Expert: Jason Grabill - 4/5/2008

Question
i searched your previous answers but found my question is slightly different.

first, thank you for the time you give helping other people.

i am an AT in the NAVY on my second enlistment with 5 years total.  my last two evals were EP 4.0 or better. i have received CO commendations, and was nominated for Navy CAP as well as junior sailor of the quarter.  i enlisted undesignated and was put in weapons working with the AO rate onboard ship for a year.  when eligable i took the test for my current rate and was promoted to AT3. i have carried an interim clearance since just now.  i read an instruction that sailors with an interim clearance werent even supposed to strike secret clearance rates.  all issues through DON CAF were disclosed by myself before even my first enlistment.  

my question deals with the discharge ill recive if i choose the admin sep route.  surely they must give an honorable given i disclosed all before joining and my sucessful career so far.  because i completed my first honorably im not worried about my MGIB.  what will my dd214 read?  will i have to appeal? will i have to pay my SRB back?  

once again thank you

Answer
William:

 Are you being discharged because you can't obtain a clearance?  That's what you seem to be saying.  I'm surprised that the Navy wouldn't let you change rates.   Unless they are giving you the 'discharge' option.

 If you fully disclosed everything, and the navy assigned you a rate knowing whatever it is that is preventing you from getting a clearance, and you've been a 4.0 sailor the entire time, then your 'character of service' will be classed as 'honorable'. Your all important "RE" code may not be a "RE-1A", but it' won't be a 'bad' (Do not reenlist type of code) one, either, and it won't affect future benefits.

 As far as paying back your bonus, that one I'm not sure of.  If you are being discharged because DONCAF refuses to give you a clearance based on issues you already disclosed (as I said, above) then you shouldn't, IN MY OPINION, be forced to pay your SRB back.  BUT, that is only my opinion, the navy *may* see that differently.  

 Talk to your command Chief, career counselor, and perhaps the Yeoman shop to get more information on the SRB issue, because there are likely rules and regs about that, that I'm unfamiliar with.

Jason