Can you re-enlist after a 5-13 discharge (12 years ago)?

2015-05-08T19:15:14-04:00

I need some recruiter expertise here, RP.
Got a vet that was discharged under 5-13...12 years ago. It was a false diagnosis. He is looking to re-enlist. He can provide documentation that the original diagnosis was erroneous.
Thoughts?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-05-08T19:20:02-04:00

If all is verified, why not?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 8 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-05-08T19:30:43-04:00

Do they still meet the age requirements for prior service?

Even with a changed RE Code, they may be too old to get back in the Army.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 2:43 AM

2015-05-09T02:43:14-04:00

As some have stated the RE code will dictate a lot. Then National Guard is usually more willing to work with someone in this situation. Active duty wouldn't touch it. But if you have a RE code of 4 it is pretty much a no-go.

This being a personality disorder discharge I am pretty much going to say that it may be a lost cause, even for the guard. The Army doesn't want to even mess with anything like this. If you recall Bergdahl was discharged from the Coast Guard for this most likely. The Army let him in and we all know how that turned out.

If I were the officer at MEPs I wouldn't touch it. There are more than enough people trying to join with no issues. Something had to trigger the discharge. A personality disorder is something that really isn't something that you kick someone out for on accident. Even if they have a new assessment you are going up against what a military Doc said. There is a lot of risk of letting someone in even if they have a false or bad assessment. It is just a difficult time for anyone to get in if you are not near the perfect candidate.

"Chapter 5-13 (Personality Disorder). If a physician trained in psychiatry or a licensed
clinical psychologist notifies the commander that the Soldier has a deeply ingrained personality disorder and this disorder is so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired, then the commander may initiate a Chapter 5-13 separation action."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 10:08 AM

2015-05-09T10:08:49-04:00

At this point though active duty is not taking prior service the National Guard is trying to increase numbers here in Oklahoma some of the requirements have been set aside to allow us to get those numbers. As for the discharge if it can be proven that there was a misdiagnosis im sure they would be able to allow the member back in. Dont be fooled though he will have to jump through several hoops to prove that he is again fit for duty.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-05-09T13:32:35-04:00

Yes one can reenlist after a 5-13 discharge. I'm not sure how it will go with the way the military is today though

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-05-09T17:14:56-04:00

He should be able to. But then again its active duty.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 9 at 2015 5:23 PM

2015-05-09T17:23:01-04:00

It would depend on each state and what their respective numbers are this year. Everything is a crap shoot, if a recruiter is good on numbers, won't touch the headache. Will the MEPS station touch him, maybe, maybe not.

Response by SGT Richard Ellis made May 11 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-05-11T13:11:57-04:00

It all depends on his RE code.
Little known fact is it is more than just a 2 digit code which is on his personal copy of the DD-214.
Pretty much the way things are right now, if it's other than a 1A it will be highly likely that he would even get a second look, even by the Guard.
I wasn't a full time recruiter, But I was NCOIC of my unit recruiting team from 1994-1998.
I'm sure things have even changed since then.

Response by PV2 Robert Bowne made Jul 13 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-07-13T22:23:57-04:00

Depending on what his Renlistment code is it will be a factor if he will need waivers or not. if he has a R 1 then he is good to go but if he has any other such as an R 2 or 3 then he must secure waivers from his state AG or the NGB to be able to renlist

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 8:40 AM

2015-09-09T08:40:12-04:00

I've seen so many veterans want to go back in the service when they left under bad or less than desirable terms. Why is this? If a service member left due to medical/bad conduct/mental...etc....why go back in?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-05-31T13:22:56-04:00

I'm not a current recruiter, but did recruit when the army was desperate for recruits during the war. I had an applicant that had a 5-13 and it required a LTC's approval to get in. After pursuing the waiver for 6 months, it was disapproved. Eligibility changes from FY to FY. Have him take his DD-214 into a recruiter and they'll know.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made May 31 at 2016 5:27 PM

2016-05-31T17:27:35-04:00

Same as has been said by others, depends greatly on the RE and separation type code. For example, mine is 4K KBK, medical disqualification from continued active service and separated upon completion of enlistment contract (or somesuch). When I was looking to apply for a federal position with the Michigan Air National Guard, it required being in the guard. Talked with the recruiter, and with the 4K KBK, I couldn't even go to MEPS looking for waivers.

There was a process I was told about by the recruiter, where I could basically file with a corrections board and attempt to have my RE code changed. That's nearly a year long process, however, and not by any means guaranteed to work out. Even with documentation, they may just say pass. If the vet is serious about trying, though, they can find information here: https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/vso/boards_for_correction_of_military_records.html

NPRC Veterans Service Officer (VSO)- Boards for Correction of Military Records / Discharge...

VSOs - Boards for Correction of Military Records / Discharge Upgrades