Will I need a moral waiver to re-enlist in the USMC with an honorable discharge and re-entry code of RE-1a?

LCpl Cody D — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 02:32:48 -0400

I’m currently in the process of re-enlistment into the Army. Spent 4 years as an 0331 machinegunner in the Marines. While I was in I got slammed for hazing junior marines and received a summary court martial. Fortunately I was able to stay in and deploy again and still get out with an honorable discharge and re-entry code of RE-1a. My concern is if I will need a moral waiver to re-enlist. My recruiter dosent seem to know the answer %100 but says I should be fine since I finished out my time and received a positive re-entry code. Currently waiting to go to MEPS for my physical but still not sure when and if this may become an issue?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2020 2:37 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 02:37:04 -0400

A court martial results in a federal conviction.

Yes you will need a moral waiver and character statements. And you better leave that hazing shit out of the Army

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 8 at 2020 3:21 AM

SSG Brian G. — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 03:21:59 -0400

The fact that you were able to finish you time and even re-enlist speaks to the summary not being a bar to re-enlistment. That and your RE of 1a.

You may need a moral waiver. If so just get one. Your recruiter should have kicked the question up the chain to a higher authority to get answered. No one here can answer that question for you.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Sep 8 at 2020 7:39 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:39:25 -0400

Your RE code says you can re-enlist in the Marines after 93 days. Your recruiter is probably correct, you should not need a waiver with a RE-1A code.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2020 9:47 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 09:47:09 -0400

According to

https://militarybenefits.info/reenlistment-re-codes/

For the Marines, an RE-1a is Eligible for reenlistment

Your recruiter just needs to send the RFI up their Chain....but you should be good.

Military Reenlistment (RE) Codes | Military Benefits

RE codes are entered on military discharge documents (DD Form 214, Record of Discharge) and characterize a member's future eligibility to enlist or reenlist.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2020 9:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 09:49:17 -0400

And, I would like you to stop and consider this:

Were you hazed when you came in? Did you like it? Did you enjoy it? If you are able to get back in, stop the hazing and break the cycle.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 8 at 2020 1:55 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 13:55:58 -0400

Just lean on your recruiter to answer the waiver question. RE 1A and honorable makes it look all clear but it ultimately falls on what the recruiting Command says.

Response by SGM Thomas Terebesi Sr made Sep 9 at 2020 10:11 PM

SGM Thomas Terebesi Sr — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 22:11:15 -0400

A discharge code of RE-1 does not require a a waiver to re-enlist. If there is no negative narrative in the DD 214 Meps would not even be aware of a court martial. The marines evidently did not do a bar to re-enlist on you.