Expert: Rod Powers - 9/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Mr. Powers,
My name is Joe. I had an entry level seperation from the Navy in 2008 with an RE code of 4, and an uncharacterized discharge. I have tried to change my reentry code once already a few months ago and was denied. The BCNR replied stating that I displayed an antisocial personality disorder and drug abuse in remission, which is news to me, and I believe is very untrue. I have done quite a bit of research lately and believe I can prove that this diagnosis was in error.
  I was diagnosed with PTSD, and depression while in the Navy and had quite a few things going on in my personal life regarding finances and my relationship with my wife and was under a great deal of stress. I was having a hard time coping with the chalenges of military life and was about 4 days behind schedule of my modules in ATT. Long story short I was discharged and issued an RE4 and cannot reenlist. I had no record of misconduct or drug abuse while in the Navy. I have staightened out quite a few things since then and realy want to serve my country once more, I believe my wife and I are much more prepared for the challenges we'd face if allowed the opportunity to reenlist and am dead set on becoming a successful military professional.
   I am going to be 29 years of age in January and am feeling very anxious, because I'm not getting any younger. So I guess my question is do you think it is at all possible to reenlist with a waiver? Is it likely that I would be allowed to reenlist, and if so should I steady the coarse in regards to the BCNR? What would you recommend I do in order to increase my chances of being successful in my goal of reenlisting and serving my country?

ANSWER: Hi Josiah,

I'm afraid the Navy (including the Navy reserves) is not going to accept you with an RE-4 code which was issued by the Navy.

Your RE-4 code will also preclude enlisting in the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserves, the Marine Corps, and the Marine Corps Reserves.

The Army (including the Army Reserves and Army National Guard) will sometimes waive an RE-4 code issued by the Navy, but the bad news is that the Army is currently doing very, very well meeting their recruiting goals (because of the sucky civilian job market), and aren't considering many waivers right now.

Even if/when the Army starts considering waivers again, in order to get an RE-4 code waived, you're going to have to convince them that the original reason for discharge no longer applies, and is not likely to happen again in the future.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


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

QUESTION: Mr. Powers, thank you very much for your reply. That's actually the best news I've heard in months, even though the situation and possibility of reenlisting still looks glimb. If you don't mind me asking, how would I go about proving the previous condition doesn't exist? Would that just be getting a reference from a psychologist? And do you think it would be a good idea to speak with a recruiter, or do you think I would just get blown off? I'm also thinking about, and saving up to hire a lawyer to help me in accomplishing my task. You wouldn't happen to know who the best lawyer to hire would be would you? Thank you very much for your help and knowledge in this matter. I realy appreciate it Mr.Powers. Have an outstanding day!
Respectfully,
Josiah Gonzales

Answer
At a very, very minimum, you would need a diagnosis from the psychologist or psychiatrist that plainly states that the Navy's diagnosis was in error, or no longer exists.

Once you have that statement, in my opinion, it would be much easier to enlist, if you first used that documentation to change your RE Code with the Board, than try to enlist with an RE-4 Code waiver (which almost never happens).

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com