Trying to go back to Active Duty from IRR but I'm hitting a road block because of my record. Any Advice?

WO1 Jacob Wellman — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 19:09:12 -0400

I ETS'd from the Army, with an RE code 1 and honorably discharged, December of 2016 and im currently in the IRR looking to return to active duty. this normally wouldn't be a problem but to explain my history I had gotten a waiver to join (because of an OWI which is basically a DUI in Michigan) and during my leave after AIT in 2011 i received another one. It was some incredibly poor decision making on my part and I regret having done so since but it has almost been eight years since then and I was lucky enough to have my first duty station completely ignore the OWI. So when I got out I had not considered this would come back to haunt me coming back in but that's exactly the problem now. My friend who is a Station commander for recruiting decided to help me but a few weeks in found out his battalion commander would not approve my packet stating that "there are plenty of soldiers without a record we can be taking in" regardless of the discharge and RE code 1. I understand shes only following the rules and my friend has explained it to me but I'm looking to find another way into active duty if there is one. This is what I want to do and I'm going to do everything i can to retire active duty. So is there anything i can do or any good suggestions out there?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 19 at 2019 8:15 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:15:01 -0400

https://www.military.com/benefits/records-and-forms/discharge-review.html

I didn't know if this might be of any possible relevance and/or use, however, I'd seen stuff that VA has traveling teams from them, assumedly for all svcs, that you might possibly ask about, if it'd be at all germane...just a thought, honest, hope is of at least some conceivable use....

Discharge Review Boards

Veterans can have their military discharge conditions reviewed and possibly upgraded by requesting a review.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 19 at 2019 8:20 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:20:35 -0400

http://www.vetadvocates.org

These guys, NOVA, normally do VA-disability stuff, they handled my whole total perm disability thing after we transferred to them from a vet group, my thing just got way too involved, there was a $500 consult, our guy did 3 yrs active, with 35-40 yrs VA-disability law...aside from vet groups, or law school vet law clinics, NOVA is pretty much at the top of the food chain for a good deal of stuff, hooked into a lot of law stuff for stuff like you'd brought up...try their search engine, or call their main ofc, and see if they can suggest a law group that might handle your kind of thin...really, I've sent their stuff in here many times, as have numerous others, they're a really handy group to know about, even if only to go to just for vet advice generally, even if not for VA-disability stuff, per se, you know? Honestly, I think you might seriously find them of use to at least just try to chat with their guys, and run your whole thing past them, they know a good many law groups that do a lot of other stuff, MEB/PEB, BCMR/BCNR, and the DRB stuff I'd already sent in that "might" possibly be relevant and/or germane to your whole thing, hope they're of use, if you'd care to chat more, just lemme know, no rush, whenever you'd want, honest, OK?

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Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 19 at 2019 10:36 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 22:36:05 -0400

That DUI is going to hurt.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Jul 19 at 2019 10:59 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 22:59:00 -0400

I know a little about recruiting (spent three years with USAREC). Recruiting is NCO business so talk to their battalion CSM (use the chain, Station Commander, First Sergeant, then CSM). You are an NCO (even in the IRR) so use that angle as well. The best selling point I ever heard from a prior service applicant was that he wanted to be a leader again. Best of Luck!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 20 at 2019 1:30 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 13:30:29 -0400

Having not one but two DUIs is a roadblock of immense portions.

The first one a leader could look at it and decide poor decision making by a young man before he had professionalism and discipline instilled Adam as part of becoming a US Army soldier

But then you had the second one after basic training you know the time when you were supposed to go from a citizen to us older and have the upmost respect for laws the constitution yourself your unit professionalism and discipline higher than most

Now you’re asking a person that has no background on you other than what’s on paper to take a flying chance that you’re not the person you once were but you are the person with a story and a request

The station commander is correct there are many applicants out there that won’t have any record ad and the rest of them that have something on their record prior service and all of those categories are going to come before you

Not trying to be demeaning nor tell you your chances are zero but reality is you’re asking somebody to take a huge chance with very little likelihood of reward for them I’m just your word.

If you really have grown up and matured and would be a tangible asset to a unit I wish you well and best of luck getting back in keep your head up give it your best shot try several different regions to see if you get a battalion commander in recruiting to buy off on your request

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2019 3:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 15:49:31 -0400

Never hurts to try different recruiting stations, different commanders. My husband hit that as well but I gave him the advice of “I was young and stupid and didn’t realize the opportunity the military was giving me” he got the go. Also mention years have passed and you have done everything in your power to advance and show effort in changing. Good luck