Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Sir, we corresponded recently re my son having problems with the 1.5 mile run in AF BMT.  He was discharged with a code of JGA 4C.  This code doesn't seem to provide him with the opportunity to return to the Air Force in 6 months once he can make the required run within 11:57, which seems contrary to what he was repeatedly told by his instructors (You said get it in writing but they reportedly didn't want to do that, and he didn't feel comfortable contesting the discharge which I can understand to some extent).  He's home less than 24 hours, is exercising and running in hopes of getting back in within 6 months. He said that he really fell in love with the Air Force and military life.  I am thinking that one option would be for him to go back to college and complete his 2 1/2 to 3 years for his degree. Is he eligible to join AFROTC is college having just come out of the enlisted part of the Air Force?  More so, can he be commissioned in the Air Force with this history of an ELS discharge coded JGA 4C, since enlisted and commissioned membership are two separate entities?  I need to sit and talk with him soon because I don't want him living on false hopes.  He is 20 and needs to move on if needed.  Thanks.

ANSWER: To be honest the Air Force dished him a bad meal. This is what I suggest what he do. Give it 6 months. After 6 months, try another branch of service. As I said before, the Air Force doesnt have a Prior Service Program which after discharge, your son would fall under.

Have him check with the other services, but in the mean time have him keep running to improve his time!!
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It is possible that another service will prove successful for him....

H

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

QUESTION: He's thinking along those lines.  However, can you address that part of my question that asks about being commissioned after graduation from college and possibly participating in ROTC, since it's seems that the enlisted tract is a separate entity from the commissioned officer tract?  Thanks.

Answer
Normally the  ROTC program is applied for during the junior year of highschool to get a scholarship, there are other ways to get into the commissioning program. Students can participate in a ROTC status that gives them points towards enlistment. These points are also counted towards OTS as well...

The best advise that I can offer you on ROTC programs, since they are forever changing, is to contact the ROTC commander at the university that your son plans on going to. The commander or the  First Seargeant can help guide you and assist you in getting your son in the right program to meet his goals...

H