Requirements for NAVET Reenlistment

First, what is a NAVET? According to OPNAVINST 1100.4C, "NAVETs are applicants whose last tour of active duty or active duty for training was in the United States Navy or Navy Reserve, have been discharged or released more than 24 hours, and who completed a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks of active duty or active duty for training (to include boot-camp graduation)."

Additionally, those with less than 12 consecutive weeks of prior active duty naval service are considered NPS applicants for classification purposes if they are not in the New Accession Training (NAT) Program and have not completed the full 9 week Navy recruit training. However, they must meet Reenlistment Code (RE-Code) eligibility requirements.

If you are on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL) attempting to return, refer to this TDRL page -- the process is different.

The requirements and procedures

Note: much of the information is taken directly from COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8M, Chapter 5, Section 8 for a majority of this post. Although it should answer many of the questions, at least it does for a majority of the questions I receive, it does not cover everything, so please be sure to contact your local recruiter for how your case should be specifically handled.

Your prior service must be verified with the original or certified copy of the DD Form 214. You must meet RE-Code requirements to be reenlistment eligible. (If an appropriate DD Form 214 is not available, or evidence of alteration exists, prior service shall be verified through the Reenlistment Eligibility Data Display (REDD) Web Application by processors at MEPS.)

You must meet the same basic eligibility requirements of someone trying to enlist for the first time, and that does include using the accession medical standards and NOT the retention medical standards -- they are different!

As a NAVET, you must also be within dependency limits defined for those who are prior service.

The Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) may accept a separation physical examination if it is not more than one year old.  The one-year is computed from the date of the separation examination (not the date of discharge) to the date of MEPS processing. You must provide a copy of your DD Form 2808 or MHS Genesis Readiness Report separation physical and you will be required complete a new DD Form 2807-2 at MEPS.

You shall only be enlisted in under-manned rates and ratings. All entry requests, including conversions, must be authorized by the applicable Enlisted Community Manager (ECM), VIA NAVCRUITCOM, due to rating manning issues.

Read the next part very carefully concerning broken service and how you may be affected by high year tenure (HYT). The prior service time allowed listed below is the latest published HYT for the paygrade minus four years (you must be able to reenlist for a minimum of four years without exceeding HYT). Because HYT is subject to relatively frequent changes, ensure you follow up with your recruiter and MILPERSMAN 1160-120.

If frocked at the time of discharge NAVETs can request reenlistment in the frocked paygrade only if reenlisting within six months of discharge and in the previously held rating. ECM and PERS-811 approval, via NAVCRUTCOM, is required. NAVETs converting to a new rating via PRISE III are ineligible for reenlistment in a prior frocked paygrade.

PRISE III

"The PRISE III Program offers reenlistment opportunities and rating conversion to Navy Veterans (NAVETs) who apply to reenlist in the Active Component after being discharged or released for more than 24-hours and are not approved to reenlist in their previously held rating. All PRISE III NAVETs require ECM approval, via NAVCRUITCOM. NAVETs reenlisting under this program must be qualified for the new rating." Make sure you explore this opportunity with your recruiter!

For those with civilian experience that followed their time in the Navy:

NAVETs with civilian experience convertible to a Navy rating may be approved for a higher paygrade from the one previously held. For example, an E4 NAVET who served as a police officer for three years may be eligible for the MA rating under the Prior Service Reenlistment Eligibility (PRISE) III Program as a MA2.

All such requests require Enlisted Community Manager (ECM) approval via NAVCRUITCOM. Only NAVCRUITCOM is authorized to contact the ECM for such approval.

Again, NAVETs are NOT to a call directly to the ECM!

The maximum paygrade for accession via PRISE III is E3. PRISE III NAVETs will be promoted to the contracted and approved paygrade upon successful completion of the contracted Class "A" School, and if required, Class "C" School.

In Processing

All NAVETs re-accessing going back to active duty do not attend boot-camp again, but are ordered to RTC Great Lakes for in-processing only (e.g., duty station assignment, administrative processing, uniform outfitting, etc.). You should bring as much of your old fully serviceable sea bag items you still have to avoid unnecessary expenses (You will be required to have a full seabag before leaving in-processing).

In-processing can take up to 60 days to complete, but average processing time is 30 days for stateside (CONUS) orders and 45 days for overseas (OUTCONUS) orders.

Final Thoughts

I certainly did not cover every detail in this article, so it is imperative that you contact your local recruiter -- don't only rely of what I wrote!

Also, keep in mind, just meeting the above requirements does not mean that you are good-to-go. There has to be billets (openings), and I don't mean openings that your ECM may see; Navy recruiting command must also have a shipping seat available specifically set aside for NAVETs -- there isn't normally a lot of those. If your stars align, continually follow-up with your recruiter as the process moves along, and stay calm -- keep in mind that the process can be cumbersome and time consuming -- your patience will be tested.

If you have any questions after reading the article, either contact your local recruiter, or you can ask me directly.

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