Prior Service - Entrance Programs
Prior Service - Entrance Programs Photo Caption

Entrance Programs

You can reclaim a familiar mission. In the Navy Reserve.

Certain age and health requirements exist. For military veterans, these requirements are normally determined on a case-by-case basis.

The most important document military veterans need to enlist in the Navy Reserve is form DD-214, which details your discharge from Active Duty or Reserve Service.

To obtain a copy of your DD-214, simply submit form SF-180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, which you can download now. (Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here.)

In addition, there are many programs designed to help you pick up where you left off as a Navy Reservist:

Stay Navy. If you are a Navy or Navy Reserve veteran (Enlisted or Officer), this program will allow you to enlist or reenlist in the Navy Reserve. If you currently hold a commission in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), you may affiliate with the Navy Reserve through the NAVET program as well.

If you were discharged from the Navy or Navy Reserve more than four years ago, your paygrade and rate/rank may be modified based on Navy Reserve needs in specific ratings and the length of time since your discharge. Otherwise, you will most likely enter at your previously held paygrade and rate/rank.

Contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for more information.

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OSVET (Other Service Veteran)

Many Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps veterans have found success in the Navy Reserve. If you have prior active or inactive service in military branches other than the Navy, you may enlist in the Navy Reserve through the OSVET program. If you are a veteran Officer who holds a commission from a military branch other than the Navy, you may apply for a Navy Reserve direct commission through the Interservice Transfer Program.

In most instances, you will be able to retain your previous rate/rank. Select, qualified veterans from other services who enlist within four years of discharge can usually join the Navy Reserve at the same paygrade as when discharged. If you join within four to six years, you will enter one paygrade less than when discharged; within six to eight years, two paygrades less than when discharged. View our Rate/Rank Converter to see your equivalent rate/rank in the Navy Reserve.

Contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for more information.

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RESCORE-R (Recruiting Selective Conversion Reenlistment — Reserve)

New training. New opportunities. If you are a recently separated or discharged Navy veteran or member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) who is in a closed rating or who would otherwise be ineligible for enlistment, this program can help you access new opportunities through a change of rating.

Contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for more information.

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Direct Appointment (Officers)

Pride. Professionalism. Prestige. The desire and ability to lead. These characteristics are hallmarks of what it means to be a military Officer. And they are highly valued in the Navy Reserve.

If you have previously served as an Officer in the military and would like to affiliate with the Navy Reserve, you should talk to a Navy Reserve Recruiter as soon as possible to discuss your options.

If you are currently a college-educated professional in one of the specialty areas sought by the Navy Reserve, you may receive a direct appointment as a commissioned Navy Officer.

Direct commissions are available to U.S. citizens with professional expertise in the following fields:

Contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter for more information.

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