Pres. Trump is planning on building up the military. Does anyone think that prior service will have more opportunities to re-enlist?

SPC Jason Moore — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 21:15:21 -0500

What is everyones opinions on this? Right now current Army business rules have greatly reduced opportunities to rejoin the service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2016 9:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 21:31:21 -0500

What he means by building the military up remains to be seen, especially given the fact that he's planning huge tax breaks. I'm inclined to believe that increased funding is more likely to be spent on modernization, than on boosting the number of troops serving.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2016 10:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 22:06:20 -0500

He wants to do a modest increase up to around 540,000. The SECDEF has already warned him of doing a sudden increase like we saw in the survey. We will probably see a slight bit of growth over the next few years, and not much need for prior service. Prior service is a poor substitute, financially. You're bringing someone back in who's skills have atrophied, but paying them the same as someone who's skills are current. There's never much incentive for the service to bring people back unless they are faced with a critical manning shortage.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Nov 22 at 2016 8:56 AM

MGySgt James Forward — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 08:56:49 -0500

It's not about Army business policies that reduced opportunities, you either get promoted to the next higher grade or you depart the pattern. For folks who did one or two tours and got out, there are still opportunities avail from prior Service recruiters. You may have to change your occupation to get back in. Don't limit yourself to one Service either. Semper Fi.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Nov 22 at 2016 10:13 AM

MAJ David Vermillion — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 10:13:06 -0500

Is he wanting numbers or quality retention. Turn over in the military is costly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2016 11:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 11:31:46 -0500

I hope so.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 22 at 2016 12:22 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:22:02 -0500

I think it is way to early to answer this question. In truth, unless there are major real World changes, a lot of the rebuilding will probably be things other than raising troop strength levels...but reread my initial comments.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Nov 22 at 2016 3:49 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:49:59 -0500

I hope so!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2016 3:54 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:54:48 -0500

Perhaps, but not right away. The services are so full of the "PC" crowd, I'm sure it will take time to change attitudes.

Response by PFC(P) Joshua Johnson made Nov 22 at 2016 10:24 PM

PFC(P) Joshua Johnson — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 22:24:16 -0500

I just recently got approved for reenlistment. I was active duty but now going guard. Waivers are wide open right now and the best way may be the National Guard for one year then going active. That's not based on fact, just my personal expierence.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 23 at 2016 12:45 AM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 00:45:46 -0500

possibly... they did during the Reagan Build UP

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2016 7:10 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 07:10:54 -0500

While it is too early to tell exactly what the President elect means by military build up, increased troop levels for the services will create more opportunities for prior service Soldiers to return to active duty which are very limited right now. An increase to troop levels likely will take place over several years, you cant grow the services overnight.

Response by Pvt Antonio Silveria made Jan 5 at 2017 2:31 PM

Pvt Antonio Silveria — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 14:31:27 -0500

I agree that being flexible on job choice as a prior service applicant would make sense. People would not be playing catch up with the current "way of doing things" if learning a new job, and one could carry over their rank in which they earned through previous terms of enlistment. Although; there is a dichotomy to this theory.
When researching which job to place a PS applicant in; along with the options available, and findings are that the job that a PS applicant is already trained in would only require a limited amount of training, then services should retrain that proven individual.
Those who are eligible to reenlist and got out early in their enlistment (maybe 1-2 years of service) should have the opportunity to be re trained since, in theory; their previous training is minimal already and they would essentially only be a small step ahead of a NPS recruit.
I hope the new administration gives those who are passionate about our country and military to get another chance at serving.
After all, our military is great because of the personnel within it.

Response by SGT Tj Wilder made Aug 25 at 2017 2:32 AM

SGT Tj Wilder — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 02:32:25 -0400

I etsed in 2013 as an E5 and just signed a new contract yesterday. Got to keep my stripes however had to reclass. I ship out in Oct. for 19K. It was pretty easy for me to come back in as prior service. And they are still looking for more prior service to put back in around my area.