Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 11/23/2009

Question
I am 30 yrs old and was discharged from the army w/ a general under honorable conditions with a RE code 3, can I join back in the army active or reserves?

Answer
Dear Antonio --

Your age is not an issue as long as you are still fit.  However, your discharge characterization and re-entry code are a problem.  You could get a waiver for your RE 3, if you had an honorable discharge.  But with a general under honorable conditions and an RE 3, you are not eligible for a waiver to re-enlist.

To change this, if the circumstances that caused the Army to characterize your discharge as "general" have changed, you can petition the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, and request they re-characterize your discharge as honorable.  If your discharge become honorable, then you can petition to re-enlist with a waiver for your RE 3.  Please go to the following web site to see some of your options for requesting a change to your discharge records: http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.  Thank you for your service.