I got out of the Navy October 80 turning down $15K and next rank. In late 1982 I tried to go back in. The recruiters weren't interested and I had a good recommendation for enlistment and a good record. I may be wrong but as far as I know from the end of 1981-1989 the ranks were pretty much filled even on a Cold War posture.
They were indeed. That's also the time frame I ended a break in my reserve/guard service and re entered the active reserve. They were so full by '86 they could let me go because I couldn't keep my weight down to their level (at their max, I looked like a scarecrow, and I've got pictures to prove it). When I got a waiver, less than a year later, there were no open slots and that was that for me. It hurt really bad to watch my compadres called up for Desert Shield/Storm a few years later.