We are conducting a new poll among all of our veteran readers to see how many of you have ever re-enlisted.
Please let us know below!
And if you have ever re-enlisted, we’d love to hear what the reason was in the comments down below.
We are conducting a new poll among all of our veteran readers to see how many of you have ever re-enlisted.
Please let us know below!
And if you have ever re-enlisted, we’d love to hear what the reason was in the comments down below.
joined Navy Reserves when I was 17 . When it came time to go active they gave me a honorable dis[charge. because I didnt weigh enough . So I went to my doctor and asked him how i could gain weight. It took a few months but I final gain enough to try to reenlist . When I went to the physical to reenlist it was the same doctor so he told me he would pass me .
That was one of the best things that I ever done . Served on the USS Massey DD 778 for 4 years.
went around the world. with a stop in Vietnam in 1966
I liked being in the Air Force. Several reasons for renelisting twice before being accepted to AECP. However one of the main reasons was the promise of life time free medical care for myself and my family. Which of course is a promise that was not kept.
I did 23 years USAF.. I LOVED my time there. Got to travel and serve my country, I got out at that point because I’d already done Vietnam, so when Kuwait came along… I figured one good war was enough., I didn’t want to push my luck after surviving one trip where they were shooting at me.
I served 33 years in the US Army, and had many reinlistments, but I think the most memorable was. Here i was in Texas Army National Guard and on stop loss in Iraq. When the Governor of Texas comes to visit the troops, he sworer me in Iraq. When he asks if there was any thing he could do for me, I I replied just to please let my wife know what I had done without consulting her. He did call her himself.
I served in the military , retired 20 plus years… In the United States Marine corps to your strong United States Army – National Guard and Army Reserve … Should of stayed in USMC , I never experience so much racial and prejudice in my whole life till I joined ARMY… And mostly on stateside , after I started climbing up the ranks … Plus having leadership positions … While – I retire was given a lower rank than I served… Asked for copies of orders of my promotions plus ribbons and awards and not all was sent or given to me… Even so ! I am proud to serve my country and God bless America !!!
I worked on aircraft and looked for a job at airports when my wife was pregnant. “Don’t call us we’ll call you”. Glad I reenlisted. Did over 20 yrs and moved around.
It was an unemotional decision based on pragmatic economics. The military offered me job of choice, structured promotion potential, an excellent retirement package (at the time it was high-3 of 50 percent of my base pay) and continuing education possibilities while providing health care. I didn’t love every day,, but I served every day.
After 6 years was a good career move even though the pay wasn’t the best.
I was married with one child. This is all I knew how to do. There was no other option for me. This was the best was to support my family for the next 30 years and achieving the rank Sergeant Major in the United States Marine Corps.
Joe R Garcia,
SgtMaj (Ret) USMC
I reuped to use my apprenticeship from first 3 years and was sent to Korea to create a inner support system for a top secret surveillance system monitoring the DMZ in South Korea, after which I entered a military interrogation course at Ft Lewis Wa. which has left a permanent damage in my life where our government has opened my eyes to the truth of corruption in government offices to erase the damages to ones soul. DuPont and the power of corruption for sale, I have notorized statements from 2 employees and 1 subcontractor who were in South Korea as all 3 gave notorized statements in reference to disposed of agent orange and after dumping it around barracks in water ways. So after submitting my evidence for disability and being denied I decided to speak on behalf of veterans and exemption of real estate taxes for certain veterans upon which I was verbally attacked for sharing this information which triggered a veteran to confront the township in reference to taking and selling his land for unpaid taxes which by law was illegal, but after 3 years of not challenged and resolved let the wrong doer or government officials off the hook, UNTIL THAT VETERAN RETURNED TO A TOWNSHIP MEETING AND KILLED ALL OFFICIALS AS JUSTICE WAS SERVED.
This happened in PA didn’t it???
Dee
USN/Retired
I wanted to see more of the world
Yes!
Ranks up there with Best Decisions I’ve ever made!
