What RE-4 would mean for a future draft?

SPC Israel Sanders — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 03:07:52 -0400

This is more of a doomsday "what if" question. I'm really not worried about getting reactivated.

For SM that got medically retired (like me) and have a reentry code of 4, what would it take for Uncle Sam to reactive them? I sincerely doubt that there's any circumstance in a volunteer military that would look at the SM they just let go because they were too banged up to do the job anymore (in my case an 80% VA rating) and think "y'know, maybe we were a bit too hasty with our decision. Bring him back in."

I would assume for an RE4 it would have to get about this bad: America, for first time since the war of 1812, would have a war on its own turf. Even then, RE4 SM still wouldn't be the first to get conscripted. That would be the able bodied conscripts. Eventually if the war got bad enough and were willing to take just about anybody to pick up a rifle and fight, then they may be reactivated.

Essentially, would it be fair to say that a RE4 would be reactivated right around the time America's screwed?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2022 7:24 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 07:24:47 -0400

The fat, drunken three tooth hillbilly married to his sister would be taken into the ranks before an RE4 would. Seriously, all the RE4 folks are basically put in a pile/on a list that is labeled "DO NOT CALL."

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Sep 19 at 2022 8:52 AM

Cpl Vic Burk — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 08:52:59 -0400

1) If you are getting 80% they probably would not call you back.
2) I never heard of anyone getting an RE-4 for a medical discharge. Maybe things have changed but anyone I knew that got medically discharged got an RE-3(something). I don't know the code.
I don't think you have anything to be worried about.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 19 at 2022 9:56 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:56:10 -0400

There are millions of people who would get the nod before they even take a look at you. You already did your thing and sitting there with with RE4, 80% and most likely PDRL you wouldn't even be a blip on their radar. They are looking for young healthy folks

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2022 11:38 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:38:52 -0400

In a doomsday situation all bets are off but as long as we are using the systems currently in place no one is looking to bring back medically separated or retired individuals.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 19 at 2022 4:51 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:51:30 -0400

won't be called up till the foe sails up the Potomac!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 19 at 2022 6:40 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 18:40:57 -0400

I'd look forward to that about as much as bringing back McNamara's Morons.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Sep 20 at 2022 2:15 AM

SPC James Neidig — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 02:15:08 -0400

Maybe When The BORG Show Up , Or We Have A Red Dawn Situation, You Could Be Recalled, Until Then Take Care Of Your Health And Stock Up On Ammo, Because You Never Know What The Future May Bring

Response by SPC Gary C. made Sep 20 at 2022 3:08 AM

SPC Gary C. — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 03:08:26 -0400

A couple days after 9-11 happened I was at work and our regional manager came out into the shop while I was working on a car, he pulled me into his office and asked me if I was going to be recalled. I looked at him and told him that I would be when he had dug a fox hole in his front yard and had a range card made out. I'm 70%.

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Sep 20 at 2022 6:52 AM

MSG Greg Kelly — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:52:05 -0400

Hell, man I would kill to come back in any capacity especially during a war. With my training and being instructor qualified I know they could find a spot for me.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Sep 20 at 2022 1:30 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 13:30:02 -0400

It takes an ETP (exception to policy) to enlist as an RE4, so unless you are good buddies with someone with several stars on their uniform or you have some rare skill set that the service requires, you are out of luck.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Sep 21 at 2022 4:24 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 16:24:32 -0400

If shit hits the fan and they start up the draft again, it's time to gtfo of the country honestly.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Sep 22 at 2022 1:15 PM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:15:32 -0400

Maybe a second chance to take better care of your career; maybe an opportunity to understand what it takes to be a member of the American Military.

Response by LTC Paul Rivette made Nov 7 at 2022 10:43 PM

LTC Paul Rivette — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 22:43:06 -0500

I think in a major war that the RE4 would have PREFERENCE in returning to service. Just look at history. Many, many disabled Soldiers, Sailors and Marines continued to serve during WWII. They were not, mind you, in front line or even overseas service. But a large Army has a huge 'tail' back home. Lots of bases that have to be run, equipment to be sorted and shipped out, training ranges, and lots of admin. Wounded combat veterans taught classes from basic training to air-to-air combat tactics. Did you see the movie "Saving Private Ryan"? They included a one-armed officer in the casualty notification office. Thats a movie, but it reflects real life. WWII saw a lot of old and broken guys given something productive to do for the Big Green Machine.

Consider that the we know the FIRST to be recalled will be normally retired Soldiers. Old, out of shape and with a lifetime of medical baggage. They still keep us on top of the list because we can quickly re-assimilate to Military structure and procedures. Not driving tanks or humping 90lb rucksacks, but doing jobs so more of those strong young guys can get to the fight well equipped, trained and supplied.

Response by MAJ Gregory Moon made Nov 8 at 2022 1:14 PM

MAJ Gregory Moon — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 13:14:38 -0500

Entry standards are a notorious moving target as well as reentry. In a national mobilization what they can do is tempered by the cost of using someone. Retirees can be recalled, will they maybe. There were plans to use retirees for plussing up state side bases in support positions to allow for active duty types to be unit cadre. In desert storm a lot of IRR less than two years out were recalled. Reservist Doctors were called up to back fill state side military hospitals. If your disability is such is that you can't physically do a job. No they won't draft or recall you. Look once upon a time you couldn't regain a commission once you were out. I was commissioned enlisted and recommissioned and finally ran out of commissioned service time. So what they can do is tempered by what they need to do.