I am transferring from the Guard to Active Duty. My recruiter said that I need to get in ASAP. Big Army made it's mission and may be closing prior service enlistments. So I took that with a grain of salt, because the recruiter said it.

I went to MEPS, 21 FEB 09, and two MEPS counselor said the same thing. Got me worried because didn't pass tape. The MEPS counselor said a couple more weeks and we may be closing prior service enlistments temporarily. I have my conditional release signed by the TAG and just need to wish away 2 more percent.

Has anyone else been told anything similiar? Also, the MEPS counselor came right out and said no bonuses. Has anyone else been told this? Or are there priority MOS's that may be bonus eligible?

I go to MEPS hopefully next FRI/SAT i'll let you guys know what I find out.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RakkasanDragon,

I signed up again on tues this week.

asvab scores all over 110 from 1991. had four job options commo 25u, supply 92y infantry 11x and 13f Fister.

Id gotten out in 95 and lost one rank ( still not sure how this effects me with regard to TIG on e-4 for e-5 boards, sure would appriciate clarification IE do I have to wait for 18 months as e-4 again or once I pin on e-4 I can goto the board since I had 25 months prior e-4 TIG)

totally no bonus or college program.

when I questioned getting 21b and retaining my rank or going in my old MOS 91b I was told flat out, either sign or walk cause that was all there is. If I decide to walk and wait it would be very likely there would be Zero combat arms and MAYBE one mos option. within the week.

You had to pick from a list? That sucks. What were your choices for how many years you had to reenlist for?

Wow, sounds like they are really tightening the reins. I am going to consider myself fortunate that I got in when I did.

I am curious also what enlistment time you picked?

I was told 3 years no more no less... IE I couldnt take 6 years for a bonus or anything..

the real ****er is I have ZERO criminal record, no art-15s etc...

two guys a week before got in with DUIs got thier job choice and a BONUS as prior service army.

IM staying positive about it though. I figured at 36 this saturday and having 14 years construction management exp I shouldnt have too much of a wait for e-4 again and hopefully not long for e-5 after that. My friends/family are realy ****ed about it though. prior service gulf 1 vet getting the big green weenie for wanting to come back in.

I did a quick web search and that there appears to be nothing that conclusively says the Army is closing enlistments to PS. Now let's take a look at what's going on right now. The High School kids are going and they have always been priority. The PS guys were allowed to re-enlist in order to help fill the quota when times were really tough and the recruiting numbers were low. In essence they were just another sandbag. In addition, the economy while improving, is still strongly in the negative. People are still not finding work and there is a ratio of 5:1 for those applying to the same job on average than the normal 2.5:1 (web source this week). Thereby the situation forces those not able to make a living right out of school to go the secure military route. Any recruiter in a low income urban area will tell you that numbers are high. Also, this time of year with the surge of the kids, bonuses, choices, ect...have always been skimpy. Wait 3 months, the situation will be different. Also, as the Iraq confrontation winds down, you will see an implosion of soldiers with multiple tours getting out. There are alot of military men and women that have had enough. Those spots will need to be filled. As long as Afghanistan continues, the chance of PS being able to get in will exist. As soon as the econmoy ramps up, the recruiters will once again have their hands full trying to get the numbers in order. It's a corporate favored world right now, anyone who needs a hand, have their pick of the litter. Most of what I have said can be confirmed by doing your own research here and on the web. The main thing to always remember is to be ready to go at a minutes notice. If you are then you'll be able to step through that swinging door when the time comes and there won't be any hangups...keep your powder dry.

I just looked at the latest version of the in/out calls for the Army and there are many MOS's that are under shortage. More than the 4 they offered you. I think MEPS is playing with a loaded deck.

Army IN/OUT Calls as of 30 JAN 09

quote:

Originally posted by sawdustnsteel:
I signed up again on tues this week.

asvab scores all over 110 from 1991. had four job options commo 25u, supply 92y infantry 11x and 13f Fister.

Id gotten out in 95 and lost one rank ( still not sure how this effects me with regard to TIG on e-4 for e-5 boards, sure would appriciate clarification IE do I have to wait for 18 months as e-4 again or once I pin on e-4 I can goto the board since I had 25 months prior e-4 TIG)

totally no bonus or college program.

when I questioned getting 21b and retaining my rank or going in my old MOS 91b I was told flat out, either sign or walk cause that was all there is. If I decide to walk and wait it would be very likely there would be Zero combat arms and MAYBE one mos option. within the week.