25 Yrs – Retired!
I was Active duty USAF from 86 to 1990.
I was out for 13½ years.
After 9/11 Join USNR SeaBees.
Note: My Dad was Air Force from 1960 to 1994.
When I exited the military in 1991, the option to re-enlist was not available, nor was the option to enroll in reserve duty.
Had it been available, I believe I would have re-enlisted and possibly made it a career until retirement. Sometimes you need a break from things to gain a different perspective and appreciation of what life has to offer.
I reenlisted a number of times in my 25 years in the Navy. I retired as a Chief Petty Officer. I did a lot in those years, spanning from Vietnam to Desert Storm, on the West Coast as well as the East Coast, through many schools as well as becoming an instructor, and sailing aboard the USS Forrestal CV59, USS America CV66, USS Eisenhower CVN69, and became a plankowner of the USS Washington CVN73. Thanks to the Navy, I have set foot on every continent in the world except Antarctica. Many people are envious of the places I have been and things I have seen. What a life I have had! BUPERS told me that I HAD to retire when they drew down the numbers in the 80’s one year after I went back to sea duty. If I had known that, I could have retired from shore duty. They gave me one year to get my affairs in order and a firm date to retire. I asked for a waiver (I was a division chief helping build the George Washington at the time) and endorsements all the way through CNAL to no avail.
Twice!!!!
2 times 1974-1987
I spent 25 yrs in the service, 3 in the US ARMY, 22yrs in the US AIR FORCE, i loved it and i would do it again, it some of the best time in my life. I did a tour in Viet-Nam 1968-1969 US ARMY then outin 1971. then in the US AIR FORCE 1971-1993 . S/SGT.
I served for 28 years + in the Navy, but marked “NO” because officers don’t enlist, they just continue on active duty. I would expect some more “NO”s would fall in the same category.
Enlisted 01JUL1999 and 24 years later going through Medical Retirement. Yes, re-enlisted several times, but the Army I Enlisted into over 20 years ago isn’t the army I’m serving in today 😞
I finished my first enlistment serving in 3rd SFG Abn. I reinlisted in the Reserves with 12th SFG. and was able to continue Serving doing what I enjoyed and believed in.. Served 33 plus years most;y in Special Operations.
2nd time I’ve done this poll. I had to re-up a number of times, until my retirement at 22 years.
My dad was in 25 years and was a Nautilus plank owner and an Iwo Jima vet! I did 28 Active and Reserve as a Master at Arms.
Yes, I re-enlisted to fulfill active duty time.
I was in the Navy for 21 years. My son enlisted when he was getting ready to graduate from high school. We were both a part of Desert Storm and we were on 2 different ships.
Enlisted in 1980 and reenlisted in 1984 didn’t Like my first command so I moved on to the USS Enterprise loved it retired
I went into the Air Force in 1969 and served 21 years. I reenlisted 4 times and truth be known I’d do it again. Met my wife in 1974 at Andrews AFB. I’ve had a great life.
Re-enlisted in the Marine Corps in the early 80’s until the Reduction in Force, then went into the TN Army National Guard and re enlisted until I got my 21 years and my twenty year letter. Greatly enjoyed my time in the military and would not trade it for anything.
Yes, I reenlisted and worked my way up to Technical Sergeant in the USAF (Air National Guard). I was honored to be selected for Officers Training and was commissioned in 1980. My Air Force Service has allowed me to obtain three college degrees through the G.I. Bill primarily.
The best job I had was serving as a professor at the USAF Air War College (AWC) my last two years of service. The AWC is located on Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL. I retired in 2001 after 31 years of service about half of it was in the reserve component and half on active duty.
Respectfully,
Robert D. Shanks Jr., PhD
Col. USAFR (Ret.)
I reenlisted when my husband did and we were in for 22 years
I was in medical corps, USNR. First tour was 2 yrs of active duty, per contract ( the Berry Plan). Loved the Navy. After 14 yrs. In civilian medicine, I applied for a new commission! Went back in, finished total of 20 yrs. Recalled to active duty for Desert Storm. Retired as a Captain at the age of 63!
