Type of Separation?

[Armed One]

I recived an entry level separation from the U.S.Army Military Police Corps in 1995 for misconduct with an RE-3 code would this be considered a dishonorable discharge in the law enforcement field?Separation was for failing an U/A for THC.What's a RE-3 code?
Thank You
Armed One :confused:

[DJOHNSON954]

Armed One,

I would say that this will most likely cause you some problems trying to get into LE. Anything other than an hnorable discharge or a re-entry code of 1 raises a red flag and will be looked into further. The MJ use while in the military will cause you some problems as well. Any time you fill out an application or background packet it will have you list your military service. Then it will have you list any article 15's or any kind of reprimand you received while in the service. You may want to call and speak with a recruiter at a department that you may be interested in befor going through the process and waisting a bunch of your time. Just be honest about it and see what they tell you. Good luck.

[JSavage]

an RE code is not a discharge code, it is a reenlistment code. It means you must be waived back in and only after 2 years from discharge. I suspect you are not being up front with us because, on copy 4 of your DD-214, these things are listed directly next to eachother. On any other copy YOU received, this information will be blacked out. What does your 214 say?

[ToppDog]

Did you get kicked out before your enlistment ran out? Or did you finish your enlistment but got busted in rank prior to your ETS date? It is possible to have an Honorable Discharge & still get a RE-3 code on your DD214, which will still raise questions as DAJOHNSONNC mentioned, but it's still better than getting any discharge other than Honorable along with the RE-3 code. The fact that you were in the military & an MP when you got popped for MJ use will also be a big hurdle to overcome, but nothing is impossible so apply & be honest & see what happens.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[RoscoeRuhl]

An RE code of 3 doesn't preclude reenlistment, it in most cases would require a wavier! The RE code is accompanied by a seperation or SPN code which tells the real story as to the character of discharge. A discharge for misconduct is almost certain to disqualify you from a position with a law enforcement agency! The fact that you were discharged for drug usage is certain to give you the boot. While possession and use of marijuana usually results in a fine or misdemeanor conviction on the outside, I believe the UCMJ (Uniformed Code of Military Justice) makes the same offense punishable by a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and allowances and confinement for no more than 5 years! You're lucky you weren't made an example of! Anyway, it does happen, unfortunately you were someone charged with assisting, protecting and defending and couldn't do it for yourself!

Have a great day!

[Armed One]

Peace Warriors;
Thank You for your replies,my 214 reads uncharacterized discharge is this the same as a dishonorable?My goal is L.E. work,I'm currently an Armed Guard for a local college also have an A.A.S in criminal justice and working on my B.S. in psych.Thank You Again,Peace Warriors.

[MSP]

Don't take this the wrong way Armed One but smoking weed while in the military is about as bone headed as it gets, especially if you had thoughts of being in LE. The BI might look at this the same way. If you did it then, while serving your country, what's to stop you from doing it later on? I was in the Air Force, and I am not sure what your discharge was. It should say on your 214. Good luck though.

[nalex]

Keep your hopes up. I have an uncharacterized discharge from the military with an RE-3 Re-inlistment code on my DD-214's and I almost got into the NYPD. Reason why I never made it was for not keeping up with my appoinments, which placed me on the review board. By the time I was ready to fight it my exam expired.

Now my discharge wasn't for use of drugs or anything that severe but nevertheless you still have some hope. Just be 100%(no exceptions) honest with your B.I. Tell him/her everything.

F.Y.I.--An "uncharacterized discharge is an entry level separation. Meaning you were in your first 180 days of active duty. you do not receive a disharge cert. or character of service. It's not described as a honorable or dishonorable discharge but as an order or release from custody or control of service concerned."--National Personnel Records Center. and as far as the RE-3: that i believe is three years with a wavier before you can rejoin. If you wanted to.

I hope this helped.......Good Luck!

[rvaughn007]

Check out your 214. I have heard somewhere that after six months you can reaply to get a different discharge.

[jspsher]

In regards to your questions about RE codes. It is possible to get an honorable discharge and still get a less than favorable RE code. Check your separation manual for your particular service and it will tell you the requirement of getting back in.