Bear in mind, too, anything with a blue "Y" on the attachment above at your rank is understrength, as of 30Jan09. That doesn't mean that they STILL are, a lot of factors will change availability, too (location, recruitment, etc).

The question becomes whether or not you're going to put limitations on your reenlistment. Personally, I would take any MOS to get back in, unfortunately, I'm an RE3 for two DUI's 15 and 19 years ago and have been told I am ineligible based on the need for a CG level waiver.

Best of luck to you...

I understand your point. However, I am trying to take control of my career. As it sits I could stay with the guard hopefully go to 25B AIT this summer and go active after our vacation to Afganistan next year. As people get out there will be more options, hopefully. The situation right now may be no bonus/no MOS choices. This could all change due to a surge, or pepole getting out. I'll ride it out as long as I can afford to.

quote:

Originally posted by Sydspop:
Bear in mind, too, anything with a blue "Y" on the attachment above at your rank is understrength, as of 30Jan09. That doesn't mean that they STILL are, a lot of factors will change availability, too (location, recruitment, etc).

The question becomes whether or not you're going to put limitations on your reenlistment. Personally, I would take any MOS to get back in, unfortunately, I'm an RE3 for two DUI's 15 and 19 years ago and have been told I am ineligible based on the need for a CG level waiver.

Best of luck to you...

personally I wouldnt count too much on a surge to get out atm. I think most active army are well aware of the current state of the economy and how scarce jobs are.

factoring the amount who are retiring soon id think that number to be rather small. ( there doesnt seem to be many 20 year career military )

quote:

Originally posted by sawdustnsteel:

IM staying positive about it though. I figured at 36 this saturday and having 14 years construction management exp I shouldnt have too much of a wait for e-4 again and hopefully not long for e-5 after that. My friends/family are realy ****ed about it though. prior service gulf 1 vet getting the big green weenie for wanting to come back in.

If you don't mind me asking...

Why are you expecting to enlist as a E4 after a more then 12 year break in service? I am just curious is all.

In regards to the OP of this thread. I've never seen enlistments for Prior Service close all by themselves. They close the waivers for Prior Service but I've never seen the Army say no Prior Service but we'll still take initial entry.

Usually if they close for no waiver Prior Service then it's closed for no waiver Initial Entry as well. I could be wrong on this because it's been a long time for me but I'm pretty confident I am correct. What your probably seeing is Initial Entry in the DEP is not dropping out at the rates (becomming a DEP LOSS) that they forecasted. The Advantage of Initial Entry being in the DEP is they are in the Reserves already whereas Prior Service is not.

As far as closing MOS' except for a small list this happened last year about this time as well because of the Summer Surge of High School Students. They do actually close Infantry as well if your National Guard for both Prior Service and Initial Entry. They closed Infantry across the board last year in April or May I believe....they can only train so much at Ft. Benning in the Summer and I believe they had folks wait listed. They can also do that with Initial Entry because they are living at home on their Parents dime and also again in the DEP. They told Prior Service to come back in October (last year).

They close Infantry for National Guard because the States become overstrength. Happened to my Nephew in 2007, he returned to his unit after Infantry OSUT and was told they filled up the Infantry slots and because he was Initial Entry with no past experience and no civilian job, he was picked to reclass and had to select from a short list of reclass MOS' that the State needed, that happened in both Vermont and Wisconsin in 2007 (that was also from me reading the NG Forums on this website.....not just my Nephew). My Nephew started AIT version 2 about 6 months after graduating Infantry OSUT. He went to Ft. Gordon for his second AIT. All told he spend a full year on Active Duty training for the NG. Once for 11B and second time for 94F. So there is an example of Initial Entry getting the shaft. The NG would not normally do that to Prior Service because they are usually established with a family and with leave from a civilian job.

All this stuff happens because it is really tough to forecast retention rates in the DEP as well as with existing enlisted Soldiers. Recruiting tries to fill the gaps of ETS, DEP LOSS as well as expanding the force. So thats the story there.

quote:

Originally posted by ErichG2:


If you don't mind me asking...

Why are you expecting to enlist as a E4 after a more then 12 year break in service? I am just curious is all.

my friends and family took it more in line of " you've done well as a civilian and wouldnt the army WANT soldiers back in with years ctive duty and years as a contributing member of society? taking thier rank seems to show the army really doesnt want PS vets."

