RE-4 Reenlistment Code...Read First.

Ripper said:
Greetings,

I have read the above content, and all I am looking for are realistic answers.

I was given an OTH for going AWOL, RE-4, etc, etc. I will spare you the specifics and get right on with what I need to know.

There are other errors, but these are the two biggies:

My charge sheet lists me as being absent without leave on a date that I was actually on an authorized leave. All other documents reflect this.

I was listed as being a deserter, and my information was given to the Deserter Information Point on a date before my duty status was changed from absent without leave to DFR/Deserter.

Isn't charging me with being absent without leave when I wasn't illegal?

Isn't listing me as a deserter before my status duty change illegal?

If not illegal, then at least, improper?


Any help with this would be appreciated. Thanks.
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And I will spare you my judgment, as well as sparing my account here a slap on the wrist for telling you what I really think.

TI is right: call JAG. Did you not notice these discrepancies when you had your Article 32 hearing? Why did your assigned representation not notice them? Are the dates just wrong on your 214 and you're completely innocent, or are you looking for a military mistake that will absolve you of your crime (and yes, it is a crime)?

If you decided to go AWOL, why not be a man and accept the consequences of your actions, regardless of whether or not the dates are correct?

See, my friend, and I do not mean this to in any way be condescending...

That's what a real man does: he learns from his mistakes. He accepts responsibility for his decisions, he learns a better way for next time, and he admits that he royally screwed up. He never looks to excuse his actions. He slaps himself upside the head long before anyone else needs to do it for him.

You cannot regain all of your integrity and honor. That's a fact of what you did. But you CAN regain most of it by showing the world that you take responsibility, you learned and grew from from your bad decisions, and you'll use yourself to help others not make the same mistakes.

As an Infantry soldier that did my duty, I am pizzed at what you did. However, I am also a flawed human being, just like you, imperfect and with my own flaws and bad decisions and skeletons in the closet. Because of that, I cannot judge you. I WILL not judge you. But I will admonish you to make yourself better by allowing unbridled truth and honesty to be your moniker from this day forward.

And I will further wish you all the best.
 
I never had an Article 32 hearing. I actually never went AWOL, but as I said earlier, I would only ask the pertinent questions. My DD-214 is fine. However, the charge sheet filled out by the Commander specifies that I was absent without leave when I wasn't. In addition, he shipped off my DFR packet and a warrant was issued for my arrest, while I was still in AWOL status, though I wasn't AWOL. It's a very frustrating situation, and I knew absolutely nothing at the time. I had to do all of my research afterward and i've just now gotten hold of these records.

I've talked to a JAG, being i'm not enlisted, he didn't listen. The main focus here is not about reenlistment. It is about my DD 214 showing correctly what happened.

However, being that the consensus seems to be to contact JAG, this would indicate that there may indeed be an impropriety of some sort with this issue to add to the list.

Thanks.
 
AZ_Infantry said:
RE-4: Dishonorable Discharge. We call it a Big Chicken Dinner (Bad Conduct Discharge).

When you separate from the military, you are issued a DD Form 214 that contains pertinent facts about your active duty military service, such as your awards, MOS, and discharge type. An RE-1 means that you completed your obligation as expected, called an Honorable Discharge.

Then there are "Other Than Honorable" Discharge types, and these have a letter code assigned to the RE code that tells background investigators exactly why you were discharged.

For instance, an other than honorable RE-2BLC discharge means that the military kicked you out for homosexuality. RE-2CBL indicates unsuitability for military service without a specified reason (usually lying to get in). The K's are usually drugs - the military tests you for drugs monthly. Even a puff of pot and you can face an OTH discharge.

The Big Chicken Dinner is reserved for the most egregious offenses of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), usually indicating criminal behavior: AWOL, drug abuse, stealing, acting in a manner that completely dishonors the military, and etc.

If you think of it in civilian terms, an OTH is typified by a misdemeanor, whereas a BCD is a felony (simple analogy).

Most employers will not touch you with an RE-4. It is MUCH worse than an Article 15 or 32. It means that the military criminally prosecuted you, found you guilty without doubt, and booted your butt out. You're irresponsible and embarrass the United States. You cannot be trusted.
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I can tell you you are wrong on this. I just got a copy of my DD214 cause I was thinking about going back in now that i've finished college.

I have an RE-4 and a General (Under Honorable Conditions) Discharge. This is the exact wording on my 214.

I had minor disciplinary infractions. To be specific I had an LOR for bouncing a check and not paying it off fast enough to suit my commander. I got an LOR for supposedly telling a SSGT when I was an A1C that he could leave work early?? And a suspended article 15 for the cumulation of those 2 and I think one more LOR. I had no one on my side telling me to fight back so I just took what they gave me. I'm not making excuses, I screwed up.

