Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/5/2011

Question
Col Howell, I joined the Army in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and was discharged under honorable conditions in 2008.  I have an RE3 JKA designation.  I feel as I was railroaded  out of the military because of issues between myself and the First Sgt.  Without going into a whiny diatribe, I will say that I tried to fight my eventual discharge, but everything I did to protect myself made matters worse.  I was eventually isolated from the rest of the unit, placed on restriction, and basically made to ride it out til I was separated, although I'd served my punishment, completed my AIT training, and graduated.  I was told that I could come back in six months so at the time I just wanted to go to ANY other unit because I knew that my issues were of a personal nature between myself and the senior NCO.  So, I figured after the alloted six months, Id just reenlist because I knew had I been anywhere else, I wouldnt be going through all of that turmoil.  Well to make a long story short, here it is 2011 and Im still trying to get back in.  After the six months I was told to wait, the Army placed a moratorium on waivers.  Then they stopped accepting prior service because they were at full strength.  Now Im told they have dropped the age limit from 42 to 35.  Im 40 (although with a BA and an MS degree).  I just want to know am I allowed to join ANY branch of the US military? If so, which ones and what are my options.  Im prior service and Im wondering about Navy, or Air Force reserves if the Army is totally out of the question.  Maybe there is a chance to go AMEDD as an officer?

Answer
Dedrick,
Sorry to hear about your problems.  Occasionally you run into somebody in a position of authority who can be a real butt.  Unfortunately you ran into him.  These guys can be idiots who abuse what little bit of power they've been given.

A Separation Code of JKA means exactly, "Discreditable Incidents, whether Civilian or Military"
A Re-Entry code of RE-3 means exactly, "Individuals who are not qualified for continued Army service, but the disqualification is waiverable.  Ineligible for enlistment unless a waiver is granted."

After your 6 months you got caught up in the system.  You were told correct about no waivers and no prior-service for now.  An yes, they dropped the age limit, so you basically got screwed.

At your age, the only thing you qualify for now is the Army reserves.  Below is the complete list, by age limits.

Air Force 27
Coast Guard - Age 27
Marines 28
Marine Corps Reserve 29
Air Force Reserve 34
Navy 34
Army National Guard 35  (changed from 42 in 2009)
Naval Reserves 39
Coast Guard Reserves 39
Air National Guard 40  (Was 34 prior to 2009)
Army 35 (was 42)
Army Reserves 42


If you want to try the Army Reserves, wait until 1 October when the new quotas come out.  That will increase your odds.  Because you are "reenlisting" and not "enlisting" a recruiter gets $0 for  bringing you back in.  So sometimes they won't expend any effort helping you.  Also The recruiter has only a small quota for re-enlistees and they go fast.

You may need to find a recruiter that will help you.  The Army will only reduce you in rank by one grade.  Also you do not have to start all over again with boot camp, etc.
Best of luck,
Colonel H