Discharge Upgrade Questions

[astrip87]

There's kind of a long story to this, so please bear with me and I thank you in advance if you read through all of it.

I graduated high school in '06, got my girlfriend pregnant and decided to enlist in the Army. It was a dream I'd had since I was a kid, to serve. From the very get-go, though, I was barred from my MOS desires by my new wife and she began to sink her teeth into my dreams and criticize my choices.

I graduated BCT and headed to Ft. Eustis to begin my education with the Aviation Logistics School. Without my knowledge, my wife moved out to Virginia and continued to harass me. She belittled my choices even more, treated me like I was nothing, but I was so very in love with her, I couldn't just tell her to get away from me.

She then threatened to disappear with my daughter if I did not find a way out of the Army. Fellow soldiers at my company and even a few NCO's I'd met told me that I could go AWOL for 30 days and be given an entry-level seperation upon report to Ft. Sill, OK, and that I could solve my familial issues and perhaps rejoin at a later date.

It was a chance that sounded fishy, but my mind was awash with the prospect of never seeing my family again, as illogical as it sounds now, especially to me. Sure enough, I was given an RE-4 and Discharge in Lieu of Court-Martial. A year later, I seperated from my wife and divorced her and now live a life wondering what could have been.

I've been in touch with my State Representative and his VA Liason, but I'm seeking other advice. I'm going to request a meeting before a board in DC, but I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice, tell me where exactly I'd be going, who would be there, how I would need to conduct myself, etc., and most importantly, my chances of re-enlisting and perhaps even serving as a Ranger like I've wanted to since I was a child.

Thank you very much for your time. This mistake I made was the worst I could've ever made, and not a day goes by that it does not haunt me. All I want, more than anything save the continual health and happiness of my child is to serve in my nation's Army again.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by astrip87

There's kind of a long story to this, so please bear with me and I thank you in advance if you read through all of it.

I graduated high school in '06, got my girlfriend pregnant and decided to enlist in the Army. It was a dream I'd had since I was a kid, to serve. From the very get-go, though, I was barred from my MOS desires by my new wife and she began to sink her teeth into my dreams and criticize my choices.

I graduated BCT and headed to Ft. Eustis to begin my education with the Aviation Logistics School. Without my knowledge, my wife moved out to Virginia and continued to harass me. She belittled my choices even more, treated me like I was nothing, but I was so very in love with her, I couldn't just tell her to get away from me.

She then threatened to disappear with my daughter if I did not find a way out of the Army. Fellow soldiers at my company and even a few NCO's I'd met told me that I could go AWOL for 30 days and be given an entry-level seperation upon report to Ft. Sill, OK, and that I could solve my familial issues and perhaps rejoin at a later date.

It was a chance that sounded fishy, but my mind was awash with the prospect of never seeing my family again, as illogical as it sounds now, especially to me. Sure enough, I was given an RE-4 and Discharge in Lieu of Court-Martial. A year later, I seperated from my wife and divorced her and now live a life wondering what could have been.

I've been in touch with my State Representative and his VA Liason, but I'm seeking other advice. I'm going to request a meeting before a board in DC, but I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice, tell me where exactly I'd be going, who would be there, how I would need to conduct myself, etc., and most importantly, my chances of re-enlisting and perhaps even serving as a Ranger like I've wanted to since I was a child.

Thank you very much for your time. This mistake I made was the worst I could've ever made, and not a day goes by that it does not haunt me. All I want, more than anything save the continual health and happiness of my child is to serve in my nation's Army again.

Jesus Christ himself cannot upgrade your RE code. Even if you can prove that your category of discharge was given unjustly or in error, it wasn't, your RE code will not change. You made the choice to go AWOL and now you will deal with the consequences of your action for the remainder of your life.

[astrip87]

Thank you for your reply, Eraupike, I understand the consequences of my actions, but surely you can understand that I must try. If I never do, then I never will know.

