Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/25/2009

Question
Hello,

I joined the army back in 1999 as a 71L got out 18 months later with a RE-3 for parenthood. My husband was also in wanted to make it career and when I started having issues with my son getting really sick and having no one to take him because he was sick my CO went in started discharge papers for me. Long story short I was kicked out because of lack of family care plan.
Since then my husband got out of the army because he was deployed 3x in 3 years for a little over 2 years. He thought it was best. I also got an A.A. in paralegal studies.
I have never felt good about not doing my full 4 years and feel like its my time to finish what I started and maybe get my student loans paid off. My son is better, my husband is out, so I have nothing stopping me...but my RE-3 code.
I went to the navy, CG, AF recruiters (didnt do army because of their length in deployments, Dont mind getting deployed just not for a year gone a year here a year gone like my husband) no one will look at me. THey are telling me I cant go back in because of my code. No one will even look at doing a waiver for me even though when I got out they told me I only had to wait 2 years to rejoin.
I did have one tell me to try and go reserve then try to switch to AD, thats what she did, but everything I read says its not that easy.
I really want to go Active Duty Navy, CG, or AF and get my loans paid off and finish something I feel I need to and WANT to finish.

Do I have any hope and if I do what is my next step?

Julie

Answer
Julie,
I understand your frustration but I don't understand the recruiters.  By chance were you talking to them BEFORE this month?  Because the new fiscal year started 1 October for the military, they are desperate for people right now.  In September their quotas were full and they could care less.  If your code is a "3" and not followed by a letter, such as 3A, 3B, or 3C then it means exactly, "Individuals who are not qualified for continued Army service, but the disqualification is waiverable.  Ineligible for enlistment unless a waiver is granted.  So normally you can reenlist in the Army or another Service, you just need a waiver.  Waiver requests are submitted by the recruiters.

No matter which Service you choose, you'll be considered a "reenlistee" and not a new recruit.  The recruiter gets $0 for you and he has a very small quota for reenlistments.

Talk to a different recruiter now, and see what he says.  There should be no reason for him not to process a waiver for you.  Tell them your situation has changed now because your husband is no longer in the Army.

Thanks for wanting to serve again.
Colonel H