Trying to Enlist in ANG after leaving USAFA

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CVanCamp

5-Year Member
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Apr 10, 2014
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I have recently out processed from the United States Air Force Academy after completing Basic Training and one semester of classes. I am now looking to enlist in the Air National Guard, but they are telling me that I am not eligible because I have the RE code 4L on my DD 214.

Type of seperation: Discharge Character of Service: Honorable
Seperation Code: JFF (Secretarial Authority) Reentry Code: 4L (Seperated Commissioning Program)

I am not sure why as I have a honorable discharge and never had any conduct violations/health issues or anything of the sort during my time at USAFA. Does anyone know why I might have received this code and if I can still enlist?
 
I spent my entire AF career in Personnel but as you can tell by my User ID, I retired a long, long time ago so what I tell you could be outdated. Discharge characterization has no bearing on reenlistment eligibility. My guess is that you are 4L because the AF is in the process of jettisoning active duty members through RIFs, SERBs, TERA, etc., who also served honorably and there just isn’t any room at the inn for you or any other member who didn’t complete the program they signed up for. I believe that you can make an application to change the RE code through the BCMR process. See the attached link.

http://www.afpc.af.mil/afveteraninformation/airforceboardforcorrectionofmilitaryrecords/
 
DS out processed USAFA a little more than a year ago(was only there for 7 months). His separation code was JFF and reentry code 4L. I don't pretend to know what it means. He did however enlist in the Active Duty AF (DEP)about 11 months ago and is due to leave for BMT later this month. It did take the local MEPS about a week to figure out how he was enlisting prior/non-prior. The finally decided he was non-prior and I can't honestly say how that determination was made either. I would ask your recruiter again or get with his flight chief, they may have more information. If you have to contact MEPS directly. From what I am seeing there is no reason by the coding to keep you from enlisting.
 
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kdc246 said:
DS out processed USAFA a little more than a year ago(was only there for 7 months). His separation code was JFF and reentry code 4L. I don't pretend to know what it means. He did however enlist in the Active Duty AF (DEP)about 11 months ago and is due to leave for BMT later this month. It did take the local MEPS about a week to figure out how he was enlisting prior/non-prior. The finally decided he was non-prior and I can't honestly say how that determination was made either. I would ask your recruiter again or get with his flight chief, they may have more information. If you have to contact MEPS directly. From what I am seeing there is no reason by the coding to keep you from enlisting.
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Your son’s entry into DEP 11 months ago was before the AF announced that they were cutting another 25k Airmen for FY15. I wonder if CVanCamp is being affected by that. Maybe he will come back here and let us know how he fares. Good luck to him.
 
Talked to my recruiter today and was told that unless I contact the DoD and get them to change my code I will not be allowed to enlist. Gonna try to go that way but if any of you guys know any other way I can get this done it would be greatly appreciated. I love serving my country as a member of the military and not being allowed to enlist would just be a slap in the face. Im not sure what I would do
 
Did they give you an acceptable code for reentry? DS did not get his guaranteed job until 6 months ago-he is going Spec Ops. Maybe because he DEP'd 11-12 months ago, he beat the draw down. However, I do know from this side that 600+ Airman are inprocessing BMT every week. Though, it doesn't take much to let recruits go for failing to meet standards or failing tech school. I would seek a recruiter for AD and see what the answer is. It may be a difference in the Air Guard. You could also try the AF Reserve. Explore all options, or possibly a different service if you want to join the military as badly as you say you do.
 
Any RE code beginning with a “4” automatically bars a separating member from reentry. The code is waiverable as evidenced by KDC246’s son and in my day, the waiver authority for active duty accessions was the Recruiting Service commander at Randolph. I don’t have any idea who the waiver authority is for the ANG but it sounds like the ANG is not requesting waivers which is why they are telling you to get the RE code changed through the BCMR process. You don’t need to worry about what RE code to change it to. If the Board approves your request, they will figure that out for you.

The ANG and Reserve are making a big push through the Palace Chase program to capture a lot of active duty separatees as a result of the current force structure changes and there are plenty to choose from. As KDC246 said, the AF is accessing hundreds of kids each week into BMT just as AFA announced a new class for 2018. The current downsizing doesn’t mean the AF doesn’t need to continue to build a future AF. As with anything in life, timing is everything and this appears to be the wrong time for you to join the ANG unless you get that RE changed. Good luck.
 
