If you were enlisted and got out, would you consider going back in as an Officer?

SGT Larry Prentice — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:23:43 -0400

I retired in 2011 and now that I have a Bachelors I am thinking about getting back in as an Officer. Whats your thoughts on this?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 8:28 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:28:17 -0400

Nope.

Response by SGT Stephen Gober made Oct 23 at 2015 8:30 AM

SGT Stephen Gober — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:30:05 -0400

Never

Response by SSG Jamil Spruill made Oct 23 at 2015 8:31 AM

SSG Jamil Spruill — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:31:12 -0400

I don't think I would either after so many years building that enlisted connection with soldiers, the money is better but in the end I'm not gonna give up and my soldiering capabilities to sit in meetings and constantly be swamped with paperwork, plus doing so is like starting the climb in rank all over again

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 23 at 2015 8:35 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:35:17 -0400

SGT Larry Prentice not at all in a life time. The NCO Corps is what made me into a solid Soldier and taught me about life. Simply " No one is more professional than I, I am an Noncommisoned Officer for life.

Response by SGT Edward Wyatt made Oct 23 at 2015 8:36 AM

SGT Edward Wyatt — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:36:12 -0400

Nope

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Oct 23 at 2015 8:44 AM

SGT Tim Tobin — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:44:01 -0400

I would go back in a hot minute but my time is over. I will be 64 next month.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 8:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:59:16 -0400

Honestly? Do it. But, know that if you went back in as an officer, your MOS is not promised. I think warrant would be a better route. I was a civilian for less than a year and couldn't stand being out. So I joined the guard. Now I want to go active. If I had the chance to go officer, I would. Good luck

Response by SGT Christina Barron made Oct 23 at 2015 9:04 AM

SGT Christina Barron — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 09:04:58 -0400

If you were in long enough to actually retire 4 years ago, you will be getting very close to the commissioning age limit. Even with prior service time, unless you are going into a high-demand branch like nursing, with cutbacks, they aren't granting age waivers. And, even in nursing, there is an ultimate age above which they won't grant a waiver.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 9:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 09:08:42 -0400

Never

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 11:13 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:13:07 -0400

I actually did this. I was enlisted for 6 years, got out, finished by Bachelors and Masters degrees and came back in as a Chaplain. I love it, and the extra pay is not too shabby. All that being said, it's very difficult to come back on active duty once you have retired. As someone else said, there are ultimate age limits, even with prior service. Your best bet would be to talk to an officer recruiter who knows the current regulations and can give you up to date advice.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 11:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:38:29 -0400

I also have a degree but what u r going to find out is we have a thing in the military called age discrimination it sucks bit that is what u will be up against I assume ur at least 40

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Oct 23 at 2015 1:52 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:52:41 -0400

No, I would have to give up all my map reading skills.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 3:47 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 15:47:37 -0400

I am biased but Warrant is the more appropriate path, IMO, primarily due to the age restrictions for OCS.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 23 at 2015 3:50 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 15:50:38 -0400

I'd be happy as hell just to get back in....enlisted would make me happier than hell. Now not sure what VA would say about this...

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Oct 23 at 2015 5:23 PM

SGT Stanley Bass — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 17:23:47 -0400

When I was in I thought about Warrant officer, but did not peruse it. I know that when I was in if you went green to gold. You want to OCS and then the military said ok we paid for your school now you owe us X amount of years. It would be something to look at. Questions to consider would be. How much more Schooling would The Military have to pay for, and how much time would I have to spend before I could retire again. Also how much of your previous service would count. Meaning After OCS you would be a 2LT or a 1Lt or Captain, with all those years already in. Does your time start over, and how many years in that grade will they give you to advance to the next grade. With all that said. I remember at my first duty station we had a Captain that had went green to gold, he was up for Major and it was his 3rd time, if he did not make it this time He would have to go back to enlisted and being an E-6. Just things to think about which i am sure you already have. But go for it

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 7:39 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:39:35 -0400

That was my path. That is why I am a 47-year old Captain. Worse yet, that is why I was a 44-year old 1LT. I brought 100% of my E-6(P) with me (after a 9-year break in service) and try to influence my fellow Officers (especially on the AMEDD side) to reflect proper Military Bearing as I would mentor Junior Enlisted when I had that responsibility. I do find myself more hands-on with Soldiers than most of the other Officers, which I attribute to my NCO experience.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Oct 24 at 2015 8:16 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 08:16:38 -0400

I would, and I did. No regrets.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Oct 24 at 2015 8:37 PM

SGT Felicia King — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:37:59 -0400

I personally wouldn't because I've been out too long. But had you not gotten out already you could have just went straight OCS. I know one of my old NCOs went OCS and reclassified from MP to Infantry. Not sure if he made SGM, but he did make 1SG. Those are the kind of officers you want. He still got his drill sergeant mentality also LOL

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made Oct 26 at 2015 9:30 AM

SGT Cody Skinner — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 09:30:07 -0400

No, I couldn't do it even if the pay is better. I need to be working with SM and not sitting in meetings. Even when we had an LT we wanted around or who had decent impute it always seemed like they were in a planning meeting with the other Officers. It's hard to lead from behind a desk and/or from behind closed doors in meetings.

Response by SGT Dan Finnegan made Oct 26 at 2015 10:09 PM

SGT Dan Finnegan — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 22:09:38 -0400

No.
If I went back in, I would want to be holding a rifle again, and using it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 7:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 19:41:07 -0400

I Would Never Go officer, warrant yes. But I love the NCO

Response by SP5 Joel McDargh made Oct 29 at 2015 12:35 AM

SP5 Joel McDargh — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 00:35:08 -0400

Nothing wrong with that. Experience is a commodity we all could stand to learn from.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 2:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:44:05 -0400

I would, yes, BUT, I would NOT be like some of the second lt to 1st lts. I've seen become real butt heads because once they got promoted, flaunted their rank and became something I felt they really were not. I could not do that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 29 at 2015 3:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 15:49:27 -0400

Yes, only after I was able to answer who will take that bloody hill.

