Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/16/2009

Question
Dear Mr. Lorenz,
I am sending this follow up message to you becuase Colonel Bedell is not taking any questions right now. Any help and input you may have to offe would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Colonel Bedell,
I asked you a question pertaining to re-enlistment into the ARMY 1 year ago and you responded. I am still working towards my goal of becoming eligible to re-enlist in the ARMY and I have another question for you. I will include a copy of my original question from a year ago and your response to it to help with understanding my entire situation. At this point, I have not given up on my goal of re-enlisting.

In summary, I was given a general discharge under honorable conditions with an re-4 from the ARMY after getting an underage dui and testing positive for Marijuana. I appeared in front of the ARMY review board in September 2008. The board did in fact change my Discharge type to Honorable but did NOT change the re-entry code. Since September I completed a 90 day inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program, completed a 12 step program, and completed community work all with the intention to prove I am still an asset and took measures to prove myself as a competent and healthy person. I am in the process of completing paperwork to request another hearing in front of the ARMY review board to prove I am serious and capable of serving my country responsibly. My Congressman is again offering his support by forwarding my paperwork to the board. I did not compete the rehabilitation prior to the September board meeting because I didn’t have the means to pay for the expense of a program at that time.

My question to you is simply to request any advice or input you may have to offer to make my meeting successful.

Sincerely,
Dan

ORIGINAL QUESTION FROM LAST YEAR
Subject     ARMY review board - appearing in front of
Question     Dear Ms Bedell,
I served in the ARMY for 1 year before getting a general discharge under honorable conditions for testing positive for marijuana in September 2007. Prior to the marijuana test I got a DUI on base. My work performance was above average. My re-entry code is re4.
I requested to have my case reviewed and my re-entry code changed to a code that will allow me to work with a recruiter and use waivers so that I am eligible to reenlist and again serve. My state congressman gave support and backing to my endeavor by writing a letter of support and he forwarded my formal request to the board.

I got notification of my day to appear in front of the board (sept 8 2008)  What suggestions or input can you provide that will make my appearance in front of the board successful? Should I wear class a's? And in your opinion do you believe I stand a chance at having the board agree to change my re-code?
thank you
sincerely
Dan
________________________________________
Answer     Dear Dan --

Since you are no longer in the Army, I do not recommend you wear your class As.  I recommend you wear a nice suit, and look "military" in your grooming and haircut, despite not being in uniform.

The biggest thing you can do to prove you are serious about your change in behavior and desire to serve successfully this time, is to complete a substance abuse avoidance program.  This can be a simple classroom program, that teaches you about yourself and what your triggers are that cause you to behave dangerously and abuse alcohol and other drugs.  Complete one of these programs and bring the certificate with you to your board hearing.

At the board hearing you should be able to articulate:

1.  Why you want to return to military service.

2.  How you have matured since you left the service.

3.  How you know you have a better understanding of yourself, and how to resist misconduct and temptation.

4.  Jobs you have held on the outside that show your new maturity and dependability.  These may be paying jobs, or volunteer jobs as long as you had to report regularly and you were dependable and effective.

If you can do all of that you have a very good chance of winning your appeal and having the board grant you a better re-enlistment code.

If you can do the top three but not the 4th, you have a fair (but still possible chance) of succeeding.

The most import things for you are to be able to show you are not a habitual substance abuser, and that you have overcome the issues that caused the abuse during your first military tour, and that you have achievable goals for yourself and your military service.

Please write back, if you wish to discuss any issues further.  Good luck to you.

   Cynthia Bedell
Colonel, US Army

US Army


Answer
Dan,

I am sure that you have been working diligently in securing an opportunity to reenlist. You ahve an RE code of 4 which states:

Individuals separated from last period of service with a nonwaiverable disqualification (refer to AR 601-280). Ineligible for enlistment except as provided for in paragraphs 2-7c and 2-7d. (See waiverable moral and administrative disqualifications.
Disqualilication is nonwaivable.

With out having access to the Army Regulation to be sure, I can only speculate that you will have to have either an RE code waiver from the Army or an upgrade to the RE code to allow reentry. If you can get access to this regulation, it will spell it out for you in B& W everything that you will either need to do or are unable to do.

I do beleive that the Col. is sincere in her thoughts about  you returning to duty, but Your burden of proof is with the board. There is really nothing that she can do other than maybe writing a letter of reference or something to that effect.

You want to take with you or present to the borad everyting that you have done to better yourself..such as college transripts, GPA's, volunteerism, all that defines who you are now vs who you were then.  This will be the major deciding factor in your return to duty.

H