Help to enlist with an RE-3 on my DD214?

2014-07-19T11:23:12-04:00

i was put out of the army with an honorable discharge for "medical" because of a hasty false diagnosis of "anxiety"
therefore giving me an RE-3 on my dd214. i have current medical evidence that proves i have no mental issues whatsoever and still cant find a recruiter willing to help me re-enlist in the military

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2014 11:24 AM

2014-07-19T11:24:47-04:00

Military.com has some recruiters to answer questions. I personally think you're stuck - but other may know more.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 6 at 2014 4:52 AM

2014-09-06T04:52:11-04:00

Some might argue, wanting to be in the military in the first place is a mental issue. I know I'm a little crazy. LOL

Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 8:45 AM

2014-09-06T08:45:21-04:00

If you have documents proving you are well, I don't see why you can't find a recruiter to help you out. Maybe they don't want to do the work.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 9:04 AM

2014-09-06T09:04:07-04:00

I'm curious as to what led to this false diagnosis, if you don't mind sharing.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 11:02 AM

2014-09-06T11:02:53-04:00

I know that back when I came in (2009), an RE-3 simply required a waiver (with supporting documentation, medical in your case), and you should be dandy, if things are as you say they are. I'm not sure if that's changed since I joined, after all, things have changed a bit.

Also, you could apply to have your discharge classification reviewed, I believe that would be a DD293, which would give you the ability to request that they change your discharge narrative from medical. There are 2 caveats to that though:

1. I don't know that doing this would effect the RE3 rating
2. I wouldn't hold your breath, because it's not often that this is fruitful, but try your hardest, someone will help you out.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 11:28 AM

2014-09-06T11:28:12-04:00

The harsh reality of the draw down for the military is that they are not looking for personnel who were discharged and looking to come back in. Regardless of how you were diagnosed and the validity of it your paperwork reflects that you were unable to perform. I have had several Soldiers that were discharged because they thought they couldn't make it and usually wound up with a mental health reason because there was no other reason they could use. If you were wrongly discharged then that's a whole other issue but in my experience to get discharged for a mental health issue requires a doctor doing the paperwork saying that you have or had one at that time. Finding a recruiter who is willing to waiver someone who was discharge due to mental health issues is going to be a hard task.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 1:24 PM

2014-09-06T13:24:43-04:00

Get your representative or congressman involved. I had a young man that was able to get his status changed to a RE-1 when I was a recruiter.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 3:11 AM

2014-09-09T03:11:33-04:00

I had an RE-3 on my DD214 as well when I got out in 2002. When I came back in I needed to get a waiver for to re-enlist. If they won't help you start working your way up the chain. Eventually you will get an audience with someone. I would also do some research on your own as well. Educate yourself on what is required for your situation in order to get back in the military. This way you can tell the recruiter what needs to happen and they are less likely to tell you that you might have to do something extraordinary to get back in and you have them right where you want them to be.

Response by SFC Ronald Burris made Sep 9 at 2014 1:38 PM

2014-09-09T13:38:52-04:00

I would check at your closest military installation Adjutant General's office for guidance on how to send a letter to the Correction to Military Records Board so You can get whatever issue needs to be corrected so your RE3 code can be corrected as well. If You can't get assistance from them write Your Congressman and let them know what happened so they help get your RE3 code changed on your DD 214.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Sep 10 at 2014 10:44 AM

2014-09-10T10:44:32-04:00

RE3 does not hinder one to reenlist, if you can show documentation the reason is not valid.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 12:52 PM

2014-09-14T12:52:29-04:00

Do you think you might be put in another scenario where your anxiety or depression will resurface? Do you think it is wise to go down that road again? What service and job are you looking at?

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Sep 17 at 2014 8:24 PM

2014-09-17T20:24:24-04:00

Oh just wait a few more years.. The'll have WWIII going nicely by then and you probably won't have a choice on coming back in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 12:15 AM

2014-11-21T00:15:41-05:00

Regardless of what code you have it is getting more and more difficult to come in as a prior service member. This in combination with the 214 code may make it very difficult currently. Best of luck though.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-03-10T12:03:49-04:00

I have tried it all. I contacted my local Representative & two Senators. Both of those led to dead ends, not for lack of trying. I am finally seeing some success w/ the State's lead recruiter w/ the Air Guard. I had been to MEPS w/ the Army Guard, so I think that helped because it showed that the service(s) were willing to take me back. Unfortunately, between then & now I "aged out" for the Army Guard, but the Air Guard (my preferred choice) will take me until 42.