It’s what AMERICANs do, Thats the AMERICAN way, opertunity, education
travel, experiance, FREEDOM !
I joined right out of high-school, as growing up I got a girl pregnant so I got a job at the local grocery store parkers supervalue. I worked the cash register, stocking, produce, meat room, clean and mop floors along with waxing and buffing floors . Come in on Saturdays too help unload trucks. I worked from 15 too 16. That job Mr. parker and his son al parker trained me too be a man. Finish school I joined the army 1994. First duty station I went to Mannheim Germany as a 92y 10 and traveled to many places, got to see Amsterdam, went to October fest in Munich. I did two years in Germany, we deployed to hungary for 12 months, i returned to germany cause i couldnt stay in germany but two years as single wanted to stay and wished i did. I reenlisted for ft. Stewart ga. We deployed to iraq for six months, while there in Iraq we was locked in a building and forced to take those Anthrax vaccines total of six shots . And I did four years there in ft.stewart ga . Got out of army after four years from there got in army reserves deployed to qatar iraq for seven months hadcto tahe a booster shot of Anthrax vaccines, did three years went back in prior service changed Mos to 88mike combat truck driver from ait went to Ft. Riley KS. Soon as we got their the unit was headed to q west Iraq plus another booster shot of Anthrax vaccines and that was my fourth deployment i reenlisted again in iraq to go ahead to max out to do twenty. Got hit by i.e.d. had a stroke out there I was shipped to Landstuhl germany, there I was rehab back into shape cause my commander and 1st sergeant wanted me to come back to iraq and that what happen got better but still was feeling down. I was shipped back to q west Iraq to finish a total of 18 months. Came back to America. After this deployed my health got real bad couldn’t handle all the abuse as to the body and mind anymore so my health I had no choice but to come out couldn’t keep up exercising. I’m out now but still wish I was in, I really miss the army cause my mind and body soul loves that shit if I can do it all over again I will change not a thing about it. Hooah army of one
I reenlist because it was enjoyable and I enjoyed traveling different places. Save some money as well.
I re-enlisted the first and second times because President Reagan was in office, unemployment was in double-digits, and there were no jobs. By the time my second enlistment was up I was in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm on “Stop Loss.” I re-enlisted the third time when I returned from Desert Storm because I had over 11 years of service at that point and it made sense to finish the remaining nine years and make it a career.
My wife reenlisted in the Women’s Army Corps because it was a way for her to transfer from Fort McLellon, where she underwent basic and was harrassed and stalked by a male sergeant on the base. She was reassigned to Fort Sam Houston where she met me. We’ve been married for 55 years.
I reenlisted due to the fact that there was a shortage on my job-discription in the U.S. Coast Guard. My rating had a two-time rating which means if I reenlisted “up to 6 years” that my bonus would be 2x the final figure and that would be my bonus. I signed up for 6 years and received a 2x bonus. The Coast Guard paid me a nice sum for my services and I got to choose where in America I could serve. How nice is that ? SEMPER PARATUS !!
I didn’t but wish that I had
Made more money by re-enlisting than getting out.
I have re-enlisted numerous times during my 30-year military career (US Army)
I reenlisted many times I ended up with 36 yrs 14days Half my life time
Enlisted in USNR at 17, still in high school. 25 Feb 64.
Did basic at Great Lakes NTC, June 14th – August 28th, 1964 (regular Navy basic, by choice.
USAF recruiter came to high school, so I cut class to listen to him.
Whole family had been Navy. Preferred working 8 hours, changing into civvies, going to town and chase women, over being at sea for months at a time, surrounded by men.
Released from USNR to join USAF . . . enlisted 25 FEB 65.
12 years in USAF, on the way to at least 26 and retirement.
