Expert: Howard Lorenz - 2/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, my husband served in the Navy from 1998-2002.  He was discharged for "misconduct" in December 2002 for failing a drug test.  He was given an "Other than Honorable" discharge, with a code RE4.  Over 5 years have passed and he is currently going to school and is also employed.  He would very much like to reenlist, but is afraid that his actions when he was younger (and dumber) will prevent him from being able to rejoin.  I'm sure he wouldn't be able to rejoin the Navy, but what about other branches?  Even if he couldn't do active duty, could he try the reserves or national guard?  He has been sober from drugs for over 5 years now, and just is not the same person he was then.  Might he be able to obtain a waiver so he may reenlist?  Thank you!

ANSWER: Most of the services have an RE code waiver, the best bet would be to see what he can get now that he has grown up...whats the worse that they can say?....

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

QUESTION: Thank you for the response.  Are there different waivers for different reasons of discharge?  Or is it just one universal waiver?

Answer
Basically its a RE code waiver. They will take a look at what he did, evaluate his present condition and go from there. The military in general knows that people arent perfect.The best thing that he can do is go in and tell them what he had done and what he has done. Go in with all the documents, diploma, college credits, letters of recomendation, etc. Now if they still turn him down, then he may have to apply for a change to records....takes a long time and its almost not worth it...I would just go and get a job with the govenrment. He can still get gov't jobs with the discharge that he has now. Its harder, but its doable....just has to keep at it for the military or the Gov't...