Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/28/2011

Question
Hi Colonel Howell,

I served in the Marine Corps from 2003-2008 and was discharged Honorably with a re-entry code of RE-3P and a separation code of MCF1. I suffered a knee injury in Iraq in 2005 and after a year of physical therapy and no improvement I was seen by the Director of Orthopedics at the base hospital and he did multiple MRI's that he said showed significant inflammation, but no tears or other damage. He elected to do arthroscopic surgery on my knee just to make sure there were no small tears the MRI's didn't pick up and nothing was found. After the surgery I was on crutches and limited duty for another year because the inflammation in my knee would not subside, patella-femoral pain syndrome was the final diagnosis because there was no explanation they could find. I never went before a medical board and was granted early separation to attend college. The early separation was only 30 days before my EAS so I could be home in time, with the addition of my accrued leave, to begin the college semester.

Since my separation from the Marine Corps I have had no problems with my knee and have not seen any doctors. Once I was home and able to give my knee proper rest, instead of the grueling tasks I had to maintain in lieu of my limited duty, the inflammation subsided and I was able to begin running and doing physical activities again with no issues and have maintained a fairly active lifestyle. I was granted 50% disability from the VA, nothing from the military. 30% of the 50% was for my knee and the rest were a couple of small things like acute sinus problems and some other small issues that were associated with the knee injury that were just noted in my medical record, but nothing was ever done about them and I never "complained" about those issues while serving. Basically the DAV person who went through my medical record found and submitted everything they could find while I was going through the separation process.

I was wondering if I could possibly get the RE code changed and what the process would be as I would like to re-enter the Marine Corps, or any other branch really, and would really like to get commissioned after I graduate, which should be December 2012. I will be just past my 30th birthday when I graduate.

Sorry for being so long winded and thank you for your time!

John Williams

Answer
John,
Are you sure you want to go through that crap again?  You could aggravate that old injury and be discharged again.

So if you're sure, go see a recruiter today.  He can help arrange it so you can attend OCS after you graduate.  Should any waivers be required he'll be the one that will submit them for you.
Good luck,
Colonel H