Is there anyone on this board who can help me with straightening out my discharge from the US Navy?

I only ask because I was young when I went in (17) and when I got out (19). I was stupid. I'm 37 now, and want to go into the Army National Guard, but my discharge is holding me up. I was given a re-enlistment code of RE-4. I need to try to get it changed. My discharge was NOT a "dishonorable discharge". It was actually called n "Other than Honorable". I was told I would be able to get it changed to an "honorable" after a certain period of time. Anyone out there able to help?


I should mention that I had a bit of a drinking problem back them which I no longer have.

give me a few days. I will do some research.

Thanks!

I wish you the best of luck in your quest. And congrats on kicking your habit, thats not an easy monkey to get rid of.

Actually, all it took was my girlfriend (now my wife) telling me to stop. Unfortunatly, I met her AFTER I got out. She gave me an ultimatum: Booze or her I think I made the right choice.

You need to get with the VA and start there. Your ARMY NG recruiter should have told you that. An RE-4 is a bad thing and I can understand your wanting to fix that. I have a friend that got a BCD (bad conduct discharge) from the Marines I know he got his BCD change to General not sure about his RE code. I am on the phone with him here is what he told me your Recruiter should be able to get you going your going to have to talk with them they will know what paper work you need to file. If you had brig time or been in jail since you were discharged your going to have a tough time. It's not impossible,


Good Luck

I went to jail for a shot time after I got out. I never spent any time in the brig. I haven't had any legal issues in the last 17 years aside from the occasional speeding ticket. Plus, a recent check into my criminal history showed nothing even from back then. It's weird.

We had two people with drinking problems in my command that got RE-4's one with a OT, and one with a BCD, the BCD is irreversible, the OTH should have been upgradeable after 6 months of the official discharge date for something as minor as a drinking problem. If teh VA can't help try calling a base PSD office, and see what they can tell you.

I really don't like giving a kid a black mark like an RE-4 unless they commited a serious crime.

A BCD should not be handed out just to "Make an Example" getting a good paying job in a major corportation with an RE-4 is going to be difficult this will be with the person for his entire life long after the infractions are forgotten.

In my branch we will kick you but out in a heart beat for Drinking and getting in trouble especially if your an E-4 or above me a DUI would force me to retire.

Originally Posted by Topmaul

I really don't like giving a kid a black mark like an RE-4 unless they commited a serious crime.

A BCD should not be handed out just to "Make an Example" getting a good paying job in a major corportation with an RE-4 is going to be difficult this will be with the person for his entire life long after the infractions are forgotten.

In my branch we will kick you but out in a heart beat for Drinking and getting in trouble especially if your an E-4 or above me a DUI would force me to retire.

Va Beach is a Navy town, so anything but an Honorable is gonna get you a permanent place in the unemployment line here