There are many reasons people want to rejoin the military after they are discharged. Some miss the camaraderie and benefits of the work they did with their brothers in arms, while others may want to re-enlist because of the financial and insurance benefits.
No matter the reason, it can be harder than most people think. You cannot simply fill out an application as you did before and expect to start where you left off (in most cases). You may even have to go back into basic training.
Here is what to expect if you want to re-enlist in the military.
Re-entry (RE) Codes
Re-entry or reenlistment codes, play a huge part in whether you are eligible to get back into the military. For the Army, if you have a re-entry code of RE-1 (or any of the variants), you can rejoin the military without any special conditions, whereas you may be ineligible with an RE-2 unless you meet certain qualifications first. An RE-3 code means you require a waiver dependent on the separation code given to you (we will get to that soon) when you were discharged.
The RE code is a big factor in how much trouble you will have getting back in and whether you can qualify for prior service. Sometimes an RE-2 condition may require you to go through basic training again, lose weight or retake the ASVAB test and score higher than your previous results. This also depends on what branch of service you want to get into.
Separation Codes Matter
The separation code is a list that tells your recruiter what they will have to prove to get you back into the military. A separation code will often affect whether or not your recruiter will pursue your case.
These separation codes go hand in hand with your RE code to determine your eligibility, as well as how easy it will be for you to get a waiver if needed. For example, if you get a JFV separation code (physical condition, not a disability interfering with the performance of duty), with an RE-3 re-entry code, you will need a general surgeon’s waiver and, more than likely, you will have to see a slew of specialists to ensure your condition is fixed and will not pose a problem for you in terms of your job function.
The downside to this is that many recruiters will not want to do the intense paperwork involved in getting you back in when it is much easier to take on recruits. Some specialize in getting soldiers back in and will jump through any hoops, and those are the recruiters you want. If your current recruiter is giving you the runaround, try finding another recruiter or even join a different branch of service, if possible.
What Is Required to Re-enlist (Aside from RE Codes)
Besides the re-entry code, your type of discharge (honorable, other than honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable) will also greatly impact whether you will be able to get back in. There are special prior service placements that you will need to consider as well, as it also depends on whether the branch of service you are trying to join has a position to fill that you can go into.
For example, in recent years (from 2011-2018), the positions the Army primarily has to fill are in special forces, which is an exceptional job. Requirements are extremely tough for this branch, and if you were in a previous branch of the military or a different MOS (military occupation specialty), then you will probably have to do basic training again and complete special forces training. If you do not have to do basic training, you will still have to endure their special forces training course. Other branches of service may have different jobs available, but many are similar to this.
There are also age requirements when it comes to prior service, just like there are for recruit enlistments, even though the age for prior service is often higher than joining the military for the first time. The age limits for prior service to join (and all other recruits) is as follows:
- Army: 35
- Navy: 35
- Marines: 35
- Air Force: 39
What About Basic Training?
When you want to re-enlist, to get prior service, you must have a minimum of six months of post-basic-training experience. If you were still in advanced individual training (AIT) or active duty for training (ADT), you may have to go back to basic training even if you do have 180 days in the military. The branch you are entering can also determine whether or not you will do basic training again. Many military branches also consider the time you have spent away from service as a factor.
With the Marines, you will likely have to go through boot camp again, especially if you are transferring from another branch. In the Army, other branch members (except for the Marine Corps) will have to attend a special course. Marines only have to do the course if they have spent more than three years out of service. The Navy requires basic training on a case-by-case basis, and most soldiers with prior service who are joining the Air Force will attend a familiarization course, although some will have to go through basic training again anyway.
The Coast Guard is a special case in which someone from a non-Coast Guard branch who has served two or more years of active-duty service will only have to go to a 30-day basic camp, while anyone else with less than two years will have to do the full training course.
Who Cannot Re-enlist?
As mentioned above, there are special exceptions when you receive an honorable discharge from a military service branch. If you fall under one of the categories below, there is a good chance you will not get back into the military. Keep in mind, whether these conditions occurred while you were in service the first time or after you got out, they may still disqualify you:
- Mental conditions – PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression
- Any discharge other than those labeled “honorable”
- Gastric or congenital conditions
- Severe dental problems (and braces)
- Bad hearing or ear problems
- Diabetes (even gout)
- Limitations of motion in hands, knees, arms and legs
- Heart conditions that may pose a threat to your health
- Severe vision loss
- Kidney or urethral problems
- Height issues (being too short or too tall)
- Weight and body-build issues (body mass can be a problem, especially body-fat percentage)
- Severe medical lung conditions
- Severe allergies
- Spinal problems
This list could go on, but these are some common conditions that may hinder your re-enlistment.
Be Squared Away
If you want to re-enlist, ensure all your paperwork is in order. Talk to a recruiter, make sure you can perform the available jobs and be sure that you will not require too much paperwork or waiver bending, and you should be fine.
Justin Williams is a certified Microsoft specialist and U.S. Army veteran. Serving in 2008, he was a multichannel transmission systems operator with the 15th Signal Brigade. After an honorable discharge, he struggled to get access to military benefits for service-related injuries. Justin has committed to helping other veterans navigate the system and get the most out of their hard-earned veteran status.
