Rejoining the Army full time

We will need to know your:

• Service number

• Dates of service

• Reasons for your discharge

• Previous Capbadge/trade/unit

• Medical grading on discharge

• Current driving licence record

This information will determine which process you will follow, either rejoiner or re-enlister.

There are 3 rejoiner categories. These categories determine which rejoin pathway you will follow to come back into service:

CAT A – You are a trade-trained ex-regular soldier who left full time regular service within the last 10 years. You wish to rejoin the same trade that they left, and is under 40 years of age.

CAT B – You ex-regular soldier who completed basic training (Phase 1) and left full time regular service within the last 10 years. You want to rejoin a trade where Initial Trade Training (ITT) would be required. CAT B applicants can only be considered for retrading if under the ab initio upper age limit

CAT C – You do not fit into A or B, including all RAF Regt and RM rejoiners.

The training requirements will depend on your rejoin category and are often on case by case basis, but you do not have to repeat Basic Training.

All rejoiners will go through a Work Induction package and be expected to complete their Individual Training Requirements.

If you are rejoining the same role, it is unlikely you will have to repeat trade training. If you are looking to retrade, your training package will be discussed with you.

You will need to have enlisted before your 57th birthday to rejoin the Army as an ex-regular soldier/officer.

If you require trade training, you will only be considered if you are under the age of 36.

All rejoiners are required to be above the in-service medical retention standards in line with AGAI 78. If you left service below this, you will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

If you are categorised as a CAT A rejoiner, you can expect a faster medical process to rejoin.

You can apply to rejoin subject to any time bar or caveat associated with your regulations discharge category. Each rejoiner will be considered on a case by case basis, dependent on the nature of the discharge and the needs of the Army. If you are not suitable, we will let you know why, and if there is a possibility you can apply in the future.

Yes – you can express an interest in the capbadge or Corps of your choice; however, available vacancies may mean that it is not always possible to offer you that role. You can discuss your aspirations during an interview with a CSM or Military rep in the NRC.

If your chosen role isn’t available, you can rejoin a different capbadge, but you may need to do trade training if accepted.

You can rejoin at your previous rank if a vacancy is available. Equally, if there are no vacancies or you have gained skills which deserve recognition, you may be offered a role at a lower or higher rank.

Your pay will depend on the rank and seniority that you are offered when you rejoin as stated in your Terms of Engagement from the Army Personnel Centre.

Re-enlisters will be paid as a new entrant.

If you are drawing your pension, this could be changed when you rejoin and you will accumulate a new AFPS15 pension. When you discharge again a new calculation will be made with your old and new pension.

If you receive a medical pension, this will stop if you're declared fit for service.

Call SPVA 0800 085 3600 for details about how this may affect you.

If you had a JPA record, you will retain your service number.

This will depend on your rejoin category, if you are a CAT A and you meet all the requirements, you could expect to be back with your unit within 3 months.