Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: I received an honorable discharge but would like to go back - my discharge was due to the fact that I did not list I had suicidal thoughts when I was 14 - I was on medication for acne at the time (accutane-which caused depression, and then welbutrin- which caused the suicidal thoughts.  Both were prescribed and after my parent realized what was happening, took me off them and I haven't had these thoughts since.  My commanding officers wanted me to stay but had to send the report to D.C. and I was given and honorable discharge but I really want to be in the Coast Guard.  Can I go back in and if so, how do I do it?

ANSWER: Anthony,
Accutane quite often causes suicidal thoughts but you'd be hard-pressed to prove that Welbutrin caused them.  It may for the first few weeks that you took it, but it usually has quite the opposite effect.

Because both drugs have a potential for misuse and abuse, the military doesn't allow it's use after age 12.

There's some info missing in your question.  So you WERE in the USCG?  How did they discover you were on these drugs as a teen?  When were you discharged?  How old are you now?  In your discharge paperwork you should have a DD 214 Form.  At the bottom of it there is a Discharge Code and a Re-Entry Code (blocks 26 and 27).  Please send me those codes and I'll decipher them for you.  They will hold the answer to your question.

I'm assuming you meet all other requirements and have no legal problems?

Colonel H

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

QUESTION: Hi Colonel H,

Thanks for the reply - here are the answers to your questions.  I received a separation code of JDA and the reentry code of RE4.  Yes, I was in the USCG.  I am 23.  I was discharged Aug. 6.

What happened was that I had a conversation regarding the mind and I brought up my childhood suicidal thoughts.  This got relayed to my superior officers, they sent me to see the psychiatrist and doctor who stated that I was fine.

I met with the commanding officer and CWO who told me that they were discharging me.  I was asked if I wanted to stay in and told them that I wasn't sure since I hadn't been in long enough to know and then signed the paperwork.  A week later, I talked to the CWO and told him I wanted to rescind my signature but he told me it was too late, the paperwork had already been sent to D.C.  My only chance was the prior meeting.

I have no other problems - in fact my chain of command officers (5 of them) all felt I was doing a great job and commented that they thought I would go far in the service.  I met all requirements and have no legal problems.

ANSWER: Anthony,

A Separation Code of JDA means exactly "Fraudulent entry".  By this they're saying you probably lied on your enlistment forms when you checked the "NO" block when it asked if you had "ever seen a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor or other professional for any reason."

What is your Re-Entry Code (block 27)?

Colonel H


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

QUESTION: re entry code is RE4

Answer
Anthony,
I was hoping you made a mistake when you said RE-4 in your original question.  A Re-Entry Code of RE-4 means exactly, "Not recommended for reenlistment."  Individuals with a Coast Guard RE Code of 4 are not eligible to reenlist in their service, nor join another service.

Sorry, I thought you had a chance up until you said RE-4.  That's the "Kiss of death."

You could get a lawyer and try to fight it to get the RE-4 changed, but it's purposely very difficult and expensive.  You must prove the government made a mistake and they're never willing to admit that.  Almost everyone loses these kind of appeals.

Sorry,
Colonel H