Posted on Apr 23, 2019
Could I re-enlist with an RE-3 code? How about as an officer?
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I have been out of the military since 2014. I served my full contract, however, I did get in trouble before I got out. I lost rank but still deployed to Afghanistan with my unit in 2012. I am finishing my Finance degree at a university and also in my senior year. My question is, could I rejoin as an officer if have a RE-3 on my DD-214? I have done some research and know I will require a waiver. One recruiter said it was near impossible, but that was the only recruiter that I have talked to so far. He said that it would be easy to go back in as enlisted, arrive at my unit, and then wait for X amount of time until I asked to drop an OCS packet. Moreover, I only talked to the Army recruiters about this. Would it be possible, or easier, to go through a different branch? I made a mistake, I paid for it, and really would like to go back in to try to help soldiers who were as lost as I was at the time I got in trouble. Maybe I could be an example and use my mistake as a positive to help guide and lead troops. Any answers, testimonies, or tips would be very much appreciated.
Re-enlistment
OCS
DD214
Recruiting
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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I get we all make mistakes. I've made a bunch, but career stoppers.
My question is why are wanting to come back in as an officer? What changed since you got out that made you want to go the officer route?
Here's why I ask. You served for three years, correct? How many safety briefings did you hear before weekends, passes, and leaves where you were informed of the dangers of drunk driving? How can OCS or the Army be sure you'll actually act accordingly as an officer and leader, when you couldn't as an enlisted man?
When you can answer those questions honestly and without reservation, the Army may grant you the waiver, but it will be a tough go getting it.
My question is why are wanting to come back in as an officer? What changed since you got out that made you want to go the officer route?
Here's why I ask. You served for three years, correct? How many safety briefings did you hear before weekends, passes, and leaves where you were informed of the dangers of drunk driving? How can OCS or the Army be sure you'll actually act accordingly as an officer and leader, when you couldn't as an enlisted man?
When you can answer those questions honestly and without reservation, the Army may grant you the waiver, but it will be a tough go getting it.
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PV2 John Ashford
My mistake was in front of my barracks. I was young and stupid. I am able to admit that I did something wrong. Since then I have had a clean slate. I am not denying that I acted irrationally and irresponsibly. Your question, "why are wanting to come back in as an officer? What changed since you got out that made you want to go the officer route?" 1) I learned from my mistake, I grew from it, and I am ready to use it for positivity. I am not in no way hurt by it, but if my mistake can help someone else avoid making the same mistake, then I would think that OCS or Army would benefit exponentially from it. 2) My mistake and misjudgment just made me want to lead more. Where I am today compared to where I was when I made that mistake is comparable to night and day.
I want to make an impact and help others. There is a good chance that I do not get back into the military, but my chances are even less if I do not try.
Thank you for your input!
I want to make an impact and help others. There is a good chance that I do not get back into the military, but my chances are even less if I do not try.
Thank you for your input!
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PV2 John Ashford
I got nothing to prove. It was a simple question. I got my answers, and I am satisfied with them. Why did I not use the websites Re: 3 codes? I literally joined to ask that question. I have never spent more than this night on this website because I did not see the need to until now. I was asking for genuine help. Is that not thinking ahead? You talking down to me means nothing because I do not know you and you have no impact on my life whatsoever. No hard feelings there. Do I want it? It has been in the back of my mind. Do I have other options, or as you like to say, "thought ahead." You bet. Why would I have gotten a finance degree? Is that not a backup plan? I did answer the questions in the above comment. It was asked, "What has changed, why do I want to re-enlist?" I stated my answer clearly. I grew from my mistake. I would like to help others.
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Even if you achieve the waiver to enlist in the Army, with a DUI you have almost no chance of getting commissioned.
If you're trying to come straight in on a commission, with an RE3 and a DUI, I'd say your likelihood of success is less than zero.
You might have a better chance trying to commission with a national guard or reserve unit through a state OCS program or something similar.
If you're trying to come straight in on a commission, with an RE3 and a DUI, I'd say your likelihood of success is less than zero.
You might have a better chance trying to commission with a national guard or reserve unit through a state OCS program or something similar.
