Rejoining the Army full time

We will need to know your:

• Service number

• Dates of service

• Discharge reasons

• Previous regiments/units

• Medical grading on discharge

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

If you've completed Phase 1 training, and are an ex-Regular soldier, or commissioned officer, in the Army, RAF Regiment or Royal Marines, you can apply to rejoin the Regular Army or the MPGS at any time. The details of your rejoining will vary on a case to case basis.

If you didn't complete your Phase 1 training, you'll need to re-enlist.

Regular rejoiners can start the application process as long as they enlist before their 57th birthday.

If you were medically discharged your details will be reviewed and treated on a case by case basis.

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.

Rejoiner

• Trained Ex-Regular personnel, including those who left through redundancy, ex MPGS and ex-Royal Gibraltar Regiment personnel, Ex RM and Ex-RAF Regt personnel.

Re-enlister

• Untrained Ex-Service personnel who have not completed Phase 1 (Basic) training

• Royal Navy and RAF applicants

Rejoiners will not usually need to redo Basic training. We assess people on a case by case basis, and training will be provided if needed. You won't need to attend selection again either, though you will be required to pass fitness or other assessments if you are joining a new capbadge or trade with different entry standards.

Re-enlisters are likely to have to complete Basic training again. You may need to attend selection as part of the process.

You can apply to the capbadge or Corps of your choice; however, available vacancies may mean that it is not always possible to offer you your desired choice.

You can rejoin into a different capbadge, but you may need to do trade training again if you're accepted.

You can rejoin at your previous rank if there is a job vacancy available. If there are no vacancies at that level, you may be offered a role at a lower rank.

Your pay will depend on the rank and seniority that you are awarded 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 more than 2 years have elapsed since your redundancy it is unlikely you will pay anything back.

Call SPVA 0800 085 3600 for details about how your redundancy will be affected.

Your pension will stop 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 for more details about your pension.

If you joined the military, or were serving, after 2006 it is likely you are on JPA already, in which case you will retain your service number.

If you left before 2006 it is unlikely your record will be on JPA in which case a new service number will be assigned to you