Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: My son is in Basic Training at Lackland AFB and has successfully completed all but his 1.5 mile run.  He was placed in the Fit Flight and has progressed, but is still 1:03seconds behind, and he was given a 1 week extension to do it.  He says that if he's discharged, he can return to Active Duty Air Force in 6 months once he meets the 11:57 requirement.  Is that true? In addition, he was investigated for a Top Secret Clearance for the job that was guaranteed to him.  If he is eligible for the Clearance and is = or < 1:00 off the 11:57 requirement, will they let him go to Tech School on probation?  Thanks.

ANSWER: To be truthful, I have never heard of anyone being able to return... I know that they are told that... I am not sure if its a 6 month window of sorts that they have to return in or what.....have him get it in black & white before he leaves Lackland.  Once he returns he is classified as prior service and the Air Force right now doesnt have a prior service program. As for the waiver, I am not sure about that. It would make sense to allow him to proceed as long as he continues to make steady progress, but I personally have not heard of that.

I wish him all the best...

H

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

QUESTION: Would it be advisable to ask him to talk with the Chaplain Services or the Base Legal office to see if he has any options with regard to requesting to be sent to Tech School on probation? He's just so close, and with a Top Secret clearance all but wrapped up, the Air Force laid out a small investment on him also.  Thanks for your expedient response.  I'm definitely impressed.

ANSWER: It never hurts to confide in those avenues although they will not guarantee him a probation of sorts. His best recourse it to try and make the time. This is why I couldnt stress enough the importance of being able to make this run before they went to BMT. I drilled this into every one of my recruits. I believe that this could possible be a recruiter failure to inform type situation.

If your son pushes him self, he can make this run.

H

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

QUESTION: Mr. Lorenz, my son unfortunately did not make the run, but is still very motivated even though he was told that he will now be discharged.  He asked if he could still join th Fit Flight for workouts and they reportedly has permitted him to do so.  I'm not sure about the timed runs every Tuesday, but what if he meets the time requirements while awaiting discharge; can the discharge decision be reversed?  Can he appeal his discharge now for more time?  Can the commander look at it and rule that he be placed on 'probation' since he is 1 minute off, has had no disciplinary problems, and still appears to be motivated and enthused (since the final discharge decision reportedly rests on the commander?  Will the legal people talk with him as part of the discharge process? Thanks (in advance) for answering these new questions.

Answer
what he needs to do now is MAKE SURE THAT ANYTHING THAT HE IS TOD IN REGARDS TO REENTRY ---HE GETS IN BLACK & WHITE...!!!!

I cant stress that enough, becasue if he dont get what they are telling him in writing he will not be able to reenter the air force. The Air Force does not have a prior service program that I am aware of at this time. Once he is discharged, he is classified as "Prior Service" .

Now if he can make the run and he wants to enter another service, most have has PS program and he may benefit from that. I would have him continue to make the time keep fit and stay out of trouble, who knows, he may enter an other military service and do fine..

I hoe that everything works out for him and sorry to hear he came up short..


H