Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi. ive read previous questions asked to you and im satisfied with your answers..

my fiance was in the army and discharged in feb 2008 for AWOL. he got under honorable conditions (general); a misconduct; JKQ(can you tell me what that is?); and a reentry code 3... he's been wanting to get back in ever since he turned himself in to the nearest base, and tried staying in when he went back to his unit. he's been told he can try to reenlist in oct 2009 with some waivers. we want to know what are his chances in getting back in, now more mature, engaged and a baby on the way..
thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Dear Abgail --

Although it is possible for your fiance to re-enlist, it will take three waivers due to his misconduct and his discharge and re-entry characterizations.

Under the current economic conditions, he will be competing with new recruits who require no waivers and have no negative history, so he will have a difficult time, and will not qualify for any enlistment bonuses.

If he is serious about re-enlisting, he should wait until the change of the fiscal year (October).  He should also do something between now and then to demonstrate his reliability, new-found maturity and leadership.  If he cannot get a job, volunteering for a charity such as a homeless shelter or habitat for humanity will improve his resume.

Good luck to you all.  I hope he can turn his life around and treat you and your child as you should be treated.



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

QUESTION: thank you so much for getting back to me so soon! it was really a relief that my fiance mite have a chance to turn his life around, but i was wondering if there have been soldiers that have accomplished in to re-enlisting to the military, or if they have accomplished to getting waivers?

Answer
Dear Abgail --

Yes, there have been discharged Soldiers who petitioned and received waivers for negative discharge characterizations and then were successful when they returned to service.  These individuals had really decided to turn their lives around.  They had learned from their mistakes, and were older and wiser about the decisions they had made.

A concern I offer you is that if your fiance is depending on you to do his footwork for him, he has not made the internal decision to turn his life around.  He is expecting you to turn his life around for him.  That cannot happen.  You cannot rescue him; he must rescue himself.  I wish you both success as you work through this, but I believe you should begin to look out for yourself and your own personal success.

Please write back, if you have other questions or concerns.