Posted on May 24, 2018
RE Code 4, OTH in 96 but was told I could easily change it later. Is there any truth to this? Can anything be done?
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Here's the situation. I went to basic at fort benning in 96, got injured, put in medical holdover status for a while and my 18 year old self decided to do something dumb and went awol. It was a mistake and I regret it. After a while, I got a letter informing me to report to fort sill, oklahoma to a personnel control facility. They kept me there for about two weeks, advised me on my situation and gave me a discharge of Other Than Honorable with an RE code 4. However, the staff there let us know that we would be able to change this easily down the road. To say that was inaccurate would be an understatement. Around 2004, my actions really bothered me and I wanted to gain a bit of redemption. My father served 20 years in the army and to this day, he's the person I respect most in this world. So, I went to a recruiter, told him what happened and he tried to get me in but was unable too. I attempted to get my discharge upgraded but that didn't work. The recruiter I was working with told me to keep checking back in periodically because the rules might change or a new loophole, waiver, etc, might emerge. Several years later and many recruiters after him, some of which really got annoyed with me, and nothing still can be done. Matter of fact, it seems to have gotten worse. I currently work in law enforcement, am in fantastic shape and feel as though I've grown as a person by leaps and bounds from the kid that made a bad decision. Are there any other steps I can try and take? I know I'm too old to re-enlist but I'd still like to see if there are any other options. I'm surprised that the army would leave no way back for people in my situation.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Sad story, but you made a poor choice and thats what happens when you go awol. RE code is a permanent disqualification. The whole upgrading it or changing it is not accurate. I was a recruiter and clearly recall applicants who attempted to come back in with an RE CODE 4. I never was able to get one in. Do you and the recruiters a favor and move on. Besides, the current age for service is 35. The sole purpose of the RE code 4 is that, to ensure the army don't make the same mistake twice. Don't take it personal, but it is what it is, and you had your chance.
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I believe this is one of the biggest lies they tell discharges. One of the many things the military doesn't forgive, It seems set in stone. I heard that crap when I was in, in the early 80's. I had two roommates that got busted for drugs, stripped of rank, sent to jail and given a unfavorable discharge. They were telling me, when I visited them in the brig that all they had to do was wait 6 months and get their discharge upgraded. I ran across one of them two or three years ago, and he still has the same discharge. That being said, you could reach out to your representative, Congress person, Senator, or even Governor. It may work, it may not. Good Luck.
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Get a DD 293 form and appeal your discharge, not saying it'll go through but at least you can try. You might have quite a bit of trouble being as you went awol.
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SN K Walling
Of course! I do have additional information for you:
You need to collect any (and all) medical records you have from the military. You should also get as many character references as possible (one paged typed letter saying how great you are and how you shouldn't be judged harshly and how you think you deserve to be in the service etc), you should also type a sincere letter of why you did what you did and how you've learned from your experiences and how if given a chance you'll be a stellar Soldier.
I am currently in the process of changing my RE code and it seems to be going fairly well. I should be back in by 2020 if all goes well.
You need to collect any (and all) medical records you have from the military. You should also get as many character references as possible (one paged typed letter saying how great you are and how you shouldn't be judged harshly and how you think you deserve to be in the service etc), you should also type a sincere letter of why you did what you did and how you've learned from your experiences and how if given a chance you'll be a stellar Soldier.
I am currently in the process of changing my RE code and it seems to be going fairly well. I should be back in by 2020 if all goes well.
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