Would a letter of recommendation from my former Commanding Officer (who separated me) help me to reenlist with an RE-4?

FN Davin Brown — Mon, 08 May 2023 05:11:49 -0400

Want to re enlist with an Re4 I have a letter of recommendation from My Former Commanding Officer that separated me would this work in my favor for it happening

Looking for help

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made May 8 at 2023 5:17 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Mon, 08 May 2023 05:17:30 -0400

Comments

Response by COL Randall C. made May 8 at 2023 9:01 AM

COL Randall C. — Mon, 08 May 2023 09:01:13 -0400

According to the Navy, no go if you want to rejoin the active component.

An RE-4 means you are "Normally not eligible to reenlist, nor join another service" and will require a waiver to reenlist.

Specific to the Navy (active component), they consider RE-2, RE-3A, RE-3C, and RE-4* as "Ineligible to reenlist - waivers not authorized and will not be considered"*. However, the Navy does say that they will consider a waiver for RE-4 codes on a case by case basis to join the Navy Reserves.
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* Prior service applicants issued a Reenlistment code of RE-4 (or equivalent) upon separation, solely for homosexual conduct may be eligible for re-enlistment/enlistment.
* https://www.navycs.com/military-re-codes.html
* https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Reserve-Personnel-Mgmt/Enlisted/Waivers/

Military Re-Enlistment Code Chart

United States military re-enlistment code chart utilized for determining waiver path for the United States Navy.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 8 at 2023 9:04 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 08 May 2023 09:04:45 -0400

The Army will sometimes waiver an RE-4 code, depending on how hard up they are for bodies and the reason code for the RE-4. It would probably be to your best interest to get that RE code changed if you are trying to get back in the Navy, they say they won't waivers for RE4.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2023 1:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 May 2023 13:14:39 -0400

Not likely

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2023 7:39 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 May 2023 19:39:15 -0400

No, no it will not

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jun 11 at 2023 6:18 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 18:18:53 -0400

You can reenlist when the Cuban Army starts marching up I-95 in Florida.

Response by CPT Kurk Harris made Jun 11 at 2023 7:22 PM

CPT Kurk Harris — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 19:22:50 -0400

RE-4 is basically a no-go. When I was on Recruiting Duty we couldn’t even count an RE-4 as an appointment. I never even saw an RE-4 waiver. Best advice is to proceed with plan B.

Response by PO1 Janice Ritz made Jun 12 at 2023 7:22 AM

PO1 Janice Ritz — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 07:22:57 -0400

Your commanding officer is the one that gave you that RE-4 code to begin with, so I doubt they'd give you the recommendation to re-up after they looked over your record. My CO gave me an RE4 bc I went over his head to get out of the service. He was going to extend my PRD out to my EAOS and send me overseas with the squadron for 6 months after I'd just had a baby. I would have been willing to go IF my husband at the time had not been a drunkard and unable to care for my 3 children properly. However, the CO was having none of that and did it anyway. I had to write a letter to the Chief of Naval Personnel to request an early out, which was approved. Needless to say, the CO wasn't happy and gave me the RE4 even though I was physically and mentally capable of reenlistment. That bastard ruined my chances of getting my 20 (I had 13). Still, I'd do it all over again if I had to. My kids came first.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jun 14 at 2023 10:49 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 22:49:30 -0400

I'm going to say 'no'. Generally, anyway. RE-4 means not eligible for reenlistment. Otherwise, I'd be back in the Army now. If the military is in dire need of bodies to replenish the force, maybe they'll issue a waiver. But I doubt it.

Response by TSgt Vincent Chenevert made Jul 12 at 2023 8:46 AM

TSgt Vincent Chenevert — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 08:46:50 -0400

Your can what ever you want from whomever you want. When you got to re-enlist or join another service no one can change or avoid that code. They will gave to deal with it. The letter from your Commander can be used in the waiver.

Response by SGM Dr Mansa Kulkta made Jul 13 at 2023 10:33 AM

SGM Dr Mansa Kulkta — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 10:33:37 -0400

I'm afraid not, my friend. Your best route is to try and get the code upgraded.

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Jul 14 at 2023 12:51 PM

GySgt William Hardy — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 12:51:43 -0400

My son was in the situation. He finally "grew up" and tried to enlist in the Army National Guard. It took a letter of recommendation from a Colonel and he was enlisted on a "try one basis". After a year he was allowed to reenlist and subsequently served long enough to retire. With his active time and reserve time (about 3 years of his reserve time was on active duty in the Middle East, he has a decent retirement in a few more years.

Response by SSG Letricia Williams made Jul 14 at 2023 5:41 PM

SSG Letricia Williams — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:41:00 -0400

I would talk to someone who is a great admin to get that waiver going and advocate on your behalf. I’ve learned there’s a waiver for nearly everything just don’t give up or accept every “no” as an answer.

Response by SPC Damon Hairston made Jul 17 at 2023 5:37 PM

SPC Damon Hairston — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:37:44 -0400

Follow the advice of the Gunney in this thread. The National Guard can waive just about anything besides felonies.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2023 8:30 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 08:30:17 -0400

Navy wide we’re undermanned so couldn’t hurt to try, just don’t get set on it.