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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/from navy to coast guard
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Question
my son just got a general discharge from the navy. can he join the coast guard?
Hi Flora,
It's possible, but depends on a couple of factors:
If his DD Form 214 (Record of Service) shows an RE Code (Reenlistment Eligibility Code) of "4," then he would not be eligible for reenlistment into the Coast Guard. However, if he has a general discharge, and an RE Code of "3," then reenlistment may be possible (with a waiver).
From the Coast Guard Recruiting Manual (COMDTINST M1100.2D), paragraph 2.E.1.b. Active Duty Limitations:
3. General Discharge. Applicants with general discharges require Coast Guard Recruiting Center approval before they can enlist.
a. A prior service prospect with an RE-3 (alpha character) code must prove their disqualifying factor has been resolved before being approved for enlistment. Documentation and/or statements concerning most disqualifying factors shall be forwarded to Coast Guard Recruiting Center for enlistment authorization. In cases where the disqualifying factor has been resolved (i.e., pregnancy or hardship), the Recruiter-in-Charge may request authorization from Coast Guard Recruiting Center via electronic mail. Coast Guard Recruiting Center may approve the request or require a complete waiver package.
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Answers by Expert:
Rod Powers
Expertise
Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience
Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
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