Married and had kids, the wife did not want. Made me get out of USAF after 12 so I could stay home and raise MY kids. Regretted leaving USAF, even until today. Got nothing for my 12 years, seemingly wasted 12 years . . . should have stayed in USAF and “separated” from wife !!!!!!!!!!!
From the Army to the Corps just to Kill some more. 1968-76
Multiple times. US NAVY, RETIRED
I joined the Navy on my 17th birthday because I had three brothers already serving in the Navy and one brother in the Army.. Was a TinCan sailor for almost 4 years and served as a Radarman in Combat Info. Center. Got out as a 2nd Class PO (E5),
Entered the Army as a Spec 4 (E4) and was trained as a launcher Crewman in the Hawk Missile battalion stationed in Giebelstadt, Germany. Left the Army with 7 years of service. Moved to California and tried out civilian life for 2 years. Not for me but found that the Navy and the Army did not give me skills for civilian life. Guess what? I then joined the Air Force (As an E3 with 7 years service and 3rd enlistment) and was trained for aircraft Navigation Systems Technician. Suported F105 Thunder Birds, F4 Phantoms and C130 Hercules aircraft in my remaining 13 years of service. Retired after 20 years as a Msgt (E7) and can honestly say that I have no regrets about any of my military service. The people I met, places I went to and stationed at were wonderful. Even Viet Nam for a year was endurable and I was happy to support the war effort. Together my 4 brothers and I served a total of 105 years of Military service. I personally would not have had it any other way.
Wish I could go back again now – but they would not take an 84 year old back.
I wonder if there is anyone else that served in three branches of the Military????
Halfway through Naval OCS, my original enlistment in USNR expired. Had to reenlist to finish OCS, (a Catch 22. They even gave me travel pay back to the place where I had enlisted. Wasn’t about to go anywhere, so bought a round of beer for my OCS company in Newport, Rhode Island.) Fiercely proud of my naval service, Vietnam duty and hard-earned commission.
I was enlisted into the United States Air Force on January 8, 1981. I re-enlisted five times for four years each time. I retired after 24 years and 23 days on February 1, 2005.
spet 21tears,4month&27 days,so yes i reelinted several times in the navy seabees
I was under an Eight-year obligation in 1953, joined the CA ANG and served Three-years. I was up for Sergeant with a high security clearance and decided not to Reenlist and be drafted. I was and stripped of rank as a normal procedure then and went through substantial training in the US Army. Was then sent direct to Europe during 1956, and worked in a highly classified operation for Eighteen months. Returned to the US and served the remaining three years on Stand-by.
The Military Service was extremely valuable for my multi-occupational performance which it still is at age 86, and I am still in charge of several family companies and have a number of other projects I’m working on.
Yes I reenlisted more than once all the way up to my retirement from the Navy in 2003
I received a medical discharge (mental health) Having difficulty with receiving VA benefits.
Life is very difficult financially
Please Help
Kenneth Wayne [email protected]
3421 glen ave
Baltimore MD,21215
(443)827-9031
At the time, I thought I was doing a good thing about what I would get in return.
Now, years later, I think it was a big mistake since the government changed some rules.
I did four years in the Army. After that, I joined the National Guard. After being off active duty for a couple of years, I re-enlisted in the Army again. I wanted to continue to serve my country and see more of the world. The only regret I have is that I didn’t retire.
A number of times. I first enlisted right after the Women’s Army Corps was integrated into the Regular Army. My initial four-year contract ended in 1982 under the presidency of Ronald Reagan. A raging recession was going on, and jobs were HARD to come by despite education or experience! After struggling for nearly a year, I decided to re-up, then stayed to complete 20 years of active-duty military service.
Yelp, President Reagan made some great decisions and changes and the integration of the Woman’s Army Corp was one of them. I remember that cause I just graduated high school in 1978, the same year as the integration. Fortunately, I joined the United States Air Force and spent over half my life there. Gave the Air Force the best years of my life; my 20s, 30s and nearly half of my 40s. Those were some of the best days of my life!
