When a service member is discharged from the military they also receive a re-entry code. While they will receive a characterization of their service (e.g. Honorable, Other than Honorable, etc.) and a reason for separation from the military (e.g. serious misconduct, retirement, etc.), a reentry code is different. It’s important though to understand that even if a veteran wins a discharge upgrade, his or her reentry code does not change.
Re-entry Codes Do Not Change Based on Discharge Upgrades
For instance, imagine a servicemember receives an other than honorable discharge and is separated for serious misconduct. After a while, he or she applies for a discharge upgrade and wins it. Now he or she is looking to rejoin the military. However, just because he or she received a discharge upgrade, it doesn’t change his or her reentry code. The servicemember may still be denied the opportunity to rejoin due to their reentry code, which is almost always linked to the reason for separation.
While some reentry codes are waivable, and some allow for re-entry into the military, other reentry codes prevent reenlistment altogether. Whether or not a reentry code can be waived is often determined by the current needs of the military.
Requesting a Change to Narrative Reason for Separation
Should a veteran learn that their re-entry code prohibits them from reenlisting in the military, it’s important that they apply to the proper board and state their request to change their narrative reason for separation and reentry code. To have this changed, the veteran must convince the board that he or she should not have been separated for the prior reason. If he or she is able to demonstrate this successfully, his or her narrative reason for separation will change and therefore so, too, will his or her reentry code.
Should a veteran find that they wish to rejoin the military after being separated for a reason other than a normal departure, it’s important to understand how to optimize your chances of doing so. Your best chance is to hire an experienced military attorney who understands military law and has experience with these issues.
The Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC Helps Military Members in Colorado
The U.S. Government has an interest in making decisions as soon as possible, as it does not wish to gain negative publicity about one of its service members. That is why it is so important to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced military attorney as soon as possible.
If you are a military veteran and have received a negative reason for separation and wish to reenlist in the military, the Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC can help. We proudly serve our military members, who sacrifice so much for our country. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
