

It used to be that MDG's could do enlistment physicals. This is no longer allowed and all enlistment physicals have to through MEPS. The MDG's can clear an applicant for transfer if they are within 180 days of separation from active duty and have the required documentation. Anything over 180 days, unfortunately has to go back to MEPS.

Any Air National Guard Recruiter can confirm this.

Good news is, MEPS should treat you better and give you priority since you are prior service. You're experience should be much better than the first time. (Although still not ideal) Good Luck!

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 12:07 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:07:00 -0400

Yes you have had a break in service and you medical status must be verified.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2015 1:11 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:11:15 -0400

KY ANG has a great flying unit and like many others have commented, the best course of action is to contact the Wing's recruiting office directly. Do you know anyone who is stationed at that base--would be helpful?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 3:14 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:14:55 -0400

Typically in the Air Guard you receive a physical every five years unless you are in flight status. Then it is every year. Unless there was something they are concerned about I am not sure why you would have to. It may be the recruiter who is trying to make their numbers look better by having you go through MEPS and there may not be another entity near your guard base that can perform a physical.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 5:16 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 May 2018 17:16:40 -0400

yes, I had NO break in service between my commission and my enlistment and still had to go through the entire meps process..

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Oct 1 at 2023 9:05 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 09:05:02 -0400

MEPS is the new name for induction center. Need to have them stay busy to keep in business so as to be ready if draft has to restart. Naturally, the services are guna send everyone possible to them.