Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Seperation and Reenlistment Codes

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/14/2009


Question
Have an ex-troop who I think was railroaded out while he had PTSD.  He has 2 DD214s; 1st lists Seperation Code as K13 and Reenlistment Code 1J, Second K22 and 4E. Can you "break" them for us please?
Bob Cope
Col, USAF (Ret)

Answer
Bob,
In general, Airmen with an Air Force RE Code of "1" may reenlist in the Air Force or another service with no problem.  Airmen with an Air Force RE Code of "4" are normally not eligible to reenlist in the Air Force nor any other Service.

The specific reenlistment codes you asked about are:
RE-1J = Eligible to reenlist but elected to separate
RE-4E = 1st term airman, A1C or below. completed 31 or more months, not eligible to reenlist in the Air Force.

Are you sure about the Separation Codes?  They are usually 3 number or 3 letters, not a combination of the two.  "K" codes usually come under the "other" category, not necessarily bad or good.  It covers thing like Early Release, Humanitarians, Release to go to OTS, Good of the Service, in lieu of courts martial, things like that.  Of course it could be something new I don't know about, but it's generally linked with early release.

I hope this helps,
   Mark

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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