Im rather at ease about it myself. I cant think the army doesnt promote squared away soldiers so all I have to do is exactly what I re joined for, keep my stuff together and excel at my job.

quote:

Originally posted by sawdustnsteel:

my friends and family took it more in line of " you've done well as a civilian and wouldnt the army WANT soldiers back in with years ctive duty and years as a contributing member of society? taking thier rank seems to show the army really doesnt want PS vets."

Im rather at ease about it myself. I cant think the army doesnt promote squared away soldiers so all I have to do is exactly what I re joined for, keep my stuff together and excel at my job.

OK, gotcha. I thought you felt you were being taken advantage of at the MEPS with your rank. I think your right on about the doing your job and getting promoted well thing. Remember that a lot of the initial entry recruits are not really mature or focused on a career....they just wanted to get out of their Parents house and get a start on life. So that is a large part of your competition for promotion.

On the MEPS issue...

It sometimes happens at the MEPS because of time, they screw you on the rank issue or the College Benefits. It happened to me in 1984 because of everyone enlisting then and the push to get folks shipped.

You can sometimes fix it later if that is the case. The MEPS word is not final on anything.....just final on your enlistment into the Army. That is the limit of their jurisdiction. Once you are in the Army you can fix some of what the MEPS does wrong or screws up.

So in my case, I got screwed on the College Fund and the rank for College Credits issue in 1984, I just told them to ship me and I'd figure it out later.

I fixed the rank for college credits issue via the Army Board of Military Corrections, they backdated my rank and gave me all the backpay. I fixed the lack of a College Fund by walking over to the Education Center on post at 2AD in Germany and they told me that the College Fund was open to enrollment up to the first 6 months or so of enlistment. So we filled out the paperwork there and I got the college fund after the MEPS (this was the 1984 version of the College Fund).

So, I'm not saying this can be done in 2009 but it's proof positive to me that some of the MEPS enlistment bene's can be obtained later.....in some cases.

If it happens to anyone here, look into fixing this stuff after you get to your first duty station. Not a guarantee that you can fix it but on the other hand....if you never try, you'll never know.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ErichG2,

IF MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER : 08-284
is still in effect im eligible for 2k EB as PS ( section L)

I figured Id take it to bat s-1 when I get to Perm party.

I got three future soldiers signing in so not too concerned about a bonus since I get a bit for each of them.

quote:

Originally posted by sawdustnsteel:
IF MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER : 08-284
is still in effect im eligible for 2k EB as PS ( section L)

I figured Id take it to bat s-1 when I get to Perm party.

I got three future soldiers signing in so not too concerned about a bonus since I get a bit for each of them.

Good Luck on the bonus, I've never seen one of those redone but if the regs say you earn it at enlistment and you can prove your qualified but did not recieve it, they should pay it.

It's cool being enlisted with another family member, my younger brother enlisted in the 1980's shortly after me, same MOS. You can have a family get together and it won't be like your an alien from another planet.....for one.

So Good Luck!

BTW, status on Recruiting:

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12545

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ErichG2,

Perhaps your Recruiter just wants you to sign up right away under him?

AS of right now, there has been lots of speculations, and barracks rumors concering the Army exceeding enlistment strength. There has not been any TRADOC, NGB, USARC, USAREC messages to support this.

As a matter of fact... new regulations are coming out to support WTC.

It's WTC, or go back to BCT, but either way, we do want prior service members.

Ive got to report to station today. Ill ask and see if I can find out more on the rumor mill. hopefully I can get my AKO set up.

( FYI PS with a break in service, you may have problems getting your AKO up )

Straight out of my recruiter's mouth. "Prior service enlistments are closing down officially on APR 8th." I have to have my grade waiver and dual military waiver approved no later than that day or no Army for me. I am still waiting on BUPERS to approve my early out and reset my EAOS to Sept. It's not lookin so good for me.......

might consider extending in whatever branch your in for now. seems a break in service is what hoses most with rank and MOS selection. plus there really isnt anything for jobs in the civiy market.

Well my actual EAOS isnt until 3 june 2010. But I have asked the Navy for a 10 month early out so I could go blue to green. I am still waiting on approval but if it does get approved my contract will end on 3 sept. and if I cant get into the Army an extension will not be approved after asking for 10 months early out. Hopefully after the summer rush the Army will reopen prior service enlistments and I will be OK but if they dont I'm gonna be unemployed!