Also, like a gentleman already stated before, on your DD214, it should tell you why you got what you got. It will be under "REASON FOR DISCHARGE."

To be quite candid, it will be very difficult for you to re-enlist or get a LE job. It's difficult as it is for a Marine with a RE-1 and a honorable discharge to re-enlist. It is easier to enlist in another service that it is to do in the service you left.

All law enforcement agencies know what the RE codes are. Your commanding officer, whom is the one who gives you the RE codes will not give you a degragotory RE code without justification. You must of did something.

Jasper

[UN_Cop]

007 hit it right on the head. You can request a board of corrections for military records and ask for a discharge upgrade. It is a long process and you will need a lawyer. As far as the LE position, roll the dice and see what you get. I have told more and one agency that I applied for, "If you want a Saint, then I am not the one". I have been hired by more than I have been denied by. One last idea, join the National Guard, while it will not make the other issue disappear it will begin to enhance your chance. Prove yourself as a good soldier and get the SgtMaj or BC to speak on your behalf. May or may not work but it can not hurt. Remeber Marine: Stay motivated and focus on the task at hand. Take care and be safe.

[TANKMGA8]

As far as the military board of corrections and getting a lawyer, what are you going to correct? You were in less than 180 days and you screwed up and you got an entry level seperation. You were not there long enough to get anything else. Time and some growing up MIGHT help it.

As far as the RE code of 3, you have to be out of the military for 92 days, then can be let back in with a waiver. I was an E-6 with ten years in, and decided that I wanted to be a cop so I was getting out. The Army decided that since I wouldn't re-enlist that they would try to force me to by putting me on orders to Korea three months before my ETS. Somebody thought that I wouldn't sign a declination of continued service statement, I did sign one and I got out. When I was processing out I saw I was getting a RE-3 code. I asked why and it was because I signed the Dec. statement. I checked into the code ans I just had to wait 92 days and I could go back in, but as an E-5. Long story short, I ETSed in Sept, by Nov 15th I was an officer with my current department and I love it. This all took place in 2000, so unless the Regs. have changed it should still be current.

BTW, most departments require 3-5 years since the last MJ usage before they will even think about hiring you. You should ask yourself this, I was in an LE position in the Army and I smoked some MJ, what is going to keep me from taking some off one of my arrests if I get hired? The reason I say this is because that is the reasoning that the department is going to be using.

Just my .02 worth

[Armed One]

Peace Warriors;
Thanx again for all the info. I am currently in the process of trying to enlist in the Army for 3 years to attempt an honorable discharge, my recruiter tells me with my current job,college and state licenses my chances are pretty good for a waiver thinking of going psych.operations specialist.I'll keep you posted again thank you for the good and honest replies.
ARMED ONE

[Armed One]

Gentlemen;
To keep the forum notified the Army recruiter said my waiver would be approved by the N.Y.S recruiting command CO but he Army would choose my M.O.S not me and with a enlistment option of no less than 3 yrs.This is how I pay for not taking advantage of my M.P. school. I put a stop to the process and will try part-time,Aux. or reserve work for a small dept.until my B.S. is done and hopefully I can make it in a Big dept. before I'm 35:o

Thank You Again Peace Warriors
Armed One

[Armed One]

Peace Warriors;
It has been very difficult to pass the B.I. process even with a small dept. in Greenport ,N.Y. 2 Fulltimers and 5 part-timers.I've will continue with the enlistment process with the Army National Guard my recruiter tells me this Hon. discharge will overide my E.L.S separation is this true or is he giving me a snow job. Even with my A.A.S or my B.S. when I finish it's going to be near impossible due to my 1995 separation so I will attempt an Honorable discharge with the 27 Light INF.Brigade.Advise me if I'm taking the right steps because I'm taking a semester off for training.
Thanx
Armed One

[shanaturs]

RE-ENTRY CODE:
ARMY, RE-3
"Individuals who are not qualified for continued Army service, but the disqualification is waiverable. Ineligible for enlistment unless a waiver is granted."


However, what is your Seperation Code? If it's drug use, then it would most likely be: BLF. [Block26]

[CustomsCop]

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