Expert: Rod Powers - 5/3/2007

Question
Hello. I was wondering what happens if a discharge is not upgraded. Lets say that happens and I still have an RE-4 from the Navy. I then try to join the National Guard after getting denied an upgrade. Will being denied and RE code upgrade prevent me from possibly joining the National Guard? Will it be best to try and join the guard first? Thank you for your time.  

Answer
Hi Brandon,

Okay, you may be confused over terms.

A discharge "upgrade," refers to characterization of the discharge. For example, requesting an upgrade of "general" to "honorable," or "under other than honorable" to "general." It has nothing to do with the RE Code (although usually if a discharge characterization upgrade is approved, the RE Code is considered for change, as well). For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/dischargeupg.htm

A change in your RE Code, on the other hand, is not a "discharge upgrade." It's a request to make a change to your military records, because you think you can prove that the RE Code that was applied to your particular discharge was issued in error. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcebase/a/chgrecords.htm

In any event, enlisting in the National Guard with an RE Code of "4" is possible (with a waiver), but rare -- extremely rare. It happens, but only if the Guard is convinced that the RE Code was issued in error in the first place.

Being denied a change of RE Codes by the appropriate Military Records Review Board, won't be a factor. In fact, unless you elect to tell them (not necessary, as it's not a question which is asked on the enlistment paperwork), the National Guard won't even know if a change in RE Code was disapproved or not by the applicable services records review board.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com