As to it being like a felony you are so far off it's not even funny. It didn't stop me getting financial aid for school or any one of the many job offers I got right after that. An RE-4 is not the end of the world in the civilian world at all. Now I'm taking it I don't have a shot of getting back in the service but to equate it to a Bad Conduct and a Felony is stupidly wrong.
 
dabutracing007 said:
I can tell you you are wrong on this. I just got a copy of my DD214 cause I was thinking about going back in now that i've finished college.

I have an RE-4 and a General (Under Honorable Conditions) Discharge. This is the exact wording on my 214.

I had minor disciplinary infractions. To be specific I had an LOR for bouncing a check and not paying it off fast enough to suit my commander. I got an LOR for supposedly telling a SSGT when I was an A1C that he could leave work early?? And a suspended article 15 for the cumulation of those 2 and I think one more LOR. I had no one on my side telling me to fight back so I just took what they gave me. I'm not making excuses, I screwed up.

As to it being like a felony you are so far off it's not even funny. It didn't stop me getting financial aid for school or any one of the many job offers I got right after that. An RE-4 is not the end of the world in the civilian world at all. Now I'm taking it I don't have a shot of getting back in the service but to equate it to a Bad Conduct and a Felony is stupidly wrong.
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Generally, a BCD and a Dishonorable are the same thing. In your case, you have the BCD but under honorable conditions. This is only one of the many dozens of exceptions. There is no possible way that anyone here could cover every discharge type.

The (admittedly) sweeping generalization of the RE-4 classification in this thread is nothing more than just that: a generalization. There is simply no way that anyone here could contend with the literally hundreds of variations.

An RE-4 code, like a civilian felony, has many different types - from lesser counts such as destruction of property to more serious inferences, like murder. In all, however, a felony is a felony is a felony. No charge or conviction defines a man, and no one here is saying that they do or should.

But to claim that my assessment is "stupidly wrong" only touts your own ignorance.

In the military, a BCD is an Article 32 hearing. That is a military felony.

I'm sorry if you don't agree with my assessment.
 
Wow.

That's all I can pretty much say after reading your guys' take on the RE4 code. To anyone that has gotten out and looking at getting back in, please do not take anyone of these people's word as the almighty's. FYI, an RE4 is not the same as a felony, anti-christdom, or anyother negativity that you guys wanna put on it. An RE4 is exactly that, a number. The more important set of alphanumeric characters that goes with the RE code is the separation designator. The three character string after your RE code that tells anyone that wants to know, why you were removed from the service. Also, to the person who said you can't get a civilian job with an RE4....your just plain crazy. Let me lay it down like this. I received an RE4 after 7.5 years AD USAF. My family and I were living above our means and when we realized it, we were too late. So instead of letting it impact my career or my unit, I asked the USAF to separate me upon finding civilian employement. I was given an RE4A - KDB (to be exact) and guess what, I got a job with a little known company you might have heard of...SAIC? Now, over a year removed from me getting out, I've been accepted into the USAFR. So anyone out there looking at getting back in with an RE4, while it's a guarentee you won't get back in Active, there are other routes..... Just my two cents.
 
BS

Yes it is true if you have an RE-Code 4 - your military dreams are over. However, these fear mongers are blowing it out of proportion, the truth is other than law enforcement, nobody gives a **** on the outside world about your military records. I received an RE-4, went to the University of Pittsburgh, received full financial aid, graduated and now live a wonderful life. Not once have I ever, ever been asked about my Military background, and I have had my background ran by the FBI several times for work. So to anyone with a RE-4, yes you ****ed up, as I did and we regret it - however your life can go on and you can achieve anything. Keep your head up
 
johnnythunders said:
Yes it is true if you have an RE-Code 4 - your military dreams are over. However, these fear mongers are blowing it out of proportion, the truth is other than law enforcement, nobody gives a **** on the outside world about your military records. I received an RE-4, went to the University of Pittsburgh, received full financial aid, graduated and now live a wonderful life. Not once have I ever, ever been asked about my Military background, and I have had my background ran by the FBI several times for work. So to anyone with a RE-4, yes you ****ed up, as I did and we regret it - however your life can go on and you can achieve anything. Keep your head up
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hooah... thanks for that info... you are right.. your military career is done, but trust me, there is life after the military.
 
In this case you must vist your local VA or Veterans Affairs office and bring all of your documents and explain to them what happened. They will give you a DD Form 149 (application for correction of military record under the provisions of title 10, U.S. code, section 1552) or google a military lawyer, but i would try the first option first.
 
