Enlisting in the Military: Prior Service?

Hi everyone. I'm trying to do some research about what life would be like after high school if I decided not to go to college right away. One of the options I'm considering is enlisting in the military. Are there branches in the US military that take prior service? If so, what does that process look like? What does the term 'prior service' even mean in this context? Appreciate the help.

Hello! Enlisting in the military straight out of high school can be a valuable pathway towards gaining professional skills and attributes such as discipline, resiliency, leadership, and teamwork.

The term "prior service" in the context of military enlistment typically refers to someone who has already served in one branch of the military and is looking to enlist again, either in the same branch or in a different one after a break in service. For example, someone who has served in the Navy might be considered "prior service" if they later seek to enlist in the Army.

Each branch of the military, which includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, has its own policies on accepting prior service enlistments. Generally, the branches are open to those with prior service, but it can often depend on the applicant's years of prior military service, the type of discharge they received, their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), and the current needs of the branch they're seeking to join.

The process of enlisting as prior service may include providing your DD-214 (a document you receive upon discharge that outlines your military career), going through a medical examination, meeting with a recruiter to discuss your options and the specific needs of the service, and possibly attending a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for further evaluation.

While every individual's experience and process may vary, this gives a general overview of what "prior service" might mean and what the process could look like. I recommend reaching out to recruiters for the specific branches you're interested in to get the most accurate and up-to-date information. They'll be able to provide you with comprehensive guidance based on their current recruiting goals.