Looking for wisdom and advice on enlisting after ten year hiatus.

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:30:43 -0400

I'm a former 97b who ets'd in 2004. A few months ago an active duty friend sent me the latest prior service business rules and an email from HRC. Apparently there is a shortage of 35l enlisted and warrants in the army and they are willing to take prior service specialists. So I've started the process of reenlistment. Unfortunately no one seems to have answers to my questions out here. The recruiters understandably are unfamiliar with my MOS because it is no longer available to initial entry soldiers and the liaisons at meps are unwilling to talk to me while I wait for my eye consult. I'm aware that I will have to attend basic training and AIT again, however, my preliminary research has hinted that prior service soldiers are treated differently. Any advice, pointers, wisdom, or AR's I could look up on these topics would be greatly appreciated.
Also, the 35l mos seems to be subject to an SMAPP. It states that upon award of the MOS that the grade of sergeant will be awarded. I have found that this has been in place since 2007. During that time I was in the IRR. My question is did that SMAPP apply to me during my time in the IRR? Am I currently considered mos qualified? Or does my mos qualification kick in after I finish the refresher course? Thank you in advance.
Sorry for any typos. I should have turned on my desk top instead of using the phone for this.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 13 at 2014 12:35 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:35:40 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I have a friend that works with recruiting I just texted him your question. As soon as responds I'll let you know.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2015 12:52 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 00:52:59 -0500

So here we go, update time.
No surprise, but after completing MEPS, assembling all the paperwork and heading back to MEPS thinking I was going to enlist, red tape happened.
Unsurprisingly, being out for ten years, means I'm no longer MOS qualified. Some obscure reg, says I can't reenlist for my original MOS. So, dejected, I left and started hunting for regs I know exist that cancel out the causing the problem. Found a 612 series reg that states that anyone with a break in service longer than three years has to attend basic and ait again, found the current SMAPP that authorizes the promotion to sergeant once I'm MOS qualified. Sent it up the chain and heard nothing. The new prior service business rules came out in January and 35l E-4 is still on the list. Recruiter suggested we send up a request for clarification since any specialist 35l would be in the same boat as me, there has been an SMAPP IN effect since 2007.
And we've heard nothing back in two months.
So someone mentioned calling my congressman. Not really the way I want to restart my career, but I'm at my wits end where to go from here.
My other option is to reenlist for another open MOS (currently 35p or 11x, ) which I'm not interested in and reclass back into 35l.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the formatting, typing on the phone.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 10:27 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 22:27:58 -0400

So three weeks ago I went to my congressman's office and told my story to the congressman's chief of staff (former navy I think). I provided copies of the regs I found, the prior service business rules for the last year, and wrote a three page letter outlining my last year trying to get back in.
So how long should I wait? I'm not expecting speed from the army or my congressman, but I'd like to get an answer.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 1:05 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:05:16 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Sgt, I believe you may be able to help this soldier out.