Expert: Rod Powers - 6/3/2007

Question
QUESTION: Is it possible for someone to be discharge from the Navy for having dyslexia or a reading disability?

ANSWER: Hi Judy,

As you said "discharged," I'm assuming this person is already in the Navy?

If so, one could be discharged under two reasons:

First, if the condition was known by the individual at the time of enlistment, and he/she failed to disclose it during the enlistment process, the individual could be discharged under the provisions of "fraudulent enlistment." (See: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/falsestatements.htm).

If fradulent enlistment isn't a factor, then it would depend on whether or not the Military Medical Treatment Facility feels that the condition would interfere with the proper performance of Military duties. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/medseparation.htm.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com

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

QUESTION: My son told his recruiter that he had a reading disability. His recruiter told him not to worry about it. He then again mentioned it at the MEPS center- they too said that if he mentioned it to his recruiter; it would not be a problem.
The situation now is that he was having difficulty in "A" school and they sent him for testing. A  learning disability was detected and the on base doctor is recomending a discharge. She mentioned that it would be an RE-4. This is not good from my research. My son does not want to be discharged. Even more importantly, he does not want something like this to follow him around. He has mentioned that if he is discharged he would like to try another branch of the service.
My son is a college graduate and scored well on the miltary entrance test.
Any information that you can offer is very appreciated.
Thank you
ANSWER: Hi Judy,

The medical doctor doesn't recommend the RE Code, and -- in all actuality, probably doesn't even understand how RE Codes work, and how they are applied.

Your son's commanding officer decides what RE Code will be entered on the DD Form 214 (Record of Discharge)....No one else. The commanding officer is also the one who decides whether or not a discharge is appropriate.

So, the person your son needs to be speaking to (is not the doctor), but rather his commanding officer, through is trainers, his training supervisor, his Leading Petty Officer (LPO), and his Command Chief.

One thing to keep in mind (because the commander is certainly going to keep it in mind when he/she makes his/her decision), is that if he can't make it through "A" school, how is he going to make it through the job training school of any of the other branches? There had to have been something very significant in order for them to invest the time and money to refer him for additional testing. If that testing showed a learning disability, the chances of him being able to make it through any Military training program is small, so the commanding officer has an obligation to make sure the other branches don't waste training funds, and therefore may very well decide to impose an RE Code of "4."

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com

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

QUESTION: I have to say that you are being very helpful and I am very appreciative. The reason that they sent my son for testing is that he was dropped from his IC  "A" school for being labeled  Unmotivated. This bothered him and he told his instructors that he was not un motivated that it sometime took him longer to read things.In fact in he had to re tack a test he would past the test with a 90% to 100% the second time. He is wishing now that he just accepted what they said and not brought it up.
Any suggestions? All he wanted to do was not have his command think that he was not worth the effort. He was still in college mode not military  

Answer
As I said, it's primarily up to his commanding officer whether or not he will be discharge, and -- is so, what the RE Code will be.

So, the only viable suggestion is for him to speak with his commanding officer.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com