RE-4 revisited...Doug, MR1of1...

[BA31Times]

i have an RE-4 and yes, i do deserve it. i enlisted erroneously about six years ago. i lied about using marijuana a couple times in high school. i didn't think it was a big deal since it was ONLY a couple times and i hadn't smoked months prior to my enlistment. once i got to great lakes i freaked out during the moment of truth and came forward. that was definitely the wrong choice: i was administratively discharged and told i could reenlist at a later date. the issue was that i lied, not that i smoked weed. so here i am, trying to get back in. everything about my life indicates that i'm an ideal candidate for the navy and NSW. everything except for that one lie - which i came forward at my own will. the navy didn't have its own discovery and i have never failed a drug test. here's the run down: never been arrested or in any trouble with the law, graduated high school, played sports my whole entire life including four years of college basketball - so i definitley know what the "team" philosphy embraces and i bleed those principles, and i just graduated college. so even if the navy absolutely refuses my reenlistment, i don't see myself working at jiffy lube MR1of1...unless someday i own one and my employees sevice the wonderful car i'm sure you own. one of my good friends is shipping out in november and works out with a seal motivator a couple times a week. after sitting down with this seal a few times things look at least a little postive. he really can't help me back in, but he's aimed me in the right direction. and as for NSW, he wants me in there and is more than willing to provide the necessary documentation. luckily i know some people in very high places and i've been in contact with them. it's taking awhile because i am doing my best to respect the chain of command, but i believe i'll be successful. i have to believe that.
as for my erroneous enlistment...do you think i'm the only person who has ever lied while enlisting? i'd be willing to bet that servicemen and women from all branches and all arenas of combat have enlisted erroneously and still serve today - not all and not most, but some. i specifically know some who have and a couple of them are seals. it's alright though, whether a seal or a jiffy lube worker we are only human after all.

[Doug]

Again, that will all be up to the higher brass to make a decision as to whether or not they will allow you to continue forward after your previous "cover-up." Every situation is different so only the authoprities that decide can answer. Good luck to you...

[haydon21]

Doug, Im trying to help BA31times out myself. He is a close friend of mine and I came across this from the Navy Recruiting Enlistment Manual. It was under MILPERSMAN 1910-132. I am unable to cut and paste it here becuase it is PDF but here it what it says about his situation.

Exception to rule for Recruit Training Center (RTC) /Naval Training Center (NTC) Great Lakes.

a. Recruits must be administratively seperated and assigned an RE-3J reenlistment code prodived they:
1. failed entry -level drug testing for marijuana only upon arrival,
2. were direct ships (less than 30 days in Delayed Entry Program), and
3. confessed to use of Marijuana only during Moment of Truth.

Parts 2 and 3 of this fit his situation exactly so it seems to me that he should have been discharged with a RE-3J instead of the RE-4. I know RE-3 isnt too much better but RE-3 is Ineligble for re-enlistment / waiverable where RE-4 is just ineligble for re-enlistment. If this is the case it seems to me like he has a legit chance of getting this changed. Any advice of who to talk to about this? Does this seem like a good lead to you? Thanks

[JohnnyCash]

Hey BA31Times,

I'm not a SEAL though wanted to give you what I have seen regarding the Re-entry code. A kid received an RE-4 and contacted more then one Navy Recruiter to see about getting back in the Navy, being it has been 3 years later since the incident. Every single Recruiter said they can work with an RE-3, just not an RE-4. The guy was advised to Obtain a copy of DD Form 149, "Application for Correction of Military Records." and to contact the VA for possible assistance in getting the RE-4 lifted. The VA can not assist with changing the RE-4, it can not be lifted at all. It also does take awhile to receive a response back after filling the DD149 out and sending it in. The guy was advised to enter in another branch, which he did, serve his minimum in that branch and then enlist in the Navy. Very strange, but the VA Officer said something very interesting: If there was anything the Navy Recruiter could do about it, they would have already done it.

He ended up in the Army National Guard, I guess he's still planning to go Navy after his time is up. I don't want to give a downer or anything, I just remember what all he went through.

Take care man!