Regardless of whether a soldier or sailor is thinking about reenlistment or has been out of the military for a while and wants to rejoin, there are certain issues that need to be considered in regard to status, pay, and rank.

The military generally defines prior service as a soldier or sailor who has gone through basic training and other various conditions. Those conditions are different in each of the major military branches for Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Army

The Army defines prior service as more than 180 days of military service, or a recruit or soldier who is graduated from military job training. If a soldier has less than 180 days in military service, and they want to reenlist, they will be considered non-prior service recruits unless they have obtained a qualifying RE (reenlistment) code or waiver on their DD Form 214.

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps defines prior service as those who have completed basic training or those who have fulfilled their reserve military service obligation. It also includes a recruit who has been given a DD Form 214 and been assigned a RE code. Prior service designation is also given to a recruit who is failed to pass basic training requirements.

Air Force

The Air Force is quite different and defines prior service as someone who has served a least two years of active duty.. Up to 24 months of such service will generate a non-prior service classification, unless they have also received a qualifying RE code on their DD Form 214.

Navy

The Navy considers 180 consecutive days or more as prior service. Anyone with less than that number will be considered a non-prior service applicant. In addition, they must also be able to meet RE eligibility or have received a waiver.

Pay, Rank and Benefits Status

Determinations of reentry pay scale, rank, and whether or not a recruit will need to repeat basic training will depend upon what branch of the military is under consideration, as well as the question of what particular job the person reenlisting or reentering the military is looking for. In most cases, when entering the same military branch and applying for the same job as in a prior service enlistment, pay scale may be very similar to status when discharged.

Soldiers or sailors who reenlist within 12 months of their release date of active duty will most likely hold the same rank as they had obtained prior to discharge.

Soldiers and sailors who leave the service and wish to reenlist may also be eligible for prior service enlistment bonuses that might range from $7500-$15000 for three to six year enlistment contracts. In most cases, entering a different service branch will not affect overall benefits and qualifications or awards.

Accumulated time within the military is put toward retirement. Educational benefits as well as incentives they were accrued during prior service enlistment periods are also retained.

When considering reenlistment, it is important to research prior service programs in various branches of the military in order to determine exactly what you can expect and anticipate when considering prior service enlistment and reenlistment options.