There are many hoops to jump through, and, unfortunately, w/ cutbacks, it is hard to get back in, even though it may cost less to bring back prior service (no addt'l costs spent on training) as opposed to new recruits - OJT is MUCH cheaper than sending someone to boot & then tech school/AIT.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-08-07T22:23:30-04:00

I had a similar issue years ago, and it was difficult to prove them wrong. I'd say you need to ignore a recruiter and look for a SEL within a nearby unit and get their advice.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 10:34 PM

2015-08-07T22:34:37-04:00

They can't help you they are not able to. I was a recruiter nearly 4 yrs. If you were separated for medically reasons, and anything mental/BH will not be touched with a ten foot pole.

Response by SFC John Birks made Aug 7 at 2015 10:42 PM

2015-08-07T22:42:26-04:00

The RE3 can be waived. You'll need supporting documents, letter of recommendation or endorsement, and lastly a O-3 or higher to approve the waiver. During the "Global War on Terror" it was much easier to get those approved. Nowadays, it might be more difficult.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 11 at 2015 12:20 AM

2015-08-11T00:20:28-04:00

You may need to submit this info to a medical review board

Response by PFC Michael Mcdermott made Aug 27 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-08-27T17:03:43-04:00

Man screw them. They won't let you back in, make them give you your benefits ..... go to school do something that you like.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 10:51 AM

2015-09-15T10:51:26-04:00

There's something that you aren't telling us. I work in Behavioral Health and we don't submit soldier's for an MEB for anxiety... Anxiety is one of the easiest things to treat because most of the time it has to do with caffeine/tobacco use and your diet/sleep patterns. I would be interested in seeing the paperwotk for an MEB based on anxiety. I'm not saying that it isn't possible for an MEB for anxiety, I've just never seen it. Even if you were diagnosed with it while on active duty, you would have gotten treatment for it.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2016 9:27 PM

2016-08-13T21:27:24-04:00

My wife is in the same position right now. She has supporting documentation that shows she does not have Anxiety and that she is fit for duty. The recruiters are giving her a hard time about the waiver, even though the RE-3 states she can reenter with one.

Response by Lance B made Feb 22 at 2017 1:23 PM

2017-02-22T13:23:49-05:00

Hey,
Yes I was "general/medical" discharge from basic in 2004 for anxiety, because I was a giant pussy and I should have never said the word "depressed" to the DS and to the doctors at Ft.Sill. I was just tired and I missed my family as any 18 year old would who has never been away from mom for more than a week. This is 100% the biggest regret in my life . my RE-code is 3 as well . I've tried about 5-6 times the past 8 years to go back. But do to mid guidance and the down sizing of the military it was near impossible. I work in NYC and I have ran million dollar companies and dated terrible women so stress and anxiety I can handle. But now I was told to dees professional psychologist doctors , recommendations ans approval from all. Get everything I can even write to congress etc. also very difficult to find a recruiter that has the knowledge and push to work with you . I'm heading down to NC next week to see a doctor that works for the VA and is willing to help. This is my true passion and I want this bad . With Trump rebuilding the military now is my shot and same for anyone else

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 8:17 PM

2018-01-23T20:17:38-05:00

I put 12 years in national guard never had an awall or rite up. Not even a late for duty my unit got moved to another town and i was put in an engeniring company . left in an office with no books or any way to participate . i asked if i could resign they said yes but they never submited my paper work and cant find it . so now im stuck with a general. Discharge . how can i fight it .

Response by SP5 Joseph Page made May 14 at 2018 10:20 AM

2018-05-14T10:20:19-04:00

Keep looking an RE3 you can enlist just with a waiver

Response by PVT Teranika Foster made May 22 at 2018 1:50 PM

2018-05-22T13:50:40-04:00

I personally know and understand ur battle. I left the military at the age of 19 after being sexually assualted in myown living quarters on Fort Campbell base.i asked to resign because of the hurtful humiliation...they set me up put a mickey in my drink and raped me. while a white guy held me down against my own will and let two black guys rape me while i was kicking and screaming for help.i went awol for two days because of it. my commander in chief gave me a General under Honorable conditions re-3 and promised it would be completely honorable after 3 years. but everytime i tried to re enlist they gave me the run around and said that i needed to change my discharge. I am air assualt ranger ,Quartermaster and 92 Sierra.I could not believe everything i fought for was not even on my side to help me in transitioning back to civilian life.