Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/28/2010

Question
Hello sir, I was recently in the Air Force BMT. I was entry level separated with a Re-4. I was separated because I didnt tell MEPS that I had fallen while ice skating. When I fell it was just a fall I didnt have any injuries from it or anything. If I had stayed in the rehibilitation part of it I wouldn't have been separated, but I didnt want to wait forever to get out of that process so they pretty much separated me because they had  my medical records that showed that I did see a civilian doctor for the ice skating incident.I was wondering is there was a possibility that I could join the Army ROTC while I'm in college? Thankyou for taking you time out to read this.

Answer
Shanelle,
That's a tough one because a you left enlisted an are trying to re-enter as an officer.

A Reenlistment Eligibility code of RE-4 means you are normally not eligible to reenlist in the Air Force, nor join another service.  They're basically lumping you into the category of folks who enlist via fraudulent means, meaning they had a pre-existing injury and lied about it to enlist.

You need to see what your Separation code says.  Down at the bottom of your DD-214 form, beside your RE code, you'll find your separation code. It'll probably say something like GKG.  That will tell you how they classified your discharge and influence the military's decision to take you back.

I'm glad to hear you're in college now.  I doubt if the ROTC folks will like your RE-4 discharge, but that shouldn't keep you from trying.  The worst they can say is no.

Please let me know if it works for you because I've never seen it tried before and I'd like to advise others.
Good luck,
Colonel H