Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 5/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi my name is Cesar.  I joined the army on May of 2003, but during my first weeks of basic training I was discharged because I had colotis. This year of 2009 I tried to reenlist with re-3 which I am allowed to reenlist.  I passed my asvab and physical, but needed a waiver for the colotis and a kidney stone I had last November of 2008.  My recruiter got back to me a few days later saying the waiver was disapproved.  He told me to try the National Guard since the standards are different and would for sure be allowed to enlist.  I talked to a Marine recruiter and he said to take all the paperwork I have.  I have been to the doctor and says I no longer have the existing condition.  I am getting all my medical records to make it more helpfull for my waiver to get approved.  Do you guys think I would be able to enlist? I think its not fair to not be able to join the military for a condition I no longer have.

ANSWER: Dear Cesar --

I cannot predict if the Marines or the Army National Guard will grant you a waiver for your prior medical condition, but if you want to serve, you should try.

The medical requirements are established to ensure that a prior condition will not worsen a Soldier's health during the stress of training and service.  Since colitis is worsened by stress, you may be precluded from enlisting to ensure you do not have a recurrence of the disease.  Other requirements are in place to ensure that other Soldiers are not injured because a prior condition keeps you from meeting the standard and injuring them through an inability to do your mission.  The standards are to protect enlistees and Soldiers, not to be unfair.

Good luck to you.



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

QUESTION: I've work in some stressful enviroment in my civilian job, but have never caused a problem to me.  Why was I given an re3 code if I would not be allowed to rejoin.  The military doctor who discharged me told me that I would be allowed to join two years later.  Are the marine doctors the same as army doctors at meps?  I like your anwer and it makes perfect sense too mostly when it means my life or the life of others.  What do you suggest me to do?  I want to serve and I know I can.  I looked up at the symptoms for colotis and I have not have a symptoms like those, but I have been in the hospital for constipated which the doctor told me I needed more fiber like grain cereal.  I hope you can help me because I know I could do the training and I know I will be okay in combat.

Answer
Dear Cesar --

Unfortunately, the doctor that reviewed your initial entry discharge mislead you.  An re 3 reentry code means you cannot re-enlist due to a medical condition or a performance or behavioral issue that is unlikely to improve.  Only re code 4 is more restrictive.

However, you can request a waiver for an re 3 code, if you can show you no longer have the medical condition, or performance issue.  

All the services use the same doctors at MEPS.  However, the services have slight variations in their requirements, and what conditions they will waive.  So you may get a different decision from another service.

If you are determined to serve again, apply to re-enlist in one of the services reserve element, with a waiver.  There is no guarantee the service will grant you a waiver, but you can still try.

Good luck to you.