Re-enlistment
Re-enlistment
Posted on Dec 23, 2025
Has anyone successfully gotten the ABCMR to make major changes to a DD-214?
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I was medically retired in 2024 after I overloaded a life during the ACFT. Dumbest thing ever. My NARSUM states that they expected me to recover within 12 months. At no point prior to MRDP did they send me to a specialist. I was only permitted to do conservative treatment due to the MTF not having a neurosurgeon who could help me out. Within 90 days of my exit I had surgery. I'm 18 months post-op, back in the gym building up my tempo and I really want to try to see if the ABCMR would update my DD-214 so I can go back through the recruiters and get back to the line.
Note: I have to send orders (if I can get into iPerms) to verify@rallypoint to update my account. I haven't been on here in years. I was in C Co, 1-33 CAV, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). I didn't "earn" a retirement. I was given a hand out instead of a hand up and have hated it the whole time. I take no pride in it. It was so rushed that some of my paperwork says PFC while my ID and other paperwork say SPC. Talk about getting the big green weenie.
Note: I have to send orders (if I can get into iPerms) to verify@rallypoint to update my account. I haven't been on here in years. I was in C Co, 1-33 CAV, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). I didn't "earn" a retirement. I was given a hand out instead of a hand up and have hated it the whole time. I take no pride in it. It was so rushed that some of my paperwork says PFC while my ID and other paperwork say SPC. Talk about getting the big green weenie.
Posted in these groups: 
Re-enlistment
RE Code101st ABN
Infantry
11C: Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
Re-enlistment RE Code101st ABN Infantry 11C: Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman)
Posted 6 d ago
Responses: 2
BLUF: You've a steep mountain to climb. Is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? That depends on how much clear and convincing evidence you would be able to provide to the board.
Michael, in regards to your account, the first thing you would need to do is change your account type to veteran in the settings page*. After that you can easily verify your service easily by using ID.me (go to the top of the settings page and click on the link to the right of "verification' under 'Account Settings'.
To your specific question. The ABCMR often issues major changes to separation documents, however the criteria is always the same - the individual must show that the Army did something in error or that you were the subject of a grave injustice. In either case, the burden will be on you to provide that clear and convincing evidence why your determination should be changed.
Based on your statement, no error was committed in medically separating you, however you obviously feel that there was an injustice committed. At face value, you would have to show to the board that your standard of care while on active duty was not acceptable, that if the acceptable standard of care was given that you would have been able to recover to meet the standards of medical fitness, and that your recovery would likely have been in an adequate period to meet retention policy (i.e., 12 month non-deployable, etc.).
The different nuances and complexity in proving that could be substantial so you would really need to consult with experts about how big of a mountain you'll have to climb (some VSOs can help, there are lawyers who specialize in the different Service's BCMR, etc.).
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* Account settings page - https://www.rallypoint.com/settings
Michael, in regards to your account, the first thing you would need to do is change your account type to veteran in the settings page*. After that you can easily verify your service easily by using ID.me (go to the top of the settings page and click on the link to the right of "verification' under 'Account Settings'.
To your specific question. The ABCMR often issues major changes to separation documents, however the criteria is always the same - the individual must show that the Army did something in error or that you were the subject of a grave injustice. In either case, the burden will be on you to provide that clear and convincing evidence why your determination should be changed.
Based on your statement, no error was committed in medically separating you, however you obviously feel that there was an injustice committed. At face value, you would have to show to the board that your standard of care while on active duty was not acceptable, that if the acceptable standard of care was given that you would have been able to recover to meet the standards of medical fitness, and that your recovery would likely have been in an adequate period to meet retention policy (i.e., 12 month non-deployable, etc.).
The different nuances and complexity in proving that could be substantial so you would really need to consult with experts about how big of a mountain you'll have to climb (some VSOs can help, there are lawyers who specialize in the different Service's BCMR, etc.).
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* Account settings page - https://www.rallypoint.com/settings
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Michael Frey
Thank you, sir. I have found that my treatment was inconsistent with Army policy, namely in that there was a three month period where I was unable to access the MTF due to the transition to MHS GENESIS and also in that I was only afforded the opportunity to participate in Physical Therapy and Pain Management. Both the Physical Therapist and Pain Management doctors noted specific symptoms that required surgical intervention but the clinic and my PCM continually documented that these symptoms weren't present. What contradicts the PCM even more is that I was rated for these symptoms during the IDES process and hospitalized for them just 90 days prior to separation. I then had surgery 90 days post-separation. Additionally, the PEB stated I was permanently disabled despite the MEB physician expressly stating she expected me to recover within 12 months and that I had "tremendous healing potential." Currently, I'm back in the gym at a similar tempo as when I was an 11C which I think contradicts the findings of the PEB, but I'm no doctor. I'm working on my packet now and will submit it in a couple months. Hopefully in about two years time, I'll be back.
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COL Randall Cudworth
Michael Frey - The other route you could try (still a longshot) is to get a waiver to reenlist. You would have to show that the medical condition which caused your separation has healed completely and that you can fully meet the medical standards for enlistment* (note: there are a number of surgical procedures which, if the individual had at any time in their life, would disqualifying and would require a separate waiver).
It would be a longshot because how much effort a recruiter will put into gaining a waiver is typically tied to how much the military needs the potential recruit. If recruitment numbers are down or if the potential recruit possesses unique skills, then more effort is put into it. Otherwise, 'the juice isn't worth the squeeze' for them.
As with the MCRP, is it possible you could have success going this route? Yes. However, the probability is likely pretty low.
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DoD Instruction 6130.03, Volume 1, Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction - * https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol01.pdf
It would be a longshot because how much effort a recruiter will put into gaining a waiver is typically tied to how much the military needs the potential recruit. If recruitment numbers are down or if the potential recruit possesses unique skills, then more effort is put into it. Otherwise, 'the juice isn't worth the squeeze' for them.
As with the MCRP, is it possible you could have success going this route? Yes. However, the probability is likely pretty low.
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DoD Instruction 6130.03, Volume 1, Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction - * https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol01.pdf
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Michael Frey
6.16, para i. History of surgery to correct herniated nucleus pulposus other than a single-level lumbar or thoracic diskectomy that is currently asymptomatic with full resumption of unrestricted activity for at least 12 months.
That's me. I'm going to send it.
Edit to Add: I can't get a waiver currently because they put me on PDRL and gave me an RE-4 re-entry code. Until that is downgraded to at least an RE-3, recruiters will not work with me, unfortunately. But it's fine because while I deal with board stuff, I'm also getting back into shape to exceed standard.
That's me. I'm going to send it.
Edit to Add: I can't get a waiver currently because they put me on PDRL and gave me an RE-4 re-entry code. Until that is downgraded to at least an RE-3, recruiters will not work with me, unfortunately. But it's fine because while I deal with board stuff, I'm also getting back into shape to exceed standard.
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Unless things have changed, submit a dd215 to your service branch with supporting documents to the National Archives.
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Michael Frey
All due respect, sir, why the National Archives? I'm tracking there's not much they can do.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Michael Frey - if there are records to support your claim, that is where they are kept and each of the services have a correction board that work through them. It doesn't mean that they aren't lost, all my medical records that I didn't personally have in my files are gone, but my last Guard year was 1995.
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Michael Frey
Ohhhh. We have everything digital now thanks to Army sites like iPerms. I have all of my medical and administrative records on my desktop, thankfully, and I'm combing through to put together a packet for the Board.
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