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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Naval Discharge (RE-4)
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Question
My son was discharged during basic training...he admitted to a chief that he'd tried some drug on his last birthday (not the smartest thing I know), but the chief told him that they had to send him home because it had been less than a year since he'd tried this drug. He has been talking to the Coast Guard, and wants to join. However, he evidentially needs to get his discharge upgraded to at least an RE-3...what do we need to do, and is it possible to have this done. I've read that we need to fill out a DD Form 293, and I've also read that it is unlikely for it to be upgraded. What is the best approach? Many thanks from a concerned parent!
Kristie
Hi Kristie,
An "Re-4" discharge code generally means the person is not eligibility to re-enlist in any branch of service.
I'm sorry, but if your son received an RE-4 discharge from the Navy, there is more to it than you know. The Navy will generally give a break for a single drug-use, and issue an Re Code of "3." Because he got an RE-Code of "4," there is something that your son didn't relate to you (you may ask to see the actual discharge notification paperwork, which will list the actual reason for the discharge, in detail).
In any event, even if he got the RE-Code upgraded, it wouldn't do him any good, at least for enlisting in the Coast Guard. Keep in mind that (1) The Coast Guard only has room for a few new recruits each year, and (2) one of their primary duties is law enforcement against drugs. Because of these two factors, the Coast Guard does not issue many waivers concerning drug abuse (except for minor experimentation with marijuna).
Sorry, but that's just the way it is.
Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com
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Rod Powers
Expertise
Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience
Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
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