ENLISTED AFTER 6 YEARS ENLISTED AND BEING ACC
ENLISTED 62 REINLISTED 66 COMMISSIONED 68 REENLISTED AFTER BEING ACCEPTED INTO THE AECP COMMISSIONING PROGRAM. WENT ON TO RETIRE AS A MAJOR AND EARNED A PHD, PAID FOR BY USA.F 6 years enlisted 14 years commissioned. loved every assignment.,
I never re-enlisted in the Active Army, but after my initial enlistment in the Army, I enlisted in the Pennsylvania Nadtional Guartd and server 20 years in the 28th Avn Bn of the Pennsylvania National Guard for a dtotal of 23 years service. Never regretted a minute of it!!!!!!!!
Honor.
Yes I reenlisted 2 times. I am a disabled vet. and would still be there because I believed in this country.
I joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1965 after high school. I served in Viet-Nam and other places. I flew in several aircraft,both fixed and rotary wing. We flew search and rescue and other logistical and support missions. I left the military in 1979 when I realized that it was being changed from a military structure to that of a personal management structure. I was also asked to fill out a survey about using the military against the American public if JUSTIFIED. I felt that there is never justification for that. Our own civil war should have taught us that. Our government is supposed to serve the people not the other way around.
Spent 32yrs. in the service of our beautiful country. I was drafted into the Army in the day and did some pretty neat things but I ETS’d. Got my education unable to find work enlisted into the Air Force. Spent my time on a lot of deployments as a JTAC (Joint Tactical Air Controller).
I finally got to old and some physical restraints and got my training rocking chair.
Leroy Robbins CPO USN RET
I enlisted in the Navy after graduation from high school.That was in 1956 and I retired in 1975.I saw a lot of countries during my stay.Being a minority you can bet your boots that I was treated as one.But all in all I wouldn’t trade my
active duty for nothing.I learned a lot while serving my country.
spent 20 years in Navy retired as RMC
I usually re enlisted for 6 yr terms but sometimes I did do a 2 yr term.
Yes 23 years AF & loved every year. 1&2 engine jet. Tac all the way.
My husband (now deseased) entered the Navy when he was 16 (he lied about his age) while they were out at sea they discovered his age so when they got back to land he was hororably dischared, so he immediately went & joint the Army/Air Force and then they seperated the Army from the Air force so he joined the air force. When he retired from the Air Force he immediately join the Air Force Reserves. He loved the service and served for 36 yrs. He life was the military. And as his wife I am proud to say I supported him all the way. So I would say he re-enlisted several times.
Had to reenlist to go to OCS after three years enlisted. Best thing I ever did!
I was only planning to do 4 years for the job experience and then move into a civilian career, but I loved what I was doing, the comradery and just the whole life experience thar I reenlisted 6 times and would have again, but 33 years was my high year of tenure
Reupped once duty assignment was ok co of squadron had a grudge against the enlisted people made work difficult so I got uot
I really enjoyed being part of the Army and reenlisted several times.
The extra income from the national guard and reserves after the Marines helped with expenses during college and beyond. I also was able to get some very interesting and challenging positions that helped personally.
I reenlisted right after 9/11 to go fight for the Americans who died during that attack, I now suffer from PTSD.
I reenlisted numerous times culmonating in a career 0f 22 years in the U.S. Army.
I liked the military life so I stayed in.
Re-enlistment was required for acceptance to changing Air Force Specialty Training into Air Traffic Control which paid Reenlistment Bonuses for future retention.
Decided it would be a good career
I received orders to Spangdahlem, Germany toward the end of my first enlistment. I decided to reenlist so I could accept the orders and experience Germany and other parts of Europe.
I spent 8 years at spangdahlem
Because at the time, the US Navy was a great place to be, and I loved my job!
Are you any relation?
I served 20 years in the US Navy out of those 20 years, 4 years/6 months active duty and the rest reserves. Was bored and joined the Texas National Guard for 11 years retired, went to Iraq for 1 year and decided to retire with 31 years, no regrets. Miss it! Retired