Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/13/2007

Question
   
    Cynthia,
         I regret as each day passes that I ever wen AWOL when I was in the Navy. I was AWOL for 6 months, it was the worst decision I ever made. Now as each day does passed I want to join back up, not in the Navy, but either the Army or Marines.  Do you think there is anyway that I can get back into the military? Is their anything I can do? I've made my mistakes in life, now I'm just trying to fix them.

Answer
Dear Jeff --

Whether you can enlist in another service will all depend on your discharge classification on your DD Form 214.  It will be possible to re-enlist if you received a general discharge or better, and the classification code does not deny you re-enlistment.

You will have to apply for a waiver for prior poor performance/behavior, and give good testimony about why you are more mature now, and would never go AWOL again.  A good recruiter would work with you to prepare the waiver package.  Your recruiter can only do this, if your re-enlistment classification grants qualified re-enlistment eligibility.

To check whether your code allows re-enlistment, you can chat with an Army recruiter at http://www.goarmy.com/ChatIndex.do?redirect=true

They can check your re-enlistment code and discuss your options with you.  If you do not have your DD Form 214, check with your Navy Records Center and get them to FAX you a copy.

Best of luck to you.