Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/12/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a question on a discharge issue. Back in 2003 I enlisted in the United States Navy. I went to basic training and everything went fine until I got a severe case of pneumonia, which lasted for a long time. It caused several problems even after I was cleared to go back to training even tough I still had it. I still did what I was asked to do in exercises, but was eventually sent to the asthma clinic due to further complications. At the asthma clinic I tested positive for asthma and was separated during basic training. After I got back I saw a civilian doctor who discovered that there was still traces of pneumonia in my lungs after doing an x-ray. It was then discovered that this form of asthma may have been triggered by pneumonia. I never had a history of asthma until I got pneumonia. Two years later I was tested for asthma again by the same doctor and the results came back negative. I am fully convinced that the temporary asthma I had was not serious and was caused by pneumonia. I was issued an RE-4 code with a General under honorable conditions discharge from the Navy. I understand the RE-4 will prevent reenlistment, but will the General under honorable conditions discharge be an issue in gaining future employment even though this was an entry level separation? I am a college senior and was told from people it will not. Besides it was for a medical issue that I had no control over. I just wanted to see what you thought and what your advice would be. Thank you for your time and I apologize for this long message, but I wanted to explain the situation to the best of my ability.

ANSWER: Dear Brandon --

Your general discharge under honorable conditions for an entry level separation will not cause issues with future employment, or security clearance applications.  It is a normal discharge (along with "uncharacterized") when someone receives an initial entry separation.

You would only have an issue, if you wished to try and re-enlist in the military, and that is due to your RE 4, not your service characterization.  

I am sorry your illness kept you from a career in the military.  I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.



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

QUESTION: Thank you for the answer, but I just have one last question that came to mind. This discharge will not effect me getting a government job? At the situation I am not going for one, but I just wanted to check. Also, this discharge will not affect me in getting a job as a police officer? I just wanted to check on these two issues. The reason for the follow up is because I am seeing answers on Yahoo answers that an entry level seperation will effect me in finding a job, but I am sure it is not true. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Brandon --

Your initial entry separation will not keep you from getting a government job.  You will not get a veterans' preference for hiring, however.

It is possible that a police training program would reject you based on the asthma diagnosis on your discharge.  However, if you are healthy and can prove to the police doctors that you do not have asthma, you should be selected for their training academy, if you are otherwise qualified.

Good luck to you.