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I never had an Article 32 hearing. I actually never went AWOL, but as I said earlier, I would only ask the pertinent questions. My DD-214 is fine. However, the charge sheet filled out by the Commander specifies that I was absent without leave when I wasn't. In addition, he shipped off my DFR packet and a warrant was issued for my arrest, while I was still in AWOL status, though I wasn't AWOL. It's a very frustrating situation, and I knew absolutely nothing at the time. I had to do all of my research afterward and i've just now gotten hold of these records.

I've talked to a JAG, being i'm not enlisted, he didn't listen. The main focus here is not about reenlistment. It is about my DD 214 showing correctly what happened.

However, being that the consensus seems to be to contact JAG, this would indicate that there may indeed be an impropriety of some sort with this issue to add to the list.

Thanks.





In this case you must vist your local VA or Veterans Affairs office and bring all of your documents and explain to them what happened. They will give you a DD Form 149 (application for correction of military record under the provisions of title 10, U.S. code, section 1552) or google a military lawyer, but i would try the first option first.
 
"You cannot be trusted." ?

:sniper:
AZ_Infantry said:
RE-4: Dishonorable Discharge. We call it a Big Chicken Dinner (Bad Conduct Discharge).

When you separate from the military, you are issued a DD Form 214 that contains pertinent facts about your active duty military service, such as your awards, MOS, and discharge type. An RE-1 means that you completed your obligation as expected, called an Honorable Discharge.

Then there are "Other Than Honorable" Discharge types, and these have a letter code assigned to the RE code that tells background investigators exactly why you were discharged.

For instance, an other than honorable RE-2BLC discharge means that the military kicked you out for homosexuality. RE-2CBL indicates unsuitability for military service without a specified reason (usually lying to get in). The K's are usually drugs - the military tests you for drugs monthly. Even a puff of pot and you can face an OTH discharge.

The Big Chicken Dinner is reserved for the most egregious offenses of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), usually indicating criminal behavior: AWOL, drug abuse, stealing, acting in a manner that completely dishonors the military, and etc.

If you think of it in civilian terms, an OTH is typified by a misdemeanor, whereas a BCD is a felony (simple analogy).

Most employers will not touch you with an RE-4. It is MUCH worse than an Article 15 or 32. It means that the military criminally prosecuted you, found you guilty without doubt, and booted your butt out. You're irresponsible and embarrass the United States. You cannot be trusted.
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Can't be trusted?, B/S, I got an RE-4 because I wouldn't snitch on a fellow jarhead. And as far as the Big Chicken Dinner, I have an Honorable Discharge. Have had no problems with recieving student loans or any financial aid for schooling through the years. Even had a recruiter that wanted to help me get back in the Corps. I'm still laughing about that 20 years later.
Just because someone gets an re-4 doesn't mean they are crap, it's sometimes means they wouldn't play the kiddie games. I grew up on military bases, old man was a lifer, drill seargent for 7 years. I knew exactly what I was getting into. But I wouldn't snitch out on a fellow jarhead and I didn't really like him all that much, but in my eyes you have to be able to trust those around you and my word is bond!!!
 
"In the military, a BCD is an Article 32 hearing. That is a military felony. "

If by BCD, you mean Bad conduct Discharge, then you are mistaken. An Article 32 hearing is the equivalent of a Grand Jury under UCMJ. It does not determine guilt and it is certainly not a felony.

Finding of sufficient evidence in a Article 32 hearing leads to one of three types of Court Martial.

Only if found guilty in a general or a special court martial, can you then receive a Bad Conduct Discharge.

For a Dishonorable Discharge it has to be a general court martial.

And even if convicted by a court martial, it is not necessarily the equivalent of a felony. You can face a court martial for any offense trivial to serious, it's the right of a soldier to demand one.
 
re-4

I have a question. Back in June 1997, I was placed on NPQ status from the Naval Reserves due to chronic knee pain in my right knee and was supposed to be reevaluated in December of that year but was honorably discharged in October with an RE-4. I have submitted my paperwork to BCNR along with my page-13 to get it changed to an RE-3 or RE-3P which I think it should have been under regulations. What do any of you think my chances are of getting back in? This week I will also be sending BCNR a letter from my doctor stating that I no longer have the pain which was due to wearing shoes without any support. My unit had wanted me to see a specialist (specifically an orthopedic surgeon) once a month at my own expense and since I wasn't working regularly, I didn't have health insurance and didn't have the $300.00 per office visit that it would have required. I told my unit about this at the time. Again, what are my chances?
 
michael0271 said:
I have a question. Back in June 1997, I was placed on NPQ status from the Naval Reserves due to chronic knee pain in my right knee and was supposed to be reevaluated in December of that year but was honorably discharged in October with an RE-4. I have submitted my paperwork to BCNR along with my page-13 to get it changed to an RE-3 or RE-3P which I think it should have been under regulations. What do any of you think my chances are of getting back in? This week I will also be sending BCNR a letter from my doctor stating that I no longer have the pain which was due to wearing shoes without any support. My unit had wanted me to see a specialist (specifically an orthopedic surgeon) once a month at my own expense and since I wasn't working regularly, I didn't have health insurance and didn't have the $300.00 per office visit that it would have required. I told my unit about this at the time. Again, what are my chances?
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Extremely slim. All branches reached 105% projected enlistment quotas (filled all the slots they wanted to), and with the drawbacks the military simply doesn't need the people it did just last year. Waivers are out of the question in most instances, and an RE-3 requires a waiver for reenlistment.

