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So I was in the Air Force in 2009, for about a year. I was honorably discharged due to tech school problems (mom had hospital troubles and I wasn't able to focus, causing me to fail out of training).
Everything is fine now with the personal problems that happened at the time.
Like I said, this was about 4-5 years ago. I am strongly considering going back into the Military, but either going Army or Navy active duty.
But the question is.. can I?
Like I said, I have an honorable discharge and it was due to training failure due to personal problems at the time. I am currently in school and don't really know what I want to do, but I do know I would like to join up again.
Anybody know if it would be difficult for me to join active duty Army or Navy?
I am 24 years old.
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jordan
You need to know your RE Code - Military Reenlistment Codes (RE Codes), which are alpha numeric characters, found on the DD Form 214. On the bottom section of the DD214, blocks 24, 26, and 27 provides the characterization of service, separation, and reenlistment code. Since they are no longer public, some public charts are inaccurate. You really need to talk to a recruiter who should be able to answer your question accurately...
You need to know your RE Code - Military Reenlistment Codes (RE Codes), which are alpha numeric characters, found on the DD Form 214. On the bottom section of the DD214, blocks 24, 26, and 27 provides the characterization of service, separation, and reenlistment code. Since they are no longer public, some public charts are inaccurate. You really need to talk to a recruiter who should be able to answer your question accurately...
I just looked at my 214, I have reentry code 2C, which on the page you posted, says:
Individuals who were fully qualified when last separated. However, reenlistment not authorized at time of separation under reenlistment control policy. Civilian: fully qualified for enlistment.
The Navy won't touch you with a RE-2C these days. It was hard in the past and will be impossible in today's environment as they just are not working waivers, especially prior service and RE waivers. The Navy Reserves MIGHT be an option but you'd have to talk to a current Recruiter to see if they would work a waver.
You were discharged from the Air Force so you need to look at the RE codes for the Air Force. You posted an Army RE code definition. All services have their own RE code meanings (USN and USMC are the same).
What does it say in the narrative reason for separation block (block 28) of your DD214?
You definitely need to speak with a recruiter to see what RE codes they can process. I spent a little over two years as an Ops Officer in a recruiting battalion and here's my memory of MOS choices for PS applicants--- needs of the Army. The Army's position was, and probably still is' "You had your choice of job before and you left. If you want to come back in, you'll do what we need you to do." So more than often that means the only job(s) offered are in shortage MOS'. Things like infantry, mechanic, and petroleum specialist (refueler) were typically the shortage MOS'. Obviously, things can change.
I had "split-service" but it was difficult. I got out after 4 years with an honorable discharge but, had an interesting 1970s era enlistment. The recruiters had nothing to do with me because of my disciplinary behaviors. I wrote my Senator a letter, he called back, and I was accepted 2 days later. The military is run by politicians, you know.
I knew many people who got out of Active Duty Navy for a variety of reasons and the other recruiters wouldn't touch them. They then went to the reserves, affiliated, and put in a package for FTS (full time support) and came back to active. Obviously, there are exceptions and it's hard to gauge what will happen with you.
Last edited by Pyramidsurf; 02-21-2014 at 08:57 AM..
I served 6 years and I got out. I was out for 4 years, and then I went back in.
During my career, I have known men who had served in two different branches, and other men who had served in three different branches.
Times change, policies change, ...
You do not know until you ask, and even than, if you asked 6 months later you might get a different response.
How one recruitment district handles an issue, might be different from how another recruitment district handles the same issue.
I have a friend here, who served in the US Navy as a reservist and as Active Duty. He made many hops back-forth between Reserve and Active. When he could not make advancement in one, he was able to advance in the other.
Hate to say it man but getting back into any branch with a 2C is a pipe dream. I have the same RE code with separation code JHJ (PJ drop out) which keeps you from even joining the army national guard. I even got as far as getting cleared by MEPS again only to find out that the army had a change in policy two weeks prior barring reenlistment to anyone with performance characterized discharges. I was persistent with other branch recruiters but in the end they all told me there was nothing they could do. I even went as far as trying to have my separation code changed by the board of military corrections with endorsements from two congressman to only be denied.
The problem with that is you have to prove they made a mistake in your dd-214. My argument was that the definition of an honorable discharge is " When the quality of the member's service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and PERFORMANCE of duty for military personnel, or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate." Its a direct contradiction to my separation code but hell I'm over it now. Good luck man, I hope you find a way in and if you do post about it because I guarantee you you are not the only one with this question.
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