Can someone reapply to be a Marine if they were discharged for not reporting mental counseling (per the recruiter's advice)?

SN Trevor Sanchez — Mon, 31 May 2021 17:36:53 -0400

I have a Grandson that joined the Marine Corp. When he joined he disclosed to the recruiter that he had had some court ordered mental counseling when he was younger due to an abusive Father. My Grandson never got in trouble, his Father did as he had also abused his daughter) The recruiter told him to NOT report it to anyone else, so my grandson didn't. While just two weeks away from graduating boot, he told his DI about the counseling. The DI then reported it to the higher ups. My Grandson was then discharged from the Corp for not reporting the counseling even though his discharge papers say "Due to no fault of his own, because he was just doing what the recruiter had told him". Can my Grandson reapply to be a Marine? He has never had any legal problems or behavior due to his Fathers abuse. He is 20 years old now and it has been two years since he was discharged. He Loves the Corps and still wants to be a part of it. Can a recruiter answer this question?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 31 at 2021 5:49 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 31 May 2021 17:49:59 -0400

Have to see what his RE code was./Ask a recruiter.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made May 31 at 2021 6:13 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Mon, 31 May 2021 18:13:30 -0400

Where exactly on his discharge papers ?? is that stated ?

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made May 31 at 2021 8:22 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Mon, 31 May 2021 20:22:22 -0400

I am not sure if this will work but he could try going to MEPS and submitting an AA Form to Headquarters Marine Corps and see if the retention department can help him. I think that waiver will have to come from CMC anyway you look at it. Best of luck to your grandson.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2021 9:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 May 2021 21:42:29 -0400

He can reapply but, without knowing the RE and SPD codes, I have to say his chances are relatively slim. Lying on your contract, regardless of who told him to, is fraud. Not a good way to start out.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 1 at 2021 6:04 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 06:04:27 -0400

Have you actually seen the words on the discharge document? The Military holds the individual accountable in all cases. In any case he can of course try to clear this up, it just does not sound wuite right.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 1 at 2021 9:14 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 09:14:28 -0400

The only way to know for sure is to contact a local recruiter and have the documentation on hand. They will need to know the RE code so they know how to proceed forward. There are waivers for almost anything but it won’t be an easy process because he was caught in a lie during the last time.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jun 4 at 2021 12:08 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:08:31 -0400

Was the recruiter charged?

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 16 at 2022 2:13 PM

SSgt Mathew Cummings — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 14:13:56 -0400

That would take a BUMED waiver. If he got an Honorable, than it will take a Marine Corps Recruiting Command waiver. He needs to go to a Marine Corps Recruiting office and ask for the contact info for a prior service Recruiter. This will take some time. I do not know all the details but this is a start in the right direction. While most think that a regular Recruiter would be hands on for this situation, because of the discharge conditions, he needs to talk with the prior service one.

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 17 at 2022 8:37 AM

SSgt Mathew Cummings — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 08:37:16 -0400

Believe it or not, I ran into a gentleman going through the same kind of thing right now, but it has been over 12 years. Was working with his congressman to get it resolved. Congressman lost reelection. Have you started the political angle with him to get his codes changed? Was there an investigation of recruiter misconduct? Appealing the board of records is one way and getting it changed by national politics is another way.