If I left the military without getting an official discharge document, how can I re-enlist?

2025-11-10T23:13:59-05:00

I was a reservist but I got out from it because of my family issue without finishing my contract so I dont have any documentation that can prove I'm discharged and dont know my status of discharge. The reason why I wrote this post because I want to rejoin the army, but the problem is I have no idea how to rejoin the service. When I talked to a recruiter, they told me I have to contact my former unit, but they seemed not willing to help me.Can anyone please give me any advice?

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 11 at 2025 7:27 AM

2025-11-11T07:27:02-05:00

Assuming this was at least a year ago, if you just left your unit and didn't finish your contract, then likely you were given an administrative separation* as an unsatisfactory participant (i.e., dropped from the rolls). Most likely, the separation would have a "General (Under Honorable Conditions)" characterization (note: this is a relatively recent change going back a few years, so it is possible that you could have received an "Under Other Than Honorable Conditions" discharge if it predated the new DoD guidance).

I'm greatly surprised that you weren't aware of the ramifications of just skipping drills because unless you had completely derelict leadership, they would have reached out to you many times (and are required to send you registered mail as well) letting you know what's going to happen.

First thing is to ask your recruiter to look up your information in USMIRS* as that will have your discharge information and if you have a reentry code that prevents your reenlistment. Either they already knew it and were shuttling you back to your old unit to "close the loop" with them or they just didn't want to deal with it.

If that doesn't work out because the recruiter is unwilling, look up your records yourself. If you have an established DS Logon account it will be easy and you can skip to logging into HRC. If not then do the following steps:

● Head to the DS Logon screen* and click on "Create new DS Logon Account" at the bottom and follow the prompts. Try the "Remote Identity Proofing" route first (read through the "DS Logon Support Documentation" first).
● After you have established your account, go to the "My Record" login at HRC* and login using your DS Logon credentials. Click on the "Reserve/Retiree/Veteran Record" in the upper left.
● After that, review the information and documents to determine your status or see if there are any anomalies.

If you can't access your records that way, then request your records from HRC* via fax/snail mail (note: this is the same process you'll eventually end up at if you go through the National Archives).
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* USMIRS - United States Military Entrance Processing Command Integrated Resource System
* DoDI 1332.14 (Enlisted Administrative Separations) - https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133214p.pdf
* DS Logon screen - https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/app/login
* My Record login at HRC - https://www.hrcapps.army.mil/portal/
* Requesting records from HRC - https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Accessing%20or%20Requesting%20Your%20Official%20Military%20Personnel%20File%20Documents

133214p.pdf

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2025 3:12 PM

2025-11-11T15:12:02-05:00

If you truly left the reserves you don't get a DD 214 but you do get paper work. The UA from your former unit should be able get help you.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2025 10:56 AM

2025-11-12T10:56:11-05:00

Are you implying that you just walked away and assumed there would be no consequences. All I can suggest is follow COL Randall C. advice.

Response by SPC Geoffrey Jenkins made Nov 21 at 2025 12:19 PM

2025-11-21T12:19:30-05:00

You're going to have a hard time rejoining the military the way you left, I'm very surprised why your unit won't go to bat for you unless you were unsat for not participating in drill weekends or you were a complete slacker.
You can write your congressman/congresswoman in your district and tell him or her your story, by getting them involved might help, that will get your former unit's attention about you wanting to get bank into the unit, if your unit can prove their case why they don't want you back you can forget it.

Response by Cpl James D. made Nov 22 at 2025 11:26 AM

2025-11-22T11:26:28-05:00

Yes, GFY

Response by SPC James Seigars made Nov 26 at 2025 7:36 PM

2025-11-26T19:36:40-05:00

Having served in the Reserves, Guard and Active & having had some issues leading to a break in service myself I can tell you that more than likely they gave you a Chapter 14 for Desertion after having over 9 missed unexcused drills in a 12 month period (I have a nephew who got the same thing for smoking & drinking on duty while filming it on a social media site. He has an RE3 (reenlistment code. There are four and the higher the number the harder to get back in) and still couldn’t get back in). If that is the case you can pretty much forget getting back in (I had a chapter 13 for unsatisfactory performance because my Captain didn’t think I would ever make a good soldier when I only ever had one article 15 which was because I paid someone to take my guard duty while I saw my girlfriend (unfortunately he didn’t show up after my paying him $200 in 1989 money and she was a Polish refugee who wasn’t supposed to be out of the housing unit aside from going to work who snuck out and snuck me in without my prior knowledge several times hence the conclusion I wouldn’t make a good soldier & chapter 13 discharge with RE3 code).

Fortunately in my case since it wasn’t anything that couldn’t be chalked down to youth and naïveté I was able to get back in after fighting for two years to get a second chance. I eventually got back in and stayed for 10 years, even making Sergeant in Iraq in 2003 after passing NCOPD as it was called (then losing it after going to get my daughter who had been left at the bar on New Year’s Eve in Germany with no way home. I didn’t realize DUI was 0.5 there and had a 0.54 after two drinks an hour prior. The only time I ever had a DUI and my second & last Article 15).

You on the other hand I’m not sure about since you may even have a warrant out for your arrest for missing all those drills if you Commander decided to go that route.

I would listen to the Col. and also check with your City police and Sheriff’s office to see if you do have a warrant out. Then I would find either a JAG lawyer or civilian attorney who knows Military law to see if they can help you if you have changed and actually do want to get back in & do better this time. If not then just let it go, use it as a lesson learned in life and move on. Best of Luck either way.