How should I go about presenting myself in a letter to the VA Board in hopes of getting my RE Code changed?

2021-09-17T01:12:04-04:00

I've recently discovered through va.gov that i can request an re code change. I've begun the paper work to do so but have some questions. One of the necessary 'documents' is a letter to the board; essentially an essay of why i should receive an upgraded RE code on my dd214 (this would allow me to skip the waiver process for enlisting once again). I'm asking for senior enlisted and officers to give me advice for how to go about writing this letter. What are some things i should avoid saying to the board, but also good things to highlight?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 1:47 AM

2021-09-17T01:47:21-04:00

First, you'll need to know it's not the VA that does that. You would need a better reason than you believe you won't need a waiver. It will probably be faster to get the waiver.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 17 at 2021 1:58 AM

2021-09-17T01:58:07-04:00

Most often these kinds of changes have to show why it was wrong in the beginning to change the code. Dont get confused with this process and the waiver process. Changing something old you show how it was wrong where as with a waiver, you need to show how you have changed or improved. SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Sep 17 at 2021 2:37 AM

2021-09-17T02:37:25-04:00

An upgrade from the VA board would be for VA benefits (GI Bill, VA Loan, Etc) and would not have a direct effect on your getting a waiver to enlist again. In order to do that, you would need to go to either the Army Discharge Review Board or Board of Corrections. They would be the only ones who can upgrade your Characterization or RE code.

These boards correct based on error or injustice (clemency if you have a dishonorable) so you have to prove 1 of 3 things:

1. That the reason you were discharged were erroneous
2. That you faced some sort of injustice that led to your discharge
3. That a policy/regulation has changed since your discharge, that would have resulted in you having a different outcome

They also start from the presumption of regularity which means that they will assume everything was done right unless you have solid evidence to prove otherwise. That is to say what you're writing isn't an essay but an argument as to why your discharge is incorrect. The good thing is that the Army has the highest approval rate of upgrades (and it looks like they're being extremely forgiving as of last year), there's no consequence for applying and you get up to 3 tries. The downside is the stats are still pretty low, an upgrade may not necessarily change whether you would need a waiver, and can take years.

You'd need to collect all your med docs from the Army, and find out what the regulation is regarding your discharge and find out where you can show something went wrong.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 17 at 2021 3:48 AM

2021-09-17T03:48:00-04:00

PFC Kayla Dasse Ms. Dasse: Thank You for your Great post.
(I reenlisted as a Sports Director for Dependent Youths; in the Army.)

Response by COL John McClellan made Sep 17 at 2021 7:10 AM

2021-09-17T07:10:23-04:00

Straight to the point, concise and professional. Read the regulation (cited below) and directly address the criteria --
1. That the reason you were discharged were erroneous
2. That you faced some sort of injustice that led to your discharge
3. That a policy/regulation has changed since your discharge, that would have resulted in you having a different outcome
Stick to the facts!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 17 at 2021 8:26 AM

2021-09-17T08:26:41-04:00

In line with what COL John McClellan said, be straightforward and truthful.

I always loved the Army memo format:

Paragraph 1: This is the situation
Paragraph 2: This is the problem with the situation
Paragraph 3: This is my recommended fix for the situation
Paragraph 4: This is who is responsible and how to contact them

Signature.

(Sometimes Paragraphs may take more than one paragraph or may be combined).

It makes everything streamlined, lets people know what is going on, and what needs to happen. For you, it would look something like:

1. I am currently looking at re-entering service. I was discharged with RE Code X which prevents this (or make this process more difficult, etc.)
2. I believe that RE Code X was applied to me erroneously for the following reasons. A. B. C. I believe the appropriate RE Code should have been Y.
3. I respectfully request (this board / this panel . you / the members / etc.) re-consider my RE code, and ammend my record to reflect RE Code Y.
4. POC for this action is the undersigned at (phone) (e-mail).

When typing it, provide as much RELEVANT detail as possible, but MAKE SURE IT IS RELEVANT. If you 1SG "had it out for you," it doesn't matter unless you can show how that had a DIRECT impact on your RE Code. Even if you feel like he "influenced" things, it doesn't matter. Same for things like injuries, unless your RE code is a reflection of injuries.

A good memo is almost always in the 1-2 page range. If it isn't filling a full page, there probably isn't enough detail. If it spills onto a 3rd page, there is probably too much. There are exceptions, but they are rare.

Also, it is OK to use attachments, especially for things like medical records, counseling statements, legal documents, and the like. Don't re-type that info, just say see attached document (and list it at the bottom as an attachment).

Just my advice. I like the format because it conveys a lot of information in a concise, direct, non-aggressive manner. But do it how you want.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 17 at 2021 10:04 AM

2021-09-17T10:04:50-04:00

I recommend getting a VSO or some other veteran advocate to assist you. They do this type of thing on a weekly basis and would be the better source of information.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 11:17 AM

2021-09-17T11:17:21-04:00

I got a RE code waiver after about a year and a half of work, which is most likely shorter than it would take a discharge review board to process a change to your DD-214. That is a very long process, and is not likely to be approved unless there was an error in your discharge.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 17 at 2021 11:47 PM

2021-09-17T23:47:03-04:00

The process to change an RE code is not there so that it can address mischaracterized discharges. Not to change and RE code that was correct at the time, that has been addressed over time, and the problem that existed, is now corrected. You have to show why and how there was not a behavioral issue, which is what you got put out for, if I recall correctly. NOT that that behavioral issue has since been addressed and corrected.

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Sep 18 at 2021 12:50 AM

2021-09-18T00:50:38-04:00

Tell the truth. State the facts. Include evidence.