What steps should I take to rejoin the military after a Chapter 5-17 for mental health?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 22:30:50 -0400

I was discharged with a Chapter 5-17 and received an RE code 3 the chapter was for mental health there a lot of issues I was dealing with back home but before separation I was cleared from a doctor all this being said what is the next step to re-joining ?

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 16 at 2020 10:40 PM

SFC Jeremy Boyd — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 22:40:00 -0400

You would need to see a local recruiter, bringing your DD214 and the applicable medical documents you have on hand from the doctor clearing you of those issues. Because you have an RE-3, technically you are eligible for waiver consideration, so the recruiter would have to submit a med read for your condition to see if the MEPS doctor will allow you to take the physical again, and then you would have to clear the physical again before the waiver could even be considered or submitted. Quick question, was the discharge for depression? If so, that will be a tough but to crack, if at all. One thing you have to be prepared for is to do a lot of work with your recruiter with no guarantee of a waiver being granted. The decision to allow a waiver for reenlistment due to a medical reason falls under the purview of the USAREC Command Surgeon.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 12:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:11:35 -0400

It is highly unlikely that the military will waive your behavioral health issue due to the possibility of a reoccurrence. It’s unfortunate but that’s usually the case.

Behavioral health issues are a cause for severe concern even if you have been “cleared”. What happens if it comes back? What happens if you become so depressed you consider suicide. Unfortunately these things come into consideration. It’s bigger than you but also what impact you would have on a units readiness you were to exhibit a depressive attitude. How would you impact unit moral?

I wish you the best of luck but will highly recommend not getting your hopes up

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 17 at 2020 8:23 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 20:23:29 -0400

You are probably screwed for re-entry. A RE3 is going to have to have a big waiver, from high up, and there was only a few successes in that type of upgrade.

Response by SGT Bleddyn Wilson made Apr 20 at 2020 1:46 AM

SGT Bleddyn Wilson — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:46:08 -0400

Why.... the military is a hot mess these days