He talked to a recruiter who told him that if he wants to re-enlist he'd have to go during the start of the AF fiscal year, and apply then since they only take so many pre-enlisted men per year. They also said that since he's been through Basic, he won't have to repeat it. He is 24 right now, healthy, and fit except for about twenty extra pounds. We know that losing the extra weight will be a benefit to him, but what else can he do between now and the next year start (next October, not this one) to better his chances of being accepted? This is a family tradition for him, almost all of his paternal family is in, and he really wants to get back in and succeed. I'd like to help in any way I can, so what can we do to get him in?
2007-07-27 03:37:30 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Okay, just to update, his "personal issues" are not ones that would stop him enjoying the military presently. These were family issues that are now resolved and unlikely to come up ever again. Thanks to those who suggested he talk to other recruiters, I may suggest that to him. Any other takers?
2007-07-27 05:07:33 · update #1
Hopefully I can help with that...
I am currently in the military (Army) but had a similar problem. I was in for four years and then got out to take care of some personal issues. I too found it quite difficult to re-enter the military. One of the reasons it is difficult is because the recruiters don't "receive credit" for re-enlisting prior service personnel so everything they do to prepare him for re-entry is unrewarded. Recruiters work on the reward system. They are given a monthly "Quota" that they must maintain or risk punishment. Because they aren't given credit for the work, they don't want to do it.
Some of the things that your guy can do to ease the re-entry are:
1) yes, definitely get back in shape
2) join the Air National Guard and then simply transition back into active status (slightly easier said than done)
3) Go to a different recruiting station - if the one he went to has not met mission they will not work with him at all. If he can find one that has met mission or nearly so, they will be much more willing to help him.
4) Politic - contact his old commanders/superiors and have them help 'pull' him throught he system.
Other than that all he can do is wait. One thing I will tell you is a definite lie - He does not have to wait until October 2008. The most he should have to wait is October 2007.
Good luck and don't stop trying.
2007-07-27 04:14:25 · answer #1 · answered by J N 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello, everyone has given good advice so far. I'd like to address the personal issues part. Now, I don't know what these personal issues are. I have seen many people get out of the military because of issues. Once out, they want back in. They seem to forget about why they got out in the first place. If they get back in, guess what? Same old crap and all they want is back out again. The military is not for everyone.
I totally applaud his desire to serve. However, if the military is not for him, he should not be pressured to re-join just because of tradition. He needs to find a career that will make him HAPPY. You can't live your life making others happy.
Again, I don't know the circumstances, so this could all be BS. I wish you both the very best and hope that he makes the best decision.
2007-07-27 11:22:43 · answer #2 · answered by hannibal61577 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Air Force is trying to cut back its active-duty enlisted force by 6.5 percent, going from 282,822 to 264,424 by the end of September 2007.
As part of that effort, the Air Force is encouraging airmen in some job specialties to cross train into undermanned career fields
in July 2006, only 37 jobs were offered bonuses. The jobs included enlisted aircrew members, air traffic controllers, vehicle operations, intelligence-related duties and a host of language specialties. Just two years before, 157 Air Force specialty codes carried re-enlistment bonuses.
he might try to get specialized training in some of the under maned career fields. this will help him jump right in and he will be in demand. tell him that linguistics is big right now if he can learn another language say something middle eastern he will be in high demand. what was his speacialty before he left?
2007-07-27 10:58:34 · answer #3 · answered by strike_eagle29 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest you have a look at your guy's DD-214 from his first tour of duty. If the re-enlistment code is RE-4 he can't get back in and he is handing you a real story.
Sorry if this comes across as cynical, but I've learned to put great faith in an old Chinese proverb:
"The valley of truth lies between the two mountains of information".
2007-07-27 12:37:35 · answer #4 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the weight off of him and hope for the best. The Air Force is downsizing, and they are having absolutely no problems meeting their recruitment goals. Tell your boyfriend to stay out of trouble and lose the weight and he has a slight chance. Personally if I were him I would be working on plan "B".
USAF Veteran
2007-07-27 10:41:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
sounds like he is really set on the air force. If he wants to stay in the air force he may have to wait till the fiscal year starts. But other branches will take prior service people and can ship them off for training really soon. we just got a few people in my unit (army) from the blue to green program (AF and navy changing to the army)
chris
2007-07-27 10:48:49 · answer #6 · answered by c_locklin@sbcglobal.net 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rule number one, don't beleive the recruiter. He probably pushed him back until the next fiscal year because he already has his qoutas filled until then. Have him go to this link and chat with someone and ask the questions his recruiter is feeding him BS on. https://secure.airforce.com/contact/
2007-07-27 10:49:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You didn't mention the "personal reason" and that's fair. I wasn't in the Air Force but the branch I was in (Army), if you were let out for "personal issues" you weren't going to be let back in.
2007-07-27 10:49:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