The First Step...

ReubenB said:
SITREP:
  • Thankfully I had a copy of TS/SCI SF-86 so the recruiter told me to disregard the watered down one they give newcomers
  • Had to dig up my ASVAB scores from OCT 2002. I was a HS JR. Surprised I did so well. Also learned if you join your scores are locked in. That is of course you decide to retake the ASVAB to get the ole GT Score up to snuff.
  • Requested copies of my official college transcripts be sent to the recruiter. Because me being an officer wasn't proof enough and considering I have to provide a letter indicating completion of ROTC.
  • Requested a copy of my Eagle Scout credentials. Trying to put the best foot forward to MEPS.
  • Started working on an applicant statement for MEPS. I was told by the recruiter it couldn't hurt to beg/persuade them to give me an 18X contract so fingers to the keyboard.
  • Had to dig up my OG birth certificate. The one the Army had all these years now isn't good enough. Funny how that works.
  • Writing my resignation letter to HRC time now.
Also if anyone can confirm or deny this possibility I would appreciate it: Is it possible to enlist as an E-5 18X? I am mentally and financially preparing to enter the Army again as an E-4 but if I can come back as SGT I wouldn't turn it down.

Although sharing with the E4 Mafia I'm married to CPT may have it's perks. :ROFLMAO:

Thank you all for being a part of this journey with me and your support. If there's any suggestions, comments, ideas, recommendations, whatever. I'd love to read them.
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Dude, I'm so confused.

I went USN to ARNG and all of my stuff was already on file. I had to give the recruiter paperwork for deers and that's it. Clearance and all my military schools transferred over.

Eagle Scout? ROTC paperwork? Man, I'd tell that guy to piss off and find another recruiter at a different station.
 
I wouldn't let a soul know what rank my wife was until I was finished with all my training.
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I fully intend not to say a word. Also part of the reason the reason I had my spouse maintain her maiden name & name tapes.

Dude, I'm so confused.
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You and me both. I can't blame the recruiter though. He wasn't my S1 or the civilian doing my paperwork when I was transitioning out of the Army. All he does is access whatever the system has my information in it. Thankfully I kept a copy or was able to get a hold of everything for myself.
 
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Freefalling said:
1. You can resign your commission or go into the IRR/ ING. I know guys who have done both with their bars. Some do it to go active as an enlisted, some to do it in the Guard/ Reserve as enlisted, some even change branches altogether. It is not that unusual.
2. As many here will testify, O time on an ODA is very, very finite. NCO time is almost forever.
3. O to NCO and then back to O? Possible, but unlikely. Maybe in the Guard, but on AD? I'd be surprised. Unless something's changed the AD side only opens SFAS to Officers in certain year groups (the year in which you commission). One possible reason to go enlisted is because you missed your YG window. Therefore you are unlikely to go back as an O, but maybe the Guard has a magical waiver.
4. Some folks realize that being an O "ain't what it's cracked up to be." Personally, I was happier as an NCO and looking at how the Support side changed post-9/11, I'd have gone Warrant, but that's water under the bridge. Bottom line, being an O can royally suck for some people in some environments. Those people still want to serve and the last time I checked, we'll always need good NCO's.
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I know one specific buddy of mine who...

was a 1LT in the guard, resigned comm
came to Batt, progressed to Sergeant
SFAS, AD Team time
recomissioned
Reg army O time, now an ODA CDR as an ossifer.

So, it can be done, just takes interesting circumstances and specific personal desires to flip-flop in that manner to do so.

of course, I also had a squad leader in Batt who was AD and resigned his comission before pinning Major to come to Batt as an NCO.
 
Don't know many jokes to be made about it, the individual in question is one of the most tactically brilliant individuals I've ever met and if he didn't like what he was doing, he went to do something else. Part of why he popped smoke on his first commission. I might actually have it wrong and that he bounced from/to officer ranks 3 times... System won't work for you, work the system. Can't blame him either, given the HRC goat rodeo he was having to deal with.
 
Today I finished turning in all paperwork to the local recruiting station. I'm convinced I didn't have to submit this much paperwork for my ROTC scholarship but I can't complain it is done. The E7 at the recruiting station mentioned to me his commander could not understand why I would want to do something like this. A few moments ago that same CO called me to ask some questions regarding my military history. He didn't ask me why but said he was going to support me getting what I want, 18x. He did mention that my packet will probably go before the next commander in the chain. Hopefully he has some positive history with SOF.

Now I wait to hear back from USAREC in regards to my rank determination. This is probably the #1 show stopper. If USAREC decides E5 over E4 my journey to 18x at least will come to a stop. I should know the outcome in the week.
 
ReubenB said:
<SNIP>
Now I wait to hear back from USAREC in regards to my rank determination. This is probably the #1 show stopper. If USAREC decides E5 over E4 my journey to 18x at least will come to a stop. I should know the outcome in the week.
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May I ask about this? on page-1 of this thread you told @pardus you would drop to E1 if it meant getting a chance for 18x, ("without hesitation" was your response) Why the change? Trust me, if I didn't ask, someone else would have.
 
I would. But unfortunately the choice is not up to me. Due to the new Business Rules of the Army prior service members can not change rank for the purpose of re-enlistment. Which is basically what I am asking them to do for me.

Determine my grade from O to E to be that of E4. I most cases of O to E, the O becomes an E5 or E6. I am asking E4 specifically to enlist as an 18x.

Link to USAREC MESSAGE 14-022
 
Quick SITREP to those following my long walk:

  • The recruiter I'm working with sent in my last SF physical. Apparently recruiting command was thinking I needed to take another physical at MEPs. Recruiter disagreed and scanned in my last SF physical.
  • Because of the delay on the physica (a waiver was submitted as well justifying that I did not need another physical) l I haven't received my grade determination. Yet.
  • I'm anticipating E5 as is the recruiter. But according to the recruiter despite an E5 grade determination I can still go to MEPS and try for 18x.
 
-going from O to E is unusual but not unheard-of. Going way-way back my grandfather got hit by the RIF after WWII and went from captain to master sergeant... in the same unit. More recently, I was in a collector school with a guy who had been an officer in Viet Nam, got hit by the RIF and went enlisted SF, and eventually became a warrant. One of the MI captains with me in 5th Group back in the day resigned his commission so he could go fly helicopters as a warrant.

-the "married to an officer" thing is a complete non-issue from a regulation standpoint. It is going to raise a lot of eyebrows, though. Haters gonna hate...
 
When I was in OSUT, we had a prior USMC O-3 who was a SPC/ 18X so it can be done.

Regarding equivalency, typically OCS is placed in par with WLC. A student in my CLT class had also attended USMC OCS (chose not to commission) and that's what HRC told him.

Best of luck to you.
 
ReubenB, I'll be taking a similar route as you, albeit from USMC Infantry O to NG SF enlisted. I've contacted two state NG SF units who have essentially said it's a fairly easy process (the admin side of it at least) to resign the commission, enlist, and then SFAS.

To be honest, I do it with a heavy heart because I love Marines. I got the opportunity to lead those guys in combat and go through the ups and downs of it. My chain of command recommended me for MARSOC, but like previously stated the officer time with a team is very limited, and the career path just isn't appealing to me. Being a company XO makes me realize I never want to be in a staff position again. I haven't dropped this one on to higher yet, but I'm sure I'll receive a heavy amount of raised eyebrows and skepticism.

Best of luck to you Reuben, hope you get what you're working towards!
 
What an interesting read. Been off the forum for a while. Good luck with everything. I had a prior service O come in as an E5 in my sopc class. Was selected as a delta at sfas, haven't seen or heard from him since.
 

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