Is it possible to go from Army to Navy with a Re-Enlistment Code of RE-3?

2017-05-29T12:58:54-04:00

Long story short, my father died only two weeks before heading into BCT which hugely effected my morale. I didn't have the support from home that I was looking for and my letters that I received were not all rainbows and unicorns. I really want to go into the Navy as Active Duty. I am from NYC in the Financial District if someone can point me to a passionate recruiter or answer is it possible.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2017 1:08 PM

2017-05-29T13:08:26-04:00

PFC Christopher G. you already know your first step. Find a recruiter. Depending on the background of the code, the waiver process may be easy, or long. I have been fighting for 17 years. Get all your discharge documentation together. The recruiter will need this for the waiver process. Be prepared to go to MEPs and possibly get denied pending waiver (its procedure).
The most important role is finding a good recruiter, though, that will fight to get you back in!

Response by PO1 Jamie Springman made May 29 at 2017 1:09 PM

2017-05-29T13:09:45-04:00

With an RE-3 code it is possible to reenlist in the Navy but you are going to need a waiver. It also depends on the other two codes that you were given, block 24 and block 26 on your dd214, if you are going to be able to reenlist.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 29 at 2017 1:11 PM

2017-05-29T13:11:58-04:00

RE 3 is TECHNICALLY a waiverable code.
If the separation code (reason for separation) is waiverable.
I think I can count one part of one hand the number or RE-3 coded SM that were allowed to re enlist I know of.
But as its possible, go see a recruiter and see what they have to say.
You can also petition to have the code changed, but you need to show it was an error..IE it should not have been an RE-3.. Its not like a pardon..where the wrong is known and admitted, but waived anyway.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2017 3:04 PM

2017-05-29T15:04:18-04:00

I am going to be honest. The Army and the military in whole rarely takes prior service. The only time they do that is when you offer something they need. If you were an MOS that is in demand then you might have a chance. The military is an organization that will run with us or without us. Once you leave they won't forget. So the issue is really that they military is somewhat emotionless. We all have had issues but we have to deal with them. The best way to explain this is if you were in charge at a company and had to hire people. If someone looked as your packet and see that you had issues that resulted in you failure to complete training. Beside that packet is 100 others that haven't even got a shot yet and want to try. If you only had to pick 50 what would you do? That is the reality of the Army. We all want the career but it is at the expense of the military. They decide if we stay or go. If we left on bad terms they don't owe us anything. You can try to get a waiver and maybe that might work but I can't say that I have ever seen an RE-3 make it back into the military.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 29 at 2017 3:38 PM

2017-05-29T15:38:01-04:00

I presume you now have a "support system" that will enable you to serve?

Response by PVT Angelo Velez made May 29 at 2017 5:47 PM

2017-05-29T17:47:49-04:00

That's what I'm doing. Our situations are different most likely. I found both an army and navy recruiter and they are both willing to put in the work to try and get me re-enlisted. I have a re-enlistment code of re-3 as well. Go into the recruiters office and talk to them. Whatever question you think they will ask you, make sure you answer it before they even have the chance to ask it in my opinion which means that you thought long and hard about re-enlisting and that you can reassure them that you have everything squared away and that you're also physically and mentally ready. I will be enlisting with a college degree this time though so there has been a lot of changes in me since I enlisted. The fact that you have a high ASVAB score as well will help in my opinion.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2017 9:00 PM

2017-11-09T21:00:15-05:00

RE-3 just means waiver, for whatever reason, as many have stated. More details are in your seps code. Depends on the needs of the gaining service and seps code. RE-4 is a non-starter. USN recruiter could give you the best info on it. A lot stems from ASVAB scores and what you're qualified for vs. needs of the Navy. Most recruiters will work a prior-service, but not with a great sense of urgency, depending on all the above. You have to be your own advocate by getting informed and following up on the process. This all assumes you are still mentally, morally, and physically qualified. The clock is ticking on age also, so be vigilant. Plenty of online resources, but each case is different, so grab your DD-214 and visit a recruiter. Good luck.

Response by Briana Merritt made Jul 13 at 2018 3:27 AM

2018-07-13T03:27:14-04:00

It’s all about recruiter. I know the army will push it, but I worked with at least 6 different recruiters (moved a lot) in the past 3 years from Navy and Marine Corps, and finally just decided to go army reserves and push for a 368 after a while.