Expert: Rod Powers - 12/3/2007

Question
Hello Rod my name is Frank and I was a member of the Us Coast Guard from 91 -93... I was young and stupid and made a few errors in decisions. I was honorably discharged but given a RE-4 code and was given unsuitability as a reason for discharge. I have run into a brick wall and would like to join the army as a firefighter... I am already trained as a firefighter... or even work for the military as a civilian firefighter but I was told that a reentry code of RE-4 could keep me from that.... Could you please advise me on the best course of action... I heard that there are some veterans' groups that might help me at no cost to maybe help me to fill out forms or even grant me counsel.. any advice ill help... thank you for your time

-Frank

Answer
Hi Frank,

In general, the "RE code" (Reenlistment Eligibility Code) is, upon administrative discharge, imposed on you, based on regulation (tied into the "reason for discharge"), and your commander's recommendation as to whether or not you should be eligible to ever reenlist in any Military branch in the future.

As your active duty Coast Guard service was only for two years, that means you were most likely involuntarily discharged, before your normal term of enlistment (for the Coast Guard, that's 4 years) was up. whatever your "young and stupid few errors" were, it was apparently enough to convince the Coast Guard and your commanding officer that you should not be ever allowed to re-enter any branch of the U.S. Military. That's the reason for the "RE-4" Code. That's why you're running into a "brick wall."

Now, did you receive an "Honorable" discharge from the Coast Guard, or is your discharge characterization "General (under Honorable Conditions)"? It makes a difference in how you should approach this.