Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/6/2008

Question
I joined the military about 6 years ago, made it to basic training and got discharged because I did something really crazy.  I wanted to get out once I got to basic because I felt like I was lied to by my recruiter.  Everybody in basic was telling me about all of the "wonderful" things that they were offered such as bonuses and I got nothing. So I wanted to get out.  Well I played like I was insane and now I am wanting to get back in. The recruiter told me that I will be able to get back in with a waiver, my question is how do I find out if it was dishonorable because from my understanding you are able to get bonuses with a RE-3 code but it has to be a honorable discharge and when I left I was told that it was honorable..can you help me?

Answer
Dear Cynthia --

Your discharge paperwork, the DD form 214, characterizes your discharge.  The same paperwork that gives you an RE 3 code should state the characterization.

If you were discharged after basic, but before AIT, you probably got an entry level discharge which is usually "uncharacterized."  This means you did not serve long enough for your service to be considered honorable, but your behavior wasn't bad enough to be considered less-than-honorable or dishonorable.

Bring your DD form 214 to your recruiting office and see what your recruiter says about your options.  Understand that because you need a waiver, you will not be offered any of those wonderful bonuses you were so jealous of before.  With a waiver for an RE 3 you will not be offered particularly good occupational specialties either.

You can petition the board of military corrections to change the characterization of your discharge, and your RE code.  It can take up to two years to get your petition answered.  If they grant your appeal, you would not need a waiver to enlist.

Good luck to you.