Expert: Howard Lorenz - 11/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: I joined the army directly after high school when i was 18. During my A.I.T training i got into some trouble and received a other than honorable dishcharge.It has been one year since and i am about to marry an Air Force airmen. My question is there any way to join the Air Force or any other branch of service after having this kind of discharge?

ANSWER: Miles,

The only way you could join the Air Force would be to go into the reserves or the Air guard in the area where she is stationed. The active duty sector does not take "Prior Service". If you chose another branch, you will end up separated. I see the reserves or guard as your only choices.

HW

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: how would i go about joining? are there any special requirments or do i just go to a recruiter?

ANSWER: Myles,

The first step would to go directly to a recruiter. They will tell you the steps necessary to get into the Guard or Reserve. Be honest, make sure that you  have your DD Form 214(your Discharge Papers) There is a RE code that they will need there. Make sure that you go into the office like you are going to join, have all your information like you had to have when you joined the first time.

HW

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok i was looking through my dd form 214 and i have a RE code of 4. what exactly does that mean?will this re code have any affect on me getting back in or not?

Answer
A RE code of 4 means that you are inelligible to re-enlist. But I would check with the services anyway because each can do different things Especially the guard & reserve. THe other thing they will look at will be the time that has elapsed from then to now and how you have improved your self, they will access the liklyhood of you getting back into the same trend that sort of thing. There are RE code waivers that can be done with different services, but the answers for that are on a case by case basis so go direct to the recrutier and get the answers you need....

HW