Expert: John L - 8/19/2009

Question
I know you have answered re-enlistment questions, but would appreciate an answer tailored to my situation.  

Prior to shipping for recruit training for the Navy, I was drug tested at MEPS twice; constantly while a member of the delayed entry program by my naval recruiters, and immediately upon arrival at Great Lakes Naval Station; all of which were found to be negative for drugs.  I had expressed my desire not to ship to my recruiters about 2 weeks prior to leaving.  I was told by my recruiters that I had to leave or be reported AWOL and have criminal charges brought against me.  I have since learned that this was not true and against regulations for them to tell me.  I was sexually propositioned and harrassed by my recruiter who was relieved of his duties because of this.
Upon arrival at Great Lakes in May 2001, I informed the Chain of Command that I had no desire to be there and just wanted to go home.  I was sent to the separation section the next day to begin outprocessing the Navy.  Separations sent me for a Psych eval which they said was standard practice.  I was questioned by the psychiatrist about drug use and abuse and childhood and background information.  After talking with me for an hour he told me that the only way he would be able to recommend a discharge was for me to admit to drug abuse prior to enlisting.  I also know that it is my word against his.  But I have not done drugs and have never failed a drug test, whether for the military or employment.  I have since learned that there are provisions for people to separate from the service for other reasons and not receive an RE4 code.  I was given an uncharacterized discharge for erroneous entry-drug abuse.  I thought (maybe it has changed since 2001) that erroneous entry was an RE3 code.  Obviously that would allow me to re-enter the service with a waiver.
I tried in 2003 with the help of a friend who was an Army recriter to have it changed to failure to adapt.  He said that was the only thing I could change it to.  I filled out a form DD-293 and sent it in, only to have it sent back with a letter advising me to seek counsel.  I didn't have thousands to spend on an attorney, and the recruiter told me that there was no way they would change my code, so I gave up. The letter sent with my returned form checked several items that were needed, but with several items, they could only check one or the other (i.e., item a or b, not both).  I have both items checked.
Long story short, I have pulled my head out of my rear, got married (my spouse is AD USAF and inspired me to start this process again), obtained two college degrees, and I am not giving up this time.  All I need to do is have someone give me a list of what needs to be done and have the faith to stand by me and give me that chance.  In a perfect world, I would be able to become a commissioned officer in the Air Force.
Thanks for all your help


Answer
The re4 is a career stopper, it bans you from the military service in the navy and all services right now are not allowing RE4's to join.

Basically, there is nothing you can do to join the military as long as you have an RE4, and changing it is very difficult.  If you havent checked out VA.gov for ways to change it, do so, but unless you have documentation for you, they will not do so.