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PV2 John Ashford
Right on, thank you for your input. If that is the case, I may count my blessings of getting out with an honorable and surviving college debt free and work with my finance degree upon graduation.
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PV2 John Ashford I was able to get back in (via the MO Air Guard - was actvie AF) with an RE-3 code and a disability of 10%. My fight only took me 18.5 years and 4 recruiters before I found one that wasn't afraid of the fight.
I would mirror SFC (Join to see) 's comment; you may have better luck going Guard/Reserve, as they can send folks to OCS if the person proves themselves & the unit thinks they would make a good officer for the unit.
I would mirror SFC (Join to see) 's comment; you may have better luck going Guard/Reserve, as they can send folks to OCS if the person proves themselves & the unit thinks they would make a good officer for the unit.
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I would agree with your statement. Get in then drop OCS. Aside from your re code, what is the SPD code (3 letters) and narrative.
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SSG (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable standard DUI enlistments is all grantees.... but for OCS.... I think it would be increasingly difficult.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SSG (Join to see) - I'm not denying it will be a factor, but I think we scare people away that are highly qualified and I'm not sure it's accurate. I know that if I sat on the board and a very well qualified candidate had a DUI under similar circumstances, I wouldn't consider it unless I had equally qualified candidates without one. They will have his service record for after the event, apparently no repeats during college, and a college transcript that can give a good idea of how he behaved as a student. The worse that can happen is he gets told no.
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SSG (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable when an individual goes before the USAREC board, the whole person concept is used. If the OP reason for discharge was BECAUSE of the dui, I would say no way..... if however he continued service, and got out at ETS.... I would consider it. At the time of the incident, hard truth be told, YOU KNEW what was right and wrong. It may have been the only hiccup in his career, and unfortunate so.... you are correct sir, should the OP peruse OCS, be ready when asked “If not selected, are you willing to go active only?” That answer best be... YES.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SSG (Join to see) - Yes, I understand that well, I had to board when I went through OCS.
I think that the Army has gone too far trying to pick this perfect enlisted soldier and officer. We all have screwed up, how you deal with the consequences of that screw up is just as important as the fact that you screwed up. As an example, I think it's absolutely asinine for the Army to make someone get a waiver for smoking pot. No, I don't partake, would not even if it becomes legal, nor do I think we should allow troops to use while they are in the service, but do I think we shouldn't ban that class of citizens from service because they chose risky behavior in school.
Getting down off my soap box now.
I think that the Army has gone too far trying to pick this perfect enlisted soldier and officer. We all have screwed up, how you deal with the consequences of that screw up is just as important as the fact that you screwed up. As an example, I think it's absolutely asinine for the Army to make someone get a waiver for smoking pot. No, I don't partake, would not even if it becomes legal, nor do I think we should allow troops to use while they are in the service, but do I think we shouldn't ban that class of citizens from service because they chose risky behavior in school.
Getting down off my soap box now.
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If the circumstance that caused the 3 no longer exist you might have a shot.. you just need to talk to someone that knows what they doing and how to push that paperwork though.
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PV2 John Ashford
Thank you. I plan on talking to a different recruiting station whenever I can find the time in the near future.
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SPC (Join to see)
Good luck bro hope it works out in your favor. Stop back by to and update us on the outcomes. Maybe we can help someone else by pushing the knowledge on.PV2 John Ashford
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You could be waived to enlist. I have no doubt you have matured and realize your mistake, but there are many people out there looking for a commission that didn't make the mistake, they'll get selected for the commissioning program before you.
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Also, you have to been enlisted before applying for OCS. You might check ROTC, but the RE-3 can bite you still.
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You would require 2 waivers, RE code waiver and a misconduct waiver for the DUI conviction. The misconduct waiver likely would disqualify you for an OCS enlistment. I only say "likely", because I haven't been in USAREC since 2013 and don't know the current operational policy on OCS. But I highly doubt that the officer strength in the Army is so critical that they are allowing RE3 prior service with a misconduct waiver to enlist for OCS. One thing to remember, no matter many how many recruiters you talk to, and varying degrees of slim hope you hear, it will all boil down to what the regulations and current operational policy allow.
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