Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/27/2008

Question
I spent 4 years active duty in the Navy and recieved a honorable discharge but it is a class RE-3.  I went to Captains mass when I was in.  I talked to a recruiter with the Army and he told me becouse I have had a prior D.U.I. after leaving the military that I can not join the Army.  He said no force would take me.  Is this true?

Answer
Dear Cameron --

Your RE 3 means you are not a good candidate for re-enlistment.  That added to a DUI makes you even more risky.

However, both are waiverable, if you can prove that you are no longer at risk for doing illegal activities (driving drunk) or a discipline problem (whatever you were punished for at Captain's Mast).  Most recruiters will not want to work with you because you need such a significant waiver to overcome the two issues.

If you are serious about returning to military service, and you have truly turned your life around, you could submit a file to the board of military corrections and try to get your RE 3 code changed to 2 or one.  If your misconduct was minor an RE 3 is a fairly strong punishment.  But if your misconduct was serious or repeated, then the RE 3 is not unusual and it will be more difficult to get it changed.

If you took a substance abuse course, and passed, after your DUI and have no further alcohol or drug related abuse issues, you could possible get your DUI expunged by the court that convicted you.  

If you can do both of those changes, your waiver to return to service will be relatively easy and recruiters are more likely to work with you.  

Good luck on all counts.