Am I eligible for re-enlistment?

[Mike, RN]

Hi, I'm prior service Army National Guard 91A medical specialist. I am 43 years old, no arrests, and in good health. I completed a 3/5 contract with honorable discharge at rank E-4. I am a Registered Nurse in good standing pursueing a BSN. Can I re-enlist? I'm residing in Colorado. Any information would be a great help. Thanks.

[Mongoose772]

I chuckled in solidarity with you when I read your post Mike. The MOS 91A shows your age. I too enlisted as a 91A Medical Specialist in 1988, by 1995 that MOS had changed designation to 91B. Then in 2000 there was a army wide push to create a somewhat modified "medic" and the 91W was created. The AIT lasted an additional 4-5 weeks and those of us who were previously Alpha's - Bravo's had the better part of a decade to "transition" to a W. (Actually you had a Yankee identifier on the end of the W MOS, but it's irrelevant) Anyway, since a army wide MOS/AOC restructuring Healthcare Specialists" are now 68W. I know none of that answered your question, but I got all misty eyed when I read 91A. The bottom line, you sir are in a time crunch that I'm afraid may not be correctable. Prior enlisted service does essentially offset the maximum non prior service age ceiling which is currently 35. But only serving 3 prior service years still puts you over. TECHNICALLY reserve components of the Army STILL accept ADNs for initial commissioning, and age waivers up to 46 but with the AMEDD numbers being the way they are I can tell you prety solidly that's extremely unlikely. Just for clarification, how "far" are you away from obtaining a BSN?

[SteveLord]

Get your BSN for sure. If hospitals in your area aren't requiring it yet, they will soon. :-\

[Mike, RN]

I chuckled in solidarity with you when I read your post Mike. The MOS 91A shows your age. I too enlisted as a 91A Medical Specialist in 1988, by 1995 that MOS had changed designation to 91B. Then in 2000 there was a army wide push to create a somewhat modified "medic" and the 91W was created. The AIT lasted an additional 4-5 weeks and those of us who were previously Alpha's - Bravo's had the better part of a decade to "transition" to a W. (Actually you had a Yankee identifier on the end of the W MOS, but it's irrelevant) Anyway, since a army wide MOS/AOC restructuring Healthcare Specialists" are now 68W. I know none of that answered your question, but I got all misty eyed when I read 91A. The bottom line, you sir are in a time crunch that I'm afraid may not be correctable. Prior enlisted service does essentially offset the maximum non prior service age ceiling which is currently 35. But only serving 3 prior service years still puts you over. TECHNICALLY reserve components of the Army STILL accept ADNs for initial commissioning, and age waivers up to 46 but with the AMEDD numbers being the way they are I can tell you prety solidly that's extremely unlikely. Just for clarification, how "far" are you away from obtaining a BSN?

Thanks mongoose 772, I too enlisted in 1988 and attended Basic at Ft. Sill then AIT at Ft. Sam for 91A. We may have trained together. There has been many changes to the arena since I left in 1991. I'm going to give it my best shot to re-enlist. I know I'm in that time crunch, but after the words you gave me, I still have a chance. I am talking with a AMEDD recruiter tomorrow and will keep you posted if you like. Best Wishes. Oh, I am starting the BSN program this summer so I don't know how things will pan out, but am hoping for the best. Also, how would the commission work? Would I be direct or be required to attend OCS? Talk to you later.

[Mongoose772]

You would be a direct AMEDD commission as a 66 series. 66H? 66N perhaps. The Guard and Reserve have accepted associate degree nurses in the past. I looked at the regulation last summer, and it was still POSSIBLE then. I spoke with one of our 2 regional AMEDD recruiters last November and I remember him saying there were only 43 Nursing vacancies army wide at the time, therefore they (Regular Army and Reserve) were able to be "picky" enough that they really weren't pushing packets forward on anyone without a BSN and at least 4 years experience. However, your state's Guard is different. You do have a Medcom, and depending on the size of your state they might have 3 to 9 nursing positions. The real questions are, 1. Are any of them vacant? 2. Would the state Medcom be willing to take you with an ADN? It's officially the only exception within AMEDD that temporarily avoids the Bachellor's degree requirement. You used to be able to make Captain before you had to have your BSN, now you can't make it past 1LT. I'd be interested to hear how it goes. Oh, I went to Fort Sam Houston from August to October of 1989.