Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Can you have a RE-4 changed?

Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: My husband made one mistake 3 years ago that cost him his Navy career. He has since gotten married, has a daughter and another child on the way. We are hoping to find a way to get him back in the Navy. He is a different person now and he has grown up quite a bit in the last three years. He has responsibilities and he is not the young guy that went out every weekend that he was when he was younger. We can also prove that he has not made any more mistakes like that one since he got out of the Navy. I know the RE-4 code means he cannot get back in but is there anyway to have that changed? He had perfect evaluations up to this point and had been promoted to an E-5 in his first 4 years. He was asset to the Navy and made one mistake. Is there anyway to fix it?

ANSWER: Dear Whitney --

Your husband could try for a waiver to re-enlist in the Navy. With the RE 4 code, it will be difficult.

He could also petition the board of military corrections to change his DD 214 and his RE code. A petition to the board of military corrections can take up to two years to be heard, but if his petition is approved, he will not need a waiver to re-enlist.

The best services for receiving a waiver to enlist are the Army and the Marine Corps, but he may not want to serve in those branches.

Good luck to you and your family. Please write back, if you have other questions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Where would I find the information for the waiver and to petition the board of corrections? Thank you so much for your help!

Answer
Dear Whitney --

The following web site should have all the information you need to build a petition file and start the process to correct Navy records.

http://www.donhq.navy.mil/bcnr/bcnr.htm

According to this site, your husband must first apply to the Navy Discharge Review Board, before he can petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the Navy Discharge Review Board processes.

I wish you both the best of luck getting his Naval records changed.