Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/how to get back into the military

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 2/11/2011


Question
my husband got an honorable discharge from the marines 4 years ago he hurt his shoulder in boot camp and decided not to have the surgery. Now we are about to lose all our benefits from the v.a so he is going to be getting his surgery done, so he can try to get back in. is there still a possibility that they will take him back?? he is supposed to have a formal hearing possibly in April, is there any advice that you can give us it would help a lot. thank you so much.

Answer
Holly,
If he was discharged from Boot Camp he likely had an Uncharacterized Discharge under Honorable Conditions, correct?  That merely means they simply didn't have enough time to evaluate his performance.

As long as he recovers well from the surgery and has a full range of motion with the affected arm/shoulder, with no residual weakness, or instability, he should be OK to rejoin.

He may not have to take Boot Camp over again.  He should talk to a recruiter and let him know his intentions.  That may make things easier.  He'll need to realize, he'll be considered a re-enlistee and not a new recruit.  Recruiters get $0 for re-enlistees so they're often reluctant to spend much time helping them.

Good luck,
Colonel H  

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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