Expert: John L - 6/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: Here is my situation. I had a issue in Aug 08 where I was having difficulty catching my breath and nervous. Went to a Urgent care dr who said I was hyperventilating and asked personal questions which basically boiled down to because my grandfather(best friend) had passed and broke up with girlfriend and my grandmother( who was in hospital with serious surgery) these things were weighing on my mind and I was anxious about it even subconciously and caused this issue. Anyway in Sept I enlisted in Navy and filled out the paperwork and answered all the questions but didn't think anymore about this issue so on the question about anxiety or nervous I had checked no as well as Er visits I checked no when I forgot I had stitches two years ago froma baseball accident. I did tell all this to the recruiter afterwards who said it should be ok. In Dec I started having the issues periodically again and went to regular dr. He wanted to run stress test and ultrasound to make sure all ok before I left for bootcamp. My recruiter was aware of this and it was Jan and my leave date was in Feb. Test turned out fine and Dr just said all test were negative and nothing to worry about. My mom said it was just probably a panic attack over things getting close and my grandpa's both passing both ex military. My dr sent the records to my recruiter via fax and then she later called me withmy new departure date of March 27. I figured all had been cleared with the Navy and now felt good that all was in records. I went to boot camp and within three days I had an episode of shaking and nervous. I of course immediately thought of the other spells and was sent to talk to a psych dr. where I went through all the above. He recommended me to leave and I was shocked. Long story short he classified as panic attacks without agor something and I was given an Re4 and a JDa. I do not understand how I have a fradulent entry when my dr sent the records to the recruiter and I have proof of that. I didn't say anything at the moment of truth because I thought that information was already in my records then. I also feel that the spell I had there was not the same and after talking with my mom I think it was low blood sugar as I had not eaten much since I arrived as I had a hard time adjusting to that food. I wish they would of checked that out to see and it didn't help that I mentioned the word panic attack only because my mom had said that to me before not my dr. I want to get my Re code changed and at least that fraudlent entry off of my dd214. Is this possible? I want back in the Navy if not the Army. I have not had any more issues and am willing to see a psychiatrist to prove i dont' have panica attacks. Please tell me what my chances are. The dr there said I would be able to come back in with a waiver so why did he or whoever give me an re 4
Thanks
Matt

ANSWER: Since you got fraudulent, it was something that was not logged about your attacks before you left.  The bad news is a RE4 bans you from rejoining the military due to a disqualifyer.  The Army might be able to consider you ina year if they change their poilicy back, but the navy will never.

There is no way you can change youe code, but since it was uncharacterized, it does not look bad upon you, only a dishonorable or other than honorable is bad.

Sorry i dont have better news, It sounds like you did the right thing, but your panic attacks would be an issue in the military and you caould put your life, as well as others in danger if it happens at the wrong time.  That is why they discharged you.

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

QUESTION: Can I get the fraudulent changed if I can prove my Dr.sent the recruiter the information and she apparently did not send it in? I really don't like a piece of paper that makes it look like I lied. I was told I have to check yes for military service and then when I show this paper it makes me look bad.

Answer
You may if they ask you more about it.  You do not have to provide info on your military service, they just want to know if it was honorable, yours will be uncharacterized, so you don't really have to mark down yes since you did not make it out of boot camp unless you go for a govt job.

It does not look bad on you to have uncharacterized, which it would be.