Response by Cpl Terry Fowler made Oct 30 at 2015 6:50 PM

Cpl Terry Fowler — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 18:50:06 -0400

Go for it You have advanced your education and you have earned the privilege

Response by SGT Joseph Schmalzel made Oct 30 at 2015 7:12 PM

SGT Joseph Schmalzel — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 19:12:30 -0400

If you can then do. Personally I would rather have a job as a warrant. Instead of paperwork and politics as an O.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 10:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 22:03:50 -0500

Have you put any thought into going warrant instead of officer? Best of Both worlds depending on what your MOS is.

Response by Cpl Brian Golder made Nov 2 at 2015 10:17 PM

Cpl Brian Golder — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 22:17:23 -0500

While in college I briefly considered it, but was too far along to go Army ROTC.

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Nov 2 at 2015 10:56 PM

PO1 Cameron Rhyne — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 22:56:45 -0500

If I were to go back in, I'd seriously consider it. With that being said, it's extremely unlikely I will ever go back at this point. I did my time, got what I wanted out of it and I'm done.

Response by MAJ Glenn Bergeron made Nov 2 at 2015 11:26 PM

MAJ Glenn Bergeron — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 23:26:26 -0500

Some might feel my answer is a neutral answer, but follow your head/heart (cue REO Speewagon) /intuition! It's your life and career! For every pro someone offers someone else can offer a con and vice versa. Take all the input and make a decision.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 3 at 2015 6:03 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 06:03:17 -0500

Yes, but Age, time out & HYT issues.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 3 at 2015 8:05 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:05:58 -0500

If you retired, I do not think you are eligible to come in as a Commissioned or Warrant Officer. The only real way to return is to be called back. Theoretically, you could process to return but the will end up throwing in the towel before you complete the process.
The only exception to this is if you are a Doctor of Divinity or a MD/DO. If you are right medical specialty, pretty much every rule can be waived...and for the record, if you look at AR 601-210, it does state every rule can be waived.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 3 at 2015 8:36 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:36:07 -0500

I would, and I did...now saying that, I was doing my college while I was in the Army National Guard. Got done with college and looked for my commission. Army was kicking nurses out in 1997/98, so I went looking to the Air Force. They picked me up. My "separation" was all of about 2 seconds..... just jumped branches. My NCO experience was helpful in keeping my 2LT Butt out of trouble, I got OE Pay, and the retirement will be higher than if I had retired Enlisted. Worth looking into!!

Response by SGT William Howell made Nov 3 at 2015 9:08 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 09:08:49 -0500

Before you can go officer don't you have to have surgery that takes the part of your brain out that can read maps or can you jump strait to CPT?

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Nov 3 at 2015 9:27 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 09:27:47 -0500

If it was possible yes I would, but then again, I would go back in enlisted if called upon to do so.

Response by SSG Genaro Negrete made Nov 3 at 2015 10:02 AM

SSG Genaro Negrete — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:02:43 -0500

I think it's a trade off. Being an NCO and seeing a small portion of the officer world, a commission never really interested me. I'd prefer to do NCO duties. It's hard to argue with the financial opportunities though. Would you try to get back into the same field as when you were enlisted?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 3 at 2015 10:50 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:50:13 -0500

I am still considering it. Out of selfishness, I wouldn't do it unless it was in a field I wanted.

Response by PO3 Matthew Thompson made Nov 3 at 2015 10:52 AM

PO3 Matthew Thompson — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:52:55 -0500

Larry, Ironically I had been having that very same thought, although, I am now 41 and been out of the Navy since 96 (almost 20 yrs). Considering your recent enlisted experiences, you may be able to relate better/differently in guiding those coming up the ranks. I only just graduated a few months back, howver, if I were younger, may have opted to return to service as an officer. If you have the option, take it!

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 3 at 2015 12:09 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 12:09:56 -0500

Yes I would definitely go back in as an officer for just the pay alone makes a huge difference.

Response by CW2 Eric Scott made Nov 3 at 2015 8:39 PM

CW2 Eric Scott — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 20:39:30 -0500

I was an NCO prior to becoming a Warrant Officer. Aside from the jokes about getting suddenly lost in the woods once you went to ROTC if you're thinking about becoming a commissioned officer understand the good things that come with that position...and the bad ones that may not be visible to you yet. I would do a lot of research on this before you step on your crank.

Response by SGT Shawn Volkmann made Nov 8 at 2015 5:09 PM

SGT Shawn Volkmann — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:09:55 -0500

I would. I miss the military. I'm sick of having to prove everything that I have done. Not to mention that when I was in I was a victim of identity theft. It's made civilian life a bit rough on me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2016 8:53 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 20:53:08 -0500

I would and I did. I got out of the Army twice. The third time I came back I went to OCS. I greatly enjoy being an officer. I cherish my time as an NCO and I wouldn't degrade any NCO but I feel that I was ready for another challenge. It was a great decision and I don't regret it one bit.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 11 at 2016 8:45 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 08:45:35 -0500

Yes I would.

Response by LTC Marc King made Jan 20 at 2018 7:53 AM

LTC Marc King — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 07:53:02 -0500

This is an individual decision that only you can make. It is as much a calling as it is a job. Your background and experience will always be a benefit to young soldiers and older officers... if you have that “fire in your belly” do it. If it’s an alternative to finding employment check out InDeed... it could be your better option! Good luck no matter what path you take.