Sorry, bro. But, hey! Talk to the recruiters! You never know when one is just looking to sign someone like you, and all they can say is no, right?
 
I will speak about this once, and once only.

I was discharged with an OTH/RE-4. Only under certain litigating circumstances surrounding the Discharge will you ever have a chance, hope for a WW before you're let back in.

That said, I will not refute my guilt. I gambled in boot camp, I fought another sailor in Gun School, I lied at Captains Mast about it, I went U/A, smoked marijuana and returned to tell the Master-At-Arms that I wanted a drug test so I could sabotage my career, because I had to have it my way or no way . In retrospect my reasons were trivial and I was too misguided and impatient (product of multiple foster homes and no parents). I ended all of my dreams to lead an awesome life.

But I wll tell you this, you people who bash men like me for my crime as a 19 yr. old are not Special Operation Operatives, you are also like the wannabees. I would have to guess you are probably unfit for some other reason though. Furthermore, some of the acts we were discharged for run rampant in the Armed Services today, and are far worse, and not to mention they were committed by people let in under waivers for the same civilian offenses. Most stateside bases are as loaded with drugs (like Ft. Bragg for instance) than any ghetto in the U.S., Domestic Violence, various counts of violence, multiple DUIs, Disorderly conduct, U/A, Rape, Murder all have been committed by men and women in uniform. As a friend of a special operations member there are accounts of drug use also by these type of men, some will agree, some will empathize and some will criticize, but they're still good men.

Even further, furthermore. If you believe that in the years since my discharge that I haven't regretted every action taken by me and wish I was in uniform right now or daydreaming at my lousy dead-end job about finishing my "A" school and fulfilling my S.E.A.L ambitions and doing what I feel now and then, really was my calling.

For all of you in uniform that will read this, especially for the ones that have seen war, pay attention. You yourself have seen some men you know would not make it and violate the warrior code, who really don't know why they joined, who have not made peace with the idea of dying for our freedom, who thought is was all about the uniform, who can't separate themselves from their pictures, who question war, who are cowards.

I am not them......never was........never will be.

I will pay not with my life, but my foolish pride.

For everyone who serves, Elite or not, Thank You for your sacrifice...I'm sorry I couldn't be there.

P.s. Whewshh! Man I haven't let that story slip in 13 yrs.
 
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RE-4...Statement

And since everyone asks about an Re-4, let me put it like this. Everyone
has their conspiracy theories and their own reasons and thoughts about it granted, but let me clue you in if you don't already know.

Recruiters have jobs governed by the word "Quota". Quotas are devised by adding the deficit of personnel each prior year. The mentally unfit, the physically unfit, the retirees, the dead, the E.O.Es, prospective expansion of military facilities and so on. Reenlisted personnel are given bonus which is money and it has to come from somewhere, most likely the D.O.D. budget, therefore they will not reenlist prior poor candidates such as the Re-4 code character. I understand you totally guys, I am a prior service Re-4 code "Shitbag" also. Sometimes you have to lose everything in order to appreciate everything though, some of these guys who criticize you will learn that in the long run, because it will happen, just not in their military career, It maybe the woman they love, a daughters rape and murder, a business partner embezzling money and sticking them with the I.R.S. tab, cancer and so on, but something will happen that will put there own misjudgements, misdeeds or just plain bad luck of the draw front and center.
It's only a matter of time before another domestic or foreign attack will force Uncle Sams hand deep in the shitbag and pull out some brilliant, honor hungry soldiers. Until that day don't hold your breath, instead, go to College and turn the negative into a positive....
 
AZ_ Infantry you have no idea what you are talking about

You obviously do not know anything about the military legal system or discharges. What is a BCD under honorable conditions? There is no such thing a BCD and A dishonorable are not the same at all. A BCD is basically the same as a misdemeanor because they are basically given during special court martial. A Dishonorable is given only during a General court martial and is the same as a felony.I received a BCD 6 years ago. I am not proud of it but has any employer ever found out?No because it does not come up on background checks.I have had DOJ and FBI background checks it has never come up.I have worked for a government contractor. I hate when people go around saying A BCD is a felony and is the end of your life it is not true.
 
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