A National Guard recruiter I am in contact with and the VA liason at Mr. John Boozeman's office have both offered far more optimistic viewpoints about it and planted the seed of hope within me. The recruiter told me that if I can somehow prove that the RE code was given in error (Which may indeed be quite an uphill battle, but one I am willing to fight nontheless), it may be able to be upgraded. However, that does not mean I will only listen to two perspectives on the issue and also would like to hear any advice you may be willing to give about the Board and whatnot. Please, even if nothing is to happen, I still need to know, because I need to do this, to put everything out there and try as hard as I can to fix this, even if I am to fail.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by astrip87

Thank you for your reply, Eraupike, I understand the consequences of my actions, but surely you can understand that I must try. If I never do, then I never will know.

A National Guard recruiter I am in contact with and the VA liason at Mr. John Boozeman's office have both offered far more optimistic viewpoints about it and planted the seed of hope within me. The recruiter told me that if I can somehow prove that the RE code was given in error (Which may indeed be quite an uphill battle, but one I am willing to fight nontheless), it may be able to be upgraded. However, that does not mean I will only listen to two perspectives on the issue and also would like to hear any advice you may be willing to give about the Board and whatnot. Please, even if nothing is to happen, I still need to know, because I need to do this, to put everything out there and try as hard as I can to fix this, even if I am to fail.

That is not true. Army regulations are very clear that the board cannot change your RE code. Your discharge category can be upgraded (OTH to Honorable) but that is not going to happen either. The board does not have the authority to change your RE code. You will simply be wasting your time if you attempt any action beyond requesting information on Freeadvice.com.

What makes you think that you can prove your discharge was given in error?

[astrip87]

I don't really know. I'm on here for advice, so please, give me some on how I can prove my case, whether or not I'm wasting my time.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by astrip87

I don't really know. I'm on here for advice, so please, give me some on how I can prove my case, whether or not I'm wasting my time.

You can't prove something that does not exist. Your discharge was not given in error or unjustly. My advice to you is to accept your mistake and move on with your life. You will not be able to serve in the United States armed forces for the remainder of your natural life and there is no possible avenue to change that. Stop making excuses and take responsibility for your actions. This is your fault, not anyone else.

[astrip87]

What the hell are you, some kind of damn robot? I ****ed up, yeah, and I want to fix that. But I guess you can't understand that, so, I'll just take everything you've said with a grain of salt and hope someone with an ounce of optimism has a reply. What ar eyou credentials, anyway? How the hell do you know what will happen? Give me proof of what you say you know.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by astrip87

What the hell are you, some kind of damn robot? I ****ed up, yeah, and I want to fix that. But I guess you can't understand that, so, I'll just take everything you've said with a grain of salt and hope someone with an ounce of optimism has a reply. What ar eyou credentials, anyway? How the hell do you know what will happen? Give me proof of what you say you know.

The Reenty Eligibility (RE) code can only be changed if it is administratively incorrect and the wrong code was entered on the discharge document. The RE code is determined by the reason for separation and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code entered on the separation document according to definition given in Army Regulation 601-280, Regular Army and Army Reserve Enlistment Program. You should be aware that according to Army Regulation 601-210 (Regular Army and Army Reserve Enlistment Program), the Reentry Eligibility (RE) Code can only be changed if an incorrect code was entered.

Directly taken from: [url]http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/adrb-faq.cfm]ArmyReview Board Agency

You want to fix your mistake, then just learn to take responsibility for your action. You will never again be allowed the honor of serving in this nations armed forces.

[LSCAP]

A friend of mine wanted to be a NYPD cop. His father, a NYPD detective, died in the 1939 worlds fair when a bomb he was trying to disconnect blew up.
He joined the PD. Then his wife left for California and divorced him. He followed and lost his job. He got drafted for Viet Nam, and had his legs messed up in a trap of some kind.
Couldn’t come back to his dream the NYPD.
Opened a garage/service station with his brother. Got married, has children, and the last I saw of him, is very happy.

Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.

Move on to something else. Follow another dream.