Expert: Rod Powers - 3/18/2007

Question
I have been searching the Internet, networking with old contacts from the Army and even talking to recruiters, the DAV, the VA and many other people about this possibility. Rumor has it that the one and only way to be eligible to re-enlist having and RE4 is from coming off of TDRL. I have been on TDRL since December of 2005. I am now coming off of the TDRL list and receiving severance pay, with a 0% disability. When I entered TDRL I was told I would have the option to come back in the Army after I was removed from the list. Well my DD214 has a RE4 on it because I was listed as Retired, and Temporary Retirement. I have browsed many Army Regulations, DA PAM's, and I am only finding tidbits of what TDRL has to do with re-enlistment and my options there after. I also looked into US Statutes and found a little bit of supporting evidence, but the recruiter who is helping me (and old buddy from active duty) isn't too sure this is going to work. I need to know if you know where else to look, what else to do, who to talk to to get this straight, besides the ABCMR...I would like to get in soon, not in 2012 when they might fix it. Please help if you can, thank you.

Matthew

Answer
Hi,

You're asking for a "magic solution," and there ain't none.

I'm afraid that the only way to change your RE Code is to submit a request to the ABCMR. There's no other way around this. Your RE Code is a part of your military records, and the only way to change this is to request a change to your military records. Pure and simple -- no magic, no gimmicks. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcebase/a/chgrecords.htm

Otherwise, your "recruiter buddy" can request a waiver for the RE Code through the recruiting command. Each and every waiver request is evaluated indivudally, so there is no telling whether or not such a waiver would be considered.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com