Expert: Rod Powers - 4/15/2007

Question
i enlisted in the RA in aug of 04 i was in for in 1 year and got into some trouble i came up hot on a random urinalysis received loss of rank 45 days extra duty and 45 days restriction to post (i was married and lived off post with my wife) i was told that i would not be able to take  the leave time that we where soon to receive in a few months prior to deployment to Iraq so i went AWOL back home for 45 days i came back on my own received no jail time and was not charged with desertion. i was  just told  that i was to be get chaptered out i received an re-4 with an general under honorable discharge. narrative reason on dd214 was illegal drug abuse and misconduct(Sept o6 )  is there any way of re entry?   thank you

Answer
Hi Rick,

With an RE Code of "4," the chances of re-enlisting is *highly* unlikely (in any of the branches).

Here's what the RE Codes mean:

RE-Code of 1: Individually is fully qualified for re-enlistment.

RE-Code of 2: Individual is not qualified for re-enlistment. However, a waiver may be possible (except for the Air Force) if the original reason for discharge is no longer applicable.

RE-Code of 3: Individual is not qualified for re-enlistment. However, (depending on the service characterization, and the reason for discharge), the member may be able to re-enlist (with a waiver), after a designated waiting period.

RE-Code of 4: Individual is not eligigible for re-enlistment. Waivers are generally only considered in those rare cases where it appears the RE Code of 4 was issued in error.

Your only realistic chance is to request a change to your military records (to change your RE Code), see: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcebase/a/chgrecords.htm or to request your discharge be considered for upgrade to an honorable (in which case, if approved, your RE code would automatically be considered for change), see article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/dischargeupg.htm

However, don't get your hopes up. From what you've related, your chances of getting your military records changed or upgraded are slim (according to the criteria required for such actions).

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com