Is an Re4 discharge code deserved or even legal in this situation?

SN Susan Little — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 07:14:08 -0400

I got out of the military in 1997 and they gave me an honorable discharge with re4 code. At the end of my enlistment, I decided to reenlist, but I wanted to reenlist and get a reenlistment bonus, so I decided to change rates. I had already extended my enlistment 3 times and was due to separate the day my schooling ended. Some how some where someone dropped the ball and didnt make me sign any forms or documents that said upon graduating school, I promised to reenlist. I wanted to reenlist for 4 years but because I had extended 3 times, my years in service were off and it made me eligible for 2 reenlistment bonuses which was not allowed. So during the final weeks of school, the Navy said I had to reenlist for 8 more years to get me out of the timeframe of being eligible for 2 bonuses. I didnt want to reenlist for 8 years. So when it was time for me to do my reenlistment physical, I went in for my seperation physical. I got everything signed off on without any problems and when the day came to graduate and reenlist, I just got out. needless to say everyone from that command and my old command got all riled up over it and they were scrambling to find a way to keep me on medical hold or anything they could do to make my life hell, but I had covered all my bases and I was out. Then I get my papers and I had an RE4 discharge. Is that even legal? I never signed anything saying I would reenlist in the first place so it was their mistake, I just exploited it. Does that earn me an re4?

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 19 at 2018 9:23 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 09:23:40 -0400

Perhaps you shouldn't have pissed them off. If it is anything like the Army, the command was fully within their rights to sign off on a bar to reenlist due to your conduct.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2018 5:01 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 17:01:21 -0400

SN Susan Little I agree with the other responses. You admit to exploiting the system, and the Navy responded by providing you with a RE4 discharge. Why is this an issue 21 years later?

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2018 12:24 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:24:32 -0400

I guess I don’t quite understand. Most times before a service school is offered to someone, the commitment that follows is nearly always discussed. This works like tuition at any college or university. If you plan on receiving the training, NORMALLY, it will be discussed at some point to make sure you’re aware of how you’ll be required to pay for that school. In the ’90, many times the student was briefed without any documentation (Page 7) stating the briefing was complete. In this case, it seems that you were made aware of a service obligation prior to graduation. Since you attended and graduated without the same obligation as your fellow classmates the Navy wanted to make sure you didn’t exploit them again by separating and then re-enlisting a few years later. In short, you stuck the Navy with the tuition bill for that training and delayed another Navy member from attending that school in your place who would of obligated, as required. Can they do it? Hell, yes! What did you think you’re going to get? An Honorable with an RE-1 or RE-2? That’s reserved for “stellar" sailors who don’t exploit the situation. The good news is that the only ones who look at RE codes are military recruiters and federal agencies. If the Navy had assigned a monetary value to this exploitation (cost of your training attendance), they would’ve put it on your credit report and we all know everybody looks at that these days.

Response by SN Susan Little made Jun 20 at 2018 2:28 PM

SN Susan Little — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 14:28:14 -0400

Yes the breifing was completed. I was told I would complete the schooling and be obligated for 4 more years. I fully agreed to those terms. However when the time came, the Navy changed the terms to 8 years and gave me back to back shore duties. Which would make me 24 years old (I was really young when I enlisted. Had to get a waiver to get in after I graduated hs at 16). With 8 years in service and still obligated for 4 more, (I might as well retire)..but that would put me at sea from 24-32 years old. Back to back sea duty. I wanted a family and I didn't want to be gone and never get to see my kids. So I made my decision to part ways when I had the opportunity. I guess exploit was not the right word to use but none the less, had the Navy kept true to their end I would have kept true to mine.

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 29 at 2020 11:22 PM

SFC Jeremy Boyd — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 23:22:29 -0400

SN Susan Little I see I am about 12 months late to the party, but wanted to offer my two cents. You shouldn't worry about the RE Code of 4. The most important thing is the Character of Service, which you said is Honorable, and the three or four character separation code with corresponding Narative Reason for Separation. Provided all of those are good with zero negative connotations, then the RE Code is of no real importance. I myself have an RE Code of 4, rather 4R, because I am retired Army. My Character of Service is Honorable, separation code of RBD, and Narrative stating "Sufficient Service for Retirement." The fact that the RE Code is 4 is immaterial, it merely means I'm not qualified to reenlist. Let your accomplishments during your Navy service do the speaking of volumes for you, not the RE Code. Plenty of veterans receive RE-4 for things they have no reason to feel ashamed of.