OTH Discharge and RE-4

[Mromans]

I have a similar situation. I joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 2009 straight out of high school. When I joined, I didn't have much financially due to being in foster care until I was 18. My civilian life just got worse from there. I ended up living in my truck when I wasn't able to stay with friends, and I was working jobs for money. I wasn't at all in a good place mentally due to what family I had left(my grandma) being diagnosed with cancer and I ended up losing what belongings I had left. I could not make it to my drills due to no money not being able to communicate with anyone in my unit. I didn't know the consequences of missing too many drills was that I would get an admin separation and an OTH discharge. I was just a boot with no knowledge of the consequences of my actions. I had an ex girlfriend's address on file and about a year later (2013) I see her and she gives me a packet she received via certified mail stating that I was being or had been discharged. At that time i was still really struggling financially and did not have a steady place to live, so there was nothing I could do to stop it. Over the next few years I was able to slowly get back on my feet. I recently started looking into getting my discharge changed in hopes of getting back into any branch. I found out I also have a RE-4 reenlistment code. On paper I was AWOL. No bad conduct, no failed drug tests, I was just beaten up mentally and homeless. Is it possible for me to get my discharge upgraded and also get my RE-4 changed as well? I understand I more than likely won't be able to re-enlist in the Marines, but can i still join the Army with a RE-4? I want to serve again more than anything, so any advice will help me.

 

[Shadowbunny]

I have a similar situation. I joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 2009 straight out of high school. When I joined, I didn't have much financially due to being in foster care until I was 18. My civilian life just got worse from there. I ended up living in my truck when I wasn't able to stay with friends, and I was working jobs for money. I wasn't at all in a good place mentally due to what family I had left(my grandma) being diagnosed with cancer and I ended up losing what belongings I had left. I could not make it to my drills due to no money not being able to communicate with anyone in my unit. I didn't know the consequences of missing too many drills was that I would get an admin separation and an OTH discharge. I was just a boot with no knowledge of the consequences of my actions. I had an ex girlfriend's address on file and about a year later (2013) I see her and she gives me a packet she received via certified mail stating that I was being or had been discharged. At that time i was still really struggling financially and did not have a steady place to live, so there was nothing I could do to stop it. Over the next few years I was able to slowly get back on my feet. I recently started looking into getting my discharge changed in hopes of getting back into any branch. I found out I also have a RE-4 reenlistment code. On paper I was AWOL. No bad conduct, no failed drug tests, I was just beaten up mentally and homeless. Is it possible for me to get my discharge upgraded and also get my RE-4 changed as well? I understand I more than likely won't be able to re-enlist in the Marines, but can i still join the Army with a RE-4? I want to serve again more than anything, so any advice will help me.

You will not be able to enlist in the Army with an RE-4. The Army (like all the other branches) is downsizing - they're not going to waste time or money on someone who has proven they aren't committed.

 

[FlyingRon]

Even if they weren't downsizing, you're not getting in with an RE-4. It's not waiverable. You're only chance was to convince someone that the RE-4 circumstances were unwarranted at the time. Seeing how you were were a persistent absentee, there appears to be nothing that would change that determination. Your story of not being able to deal with your failure to report is lame.