Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/4/2010

Question
Good afternoon Sir,
     Here is my situation;
         Sep. 04' I was honorably disharged from Indiana ANG for fraudulent entry.
                - I wanted out due to personal reasons back home, overheard that revelation of
                   private drug use would get me discharged quickly, so I told the drug officer
                    that I had used marijuana and ecstasy on 2 occasions. (though I have never
                    done drugs).  The drug officer asked me why I told him this and I said it was
                    because I wanted out.   (Before seeing him, I tried to get out through other
                     means such as; conscientious objector, back problems, and migranes,
                     though I was not successful)
                - I was discharged immediately., I was 19.  My re-entry code reads: Ineligible
 I am now 25 and highly interested in getting back into the military, I am ashamed of what I did, I did it because I received a 'dear john' letter and was trying to do anything to get back home and 'fix' things.  I was not in the right state of mind at the time that I made these decisions, and research would support that at that age I could not fully understand the consequences of my decision.
 - I believe that I should have recieved a discharge for fraudulent seperation not entry, and am seeking to upgrade my reentry code.  Also seeking any possible waivers for reentry seeing as I HAVE NOT actually taken the drugs that I admitted to.  
- I have done alot of research on this subject and it seems that a waiver of some type should be attainable, and that I should not have been discharged because the Air Force cannot prove the validity of the statement I made.  Possible? thank you for your help and your service to our country, David"

Answer
David,
Yours is a very unique situation.  I must admit I've never known anyone use that tactic to get out.  As you can testify, it worked...but at a cost.

Look at your discharge paperwork and find your DD214 Form.  Down at the bottom in Block 27 is your Re-Entry code.  If it's 1, 2, or 3 you're OK to rejoin but may need a waiver.  Take it to a recruiter and explain your situation and he'll help you apply for a waiver.
If it's 4 you're screwed and cannot rejoin any Service.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Colonel H