Based on my discharge, what are my chances of getting back into the military?

2019-02-09T14:10:51-05:00

Let me preface this by stating I completely understand the most efficient and reliable way to get these questions answered would be to speak to a local recruiter. I am posting this because I'd rather not waste a recruiter's time if I'm not planning on re entering the Military just yet. I am just searching for anyone in the Military community who maybe has experience with this sort of thing and can give me some advice.

So the back story is this; I enlisted with the TX ARNG as a 68W back in 2016 after I graduated High School. Throughout BCT I did pretty well, and I graduated in January of 2017. Unfortunately, during the last few weeks of Basic and beginning half of AIT is where my problems arose. Due to some severe family and relationship issues that I will spare you the details of, I fell into a depression. I recognized that the thoughts and feelings I was having were not okay, so I sought help from the Behavioral Health clinic on base. I was honest in telling them how I was feeling, so they decided it would be best to admit me to a hospital. I spent a couple days there and began treatment. To sum up the rest of the story, I believe the official diagnosis they gave me in BH was "adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood," which I made a full recovery from. Within a couple months, I no longer needed to receive treatment or take medication of any sort, but by then my discharge was so far along that I didn't bother fighting it. I have not had any issues whatsoever since and I do not plan on needing any treatment for any physical or mental conditions anytime in the future. I've learned much better coping mechanisms, much better ways to process stress, and have improved my overall lifestyle as to prevent anything like this from happening ever again. I've been home for a while and am currently working on my bachelor's degree in criminal justice, but I honestly miss the Army and would give anything to serve my country again. I refuse to give up on the idea of coming back into the Military.

My DD214 looks something along the lines of this:
Discharge: Chapter 5-17
Condition: Honorable
Reentry Code: 1
Separation Code: JFV
Reason for Separation: "Condition, not a disability"
I'm not sure if any of that is subject to change for any reason, but this is the most up to date information I have.

To sum it all up, based on what I've explained above, how do my chances look of getting back into the Military? If they don't look too good, what are some things that I can start doing to improve my chances?
Follow up question: If I do get a waiver or whatever I have to do to get back in, how would that affect my options in terms of MOS and Specialized Schools? (Airborne, Special Operations, CID, Officer School, etc.)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2019 2:26 PM

2019-02-09T14:26:39-05:00

Well, you were given an RE-Code of 1, which is great. The Sep Code may need a waiver but my search hasn't yielded anything yet to confirm. Other than telling you to speak to a Recruiter in person (which you acknowledged in the beginning you were going to get that answer), perhaps there are Recruiters here on RP that can assist you. Either way, whether you speak to one in person or here on RP....you will need to speak to a Recruiter to get the solid and correct answer.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2019 2:30 PM

2019-02-09T14:30:54-05:00

Everything has a waiver lol
Maybe going and speaking with a recruiter will help you figure out what to do. You cannot make realistic decisions about your future with half answers. Get your butt into gear and waste a recruiters time. He isn't doing shit anyways.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2019 2:43 PM

2019-02-09T14:43:30-05:00

So I have seen this many times when I was a recruiter. The only difference I have seen is that I only saw a RE-1 with a sep code ofJFV once. Further investigation into it with the Army was it was a typo and he was a RE-3. The only ones I ever saw were RE-3 and 4. There are indeed waivers for alot of stuff. It can be possible to be waived. It may not. It may take absolutely 6 months to a year to show not only good faith but to reevaluate you and your status mentally. I did have one approved on a very motivated young lady who went on to have a very successful career. Talk with a recruiter or two or three. The rules and regulations always change and one minute they may not allow it and the next day allow it. Good luck to you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2019 2:52 PM

2019-02-09T14:52:57-05:00

Haven't you posted this before?
See a Recruiter knowing the following, and that a waiver may be considered.
See DoDI 6130.03 5.28.
f. Depressive disorder if:
(1) Outpatient care including counseling required for longer than 12 cumulative months;
(2) Symptoms or treatment within the last 36 months;
(3) The applicant required any inpatient treatment in a hospital or residential facility;
(4) Any recurrence; or
(5) Any suicidality (in accordance with Paragraph 5.28.m.).
g. History of a single adjustment disorder if treated or symptomatic within the previous
6 months, or any history of chronic (lasting longer than 6 months) or recurrent episodes of
adjustment disorders.
w. Prior psychiatric hospitalization for any cause.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2019 3:43 PM

2019-02-09T15:43:20-05:00

PVT Toby Poole No one can provide you with odds on getting into the military. When you want to get back in, then go talk to a recruiter.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 9 at 2019 3:43 PM

2019-02-09T15:43:21-05:00

If you are looking to return to the military, I'd have a doctor's clearance in hand when talking to a recruiter when trying to reenlist

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2019 8:45 PM

2019-02-09T20:45:56-05:00

Why are you hesitant to contact a local recruiter? If it's because you're afraid of face to face communication then go to GOARMY.com to talk with one online. I know you're not ready to go right now but what's so hard about asking them a question about your eligibility? Best of luck to you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2019 12:33 AM

2019-02-10T00:33:44-05:00

If you were coming in as a Chaplain (the medical portion is a nightmare for these guys) the RE code would be good. Once you started to fill out your 2807-2 for medical and that stuff were listed on there, you would still go to MEPS and all but you would be a medical read first. Meaning you would have to present the notes taken while in therapy as well as get a clearance letter from the doctor explaining what you were seen for and that he clears you for military service. From there, we send those documents in to MEPS and they look at it and determine if they will see you for a physics or not. It wouldn’t be a waiver until it made it to the surgeon general. If he sees something wrong with it then he kicks it back stating that you either need more documents or a psych consult from one of theirs or your own PCM then it becomes and medical waiver. Once you complete that, you send the new paperwork in and the SG looks at it again and he gives the answer of no or one more level above him. If he sends it up, count your days and hold your breath because if they say no, that’s it. Unless you do more doctor visits to combat this.

Sounds like a lot but that’s the process for us to put Chaplains in.

Response by SPC Kyle Baker made Apr 12 at 2019 9:57 AM

2019-04-12T09:57:26-04:00

We’re you able to get back in? I’m going through the same thing now of trying to get back in after getting out an isolated anxiety/depression “issue” that was handled by me going and checking myself into the local hospital

Response by SSG David Fetty made Apr 29 at 2019 7:42 AM

2019-04-29T07:42:41-04:00

Depending on how far along you are toward your degree and your previous expressed desire to go to OCS, it may not be a bad idea to speak with a recruiter about ROTC while you're attending for your degree. Kill several birds with one stone and give you a longer time to get acclimated to military service, just in case there is a future problem.