Expert: Howard Lorenz - 5/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Mr. Howard Lorenz, my name is Brad Hatcher and I served in the U.S.
Navy. I did not complete my service contract. I repeatedly asked to get
out from my chain command and of course they said no....but then I
began to get into trouble. Nothing major, just being bullheaded. I finally
got sent up to captains mast one day, and my co asked me point blank if
I wanted out...foolishly I replied yes. I got out with a general under
honorable conditions, re-4, and my narrative was misconduct. I never
got into trouble until I meet this girl and let her talk me into
thinking that I needed out. Statute of limitations has ran out on me
submitting a dd-149, but I have sent up a dd-293 to the Navy Board of
Corrections and I have wrote out my section 8 of the form and explained my
actions to the fullest and took all responsibility on this form for my
actions. I was just a fool, and made a foolish choice. Well I know that I can
only ask for the re code to be changed...but my question is
this....What are the chances...seeing as how I never got into serious trouble,
and I have gotten a college education since I was discharged, and done
several other things in life to show that I have matured to a very high
degree.....What are the chances??? Also, is there any other routes to
getting this changed I can take???? Maybe hiring a military lawyer and
letting them help me, or something else maybe? My plan is to try and go
back in, possibly the National Guard. I know that the National Guards
rules on re-4s vary from state to state....So I would also like to know
what are my chances of appealing to the state of Georgia for entry into
the Guard?? I do appreciate your help in these matters. I am not
getting my hopes up for re-entry, but I am trying to remain optimistic about
my chances, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for
your time and help in these matters. Very Respectfully, Bradley F. Hatcher


ANSWER: Brad,

Sounds to me like you have accomplished all that you needed to and now are just waiting for the results. Hiring any councel will not be in the best interest of what you are trying to accomplish. THey Department of the Navy will review your RE code and then make the determination. This is just one of those things that you will have to just sit and wait out....

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

QUESTION: Mr. Lorenz, you certainly don't have to worry about me be unthankful for your answer. However I can certainly understand why you would ask me not to be seeing some of the responses to your answers that I have read. Some people are just knuckleheads. I want to thank you for your help from the bottom of my heart for your help in this matter. No matter what the response may be, I am looking for the truth, not what I would like to hear, and I really thank you for that. I would, however, like to ask you one last question if I may. Giving the information about my discharge that I explained to you, and assuming that it is all true, my question is do you think my chances with the review board is good for getting my re code changed to where I may reenter??? I want to thank you one last time for your help in this matter. Very Respectfully, Bradley F. Hatcher

Answer
There is going to be alot if factors to determine if they will allow you back. They will first review your past record. They will more than likely interview you to see if there has been change and all the services know that people mature with age so ther eis alot that will be done to see if it is warranted to change you RE code. I can not specifically state that I could say one way or the other if yours would be overturned. I can tell you that persistance in getting the RE code done will be key. If it is determined that you truly want to get back in and stay in this time... The chances are good. At the same turn, be prepared for the worse.