Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/15/2010

Question
Dear Sir,

I am going to explain my past the shortest way I can to hopefully elaborate my question a little more;

I was in the Navy for almost 3 years. I was stationed in San Diego, CA as an Aviation Electrician's mate. My first orders were to a squadron, I got into trouble and sent to mast. My sentence was basically 45/45, overall losing my orders to the squadron. I was S*** hot while on restriction, and was taken under the wing of a Senior Chief. I was late for muster once for daylight savings, and again by 30 seconds because I completely lost track of time....BOTH resulting in another DRB and visit to the Captain. So I ended up being on restriction for a total of 100 consecutive days. The Senior Chief ended up getting me orders to stay in CA knowing I wanted to train in San Diego to become a rescue swimmer and cross-deck to the Coast Guard.

I ended up in AIMD shore duty...which was amazing! And total luck. The command gave me a complete fresh start. Anyway, I messed up again. I never had problems while in uniform, it was only off duty. I was caught shoplifting at the NEX for a $30 bottle of perfume. I went to mast, again, and was given yet, another chance. I had to do extra duty with the CMC of 31 years for a month, who in turn grew a liking to me, and asked me (a newly knocked down Airman (again)), to be a side-boy at his retirement ceremony. I was in shock...I was honored. He had even called my dad (long history of Navy in my family) and told him that I would be a side-boy, IF I could stay out of trouble that long. The week of his ceremony, I was caught shoplifting for the same bottle of perfume, in the same NEX. That was it. No more chances...I didn't even go to mast for that one. They sent me to therapy, which actually might have explained to me the reasoning for doing what I did, because to this day, I STILL could not tell you why I did it. I wake up everyday wishing I could turn back time Sir.........

CMC had made sure I was given an honorable, and I was. So now I am out with an honorable, and an RE-4, and there is nothing I want more in this world then to go back and do what I never had the chance to do - become a rescue swimmer for the USCG.

My question to you is this: Is it possible to get the RE-4 waived/wiped/changed to an RE-1? And if so, what do I have to do?

Thank you for your time Sir.
Meghan Zieres

Answer
Meghan,
I'm sorry to hear that you've had so much trouble.

Getting an RE code changed is nearly impossible.  To do so you must file an apeal to the  Discharge Review Board.  You must do so wuthin 3 years of discharge.  You should use a DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Record. Mail the completed form to the appropriate address on the back side of the form.

The Board will correct your military records only if you can prove that you are the victim of error or injustice. You do this by providing evidence, such as signed statements from you and other witnesses or copies of records that support your case.  It is not enough to provide the names of witnesses.  The Board will not contact your witnesses to obtain statements, YOU must contact your witnesses to get their signed statements saying the Navy was wrong, with your request.

Remember, the Navy does not care about how much you've changed since then, only if they made a mistake in your discharge.  And the military/government doesn't like to admit they've made mistakes.  That's why they deliberately made the change process so difficult.

In your case, it would be hard to prove they made a mistake since you admit to your wrongdoing.

Just consider yourself fortunate that you received an Honorable discharge.

Good luck,
Colonel Howell