After being released on a Chapter 18, how long do I have to wait before I can rejoin?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 22:28:33 -0500

Hi so I'm getting honorably discharge from the army due to weight an tape. An I didnt want to go out like this. So I was planning on getting back in. Is there a certain amount of time i must wait? Or is there somewhere i can look to find out?

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Feb 27 at 2020 10:50 PM

LTC Wayne Brandon — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 22:50:56 -0500

CPL Garduno -
If you are still on active duty, you can seek guidance from either a career counselor or a JAG Officer.
I'm sure they would ask you why you couldn't have controlled your weight while you were in a unit and what makes you think you can keep it off once you get it off should you be allowed to return?
These are questions you can reasonably be expected to have asked of you so be prepared to answer them. But the rules are the rules and irrespective of the current circumstances or future expectations, they owe you an accurate answer.
I hope this helps and wish you the best no matter how this plays out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2020 10:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 22:53:43 -0500

Typically 6 months.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 8:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 08:25:30 -0500

Would have been easier to just be in compliance while you were still in. What makes you think it will be any different once your out and trying to get back in? Im just confused as to why you think this route is easier than just meeting the standards now. Good Luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 9:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 09:21:02 -0500

You think it will be easier to meet height and weight standards once you get older? Once you've been a civilian for years, no one pushing you to do PT, working full time and no free gym membership? You have all the keys to success laid out before you right now. You get paid to do PT, free gyms, free dietician, free fitness professionals on your post or even unit. You just have to do the work. It doesn't get easier when you leave the Army. I got out of the Army and I sure didn't keep up on my PT and I was 21 and healthy.

The Army is going to make you wait a few years and then they're going to require a waiver. That's how long you have to wait - until someone in Recruiting command believes you've dropped enough fat that you won't get kicked out a second time. Until someone you've never met and never will meet is convinced that you won't be a liability and waste of time and money for the Army and a headache for your next command.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 28 at 2020 1:26 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 13:26:05 -0500

Are you at the point that they have applied for discharge papers or are you at the point that they have informed you that they have initiated Chapter 18? If they have just initiated the Chapter, I will point out that the Commander has a lot of leeway on these matters and I would ask for an open door with the Commander and see if I could convince him that I was worth salvaging. That also means getting serious getting the weight off and keeping it off. If you are a multiple weight failure and have already completed the program once and failed within a certain time frame, your chances are slim. Getting back in after being a Chapter discharge requires a waiver and if and how fast depends on the needs of the service at the time.

Response by SSG Miguel Nunez made Mar 1 at 2020 9:45 PM

SSG Miguel Nunez — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 21:45:53 -0500

6 mouths to a year that's if you have a RE code of 1 if they gave you a RE4 then you have to get that changed to to a RE1 first but even then you can only get back in only if they are take back prior service so there's that