CVanCamp said:
I have recently out processed from the United States Air Force Academy after completing Basic Training and one semester of classes. I am now looking to enlist in the Air National Guard, but they are telling me that I am not eligible because I have the RE code 4L on my DD 214.

Type of seperation: Discharge Character of Service: Honorable
Seperation Code: JFF (Secretarial Authority) Reentry Code: 4L (Seperated Commissioning Program)

I am not sure why as I have a honorable discharge and never had any conduct violations/health issues or anything of the sort during my time at USAFA. Does anyone know why I might have received this code and if I can still enlist?
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I know this thread is very old, but I am currently having the exact same problem. I attended USAFA from 2004-2005 and out-processed with an Honorable Discharge under secretarial authority. I recently applied to JAG and the selection committee called me back and told me that I cannot ascend because the 4L RE code on my DD 214 prohibits me from entering OTS. I now have to apply for a records change with a BCMR. Did you end up completing this process? Is there any more information you could provide me with?
 
It is likely those posters will have long since moved on.

Each case is different, and the needs of the Service will always govern accession policy and current waiver policy, which can vary from year to year.

Generally, an RE-4 code means ineligible to re-enlist in any service and requires a waiver. The Air Force RE-4L code means “separated from a commissioning source.”

It may also make a difference as to whether you were given an Honorable Discharge or a General Discharge under Honorable Conditions. They are not the same.

There is also a three-digit (sometimes only 2, or numeric on older records) code on your DD-214, Box 26, which provides further information about the separation.

Follow the process to formally request the Board to re-characterize your reelistment status. They will consider the facts of your case on its merits, current policy and past precedent. This may take some time.
 
One way to look at it...You took the time to apply to the AFA, get nominated, attend...and then say "no, not for me". This is valid.
But the military may say "how do we know s/he means it this time" if you want to join again?
 
caitiepies said:
I know this thread is very old, but I am currently having the exact same problem. I attended USAFA from 2004-2005 and out-processed with an Honorable Discharge under secretarial authority. I recently applied to JAG and the selection committee called me back and told me that I cannot ascend because the 4L RE code on my DD 214 prohibits me from entering OTS. I now have to apply for a records change with a BCMR. Did you end up completing this process? Is there any more information you could provide me with?
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An additional note. If you get stuck, there is a well-regarded non-profit that provides pro bono legal assistance, including the area of upgrading of discharges. I don’t whether they would help on your case, but it’s a resource to explore if needed.

Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program

www.vetsprobono.org www.vetsprobono.org
 
bopper said:
One way to look at it...You took the time to apply to the AFA, get nominated, attend...and then say "no, not for me". This is valid.
But the military may say "how do we know s/he means it this time" if you want to join again?
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Yea sure, of course. But shouldn't that be for JAG to determine? Why should I be blanket ineligible based on a decision I made 15 years ago when I was 18 years old?
 
caitiepies said:
Yea sure, of course. But shouldn't that be for JAG to determine? Why should I be blanket ineligible based on a decision I made 15 years ago when I was 18 years old?
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For sure! And like CaptMJ said, www.vetsprobono.org will help sort it out. It's a process, but you should be ok, depending on the needs of the service.
 
As @Capt MJ outlined, that RE4 re-enlistment code is going to be trouble. If you want to attend an accession program, you will need a waiver because of the RE-4 Code. If you are a licensed, practicing attorney, try the "Direct Commission Lawyer" route. I do not believe it requires any type of OCS/OTS school but rather you are commissioned as a JAG only, and cannot attain command or "operational" billets. You come in as an 0-2 or O-3, and then go directly to JAG school for whatever time your branch's is. Upon graduation of JAG School you go directly to a JAG Office and start as a staff attorney. I know this works for the CG, not so sure about the other branches, but I understand that 70% or better of the JAG's are Direct Commission and not Academy/OCS/OTS. If they can get you without having to pay for your school they will waive a lot of issues...:)
 
Impulsive said:
As @Capt MJ outlined, that RE4 re-enlistment code is going to be trouble. If you want to attend an accession program, you will need a waiver because of the RE-4 Code. If you are a licensed, practicing attorney, try the "Direct Commission Lawyer" route. I do not believe it requires any type of OCS/OTS school but rather you are commissioned as a JAG only, and cannot attain command or "operational" billets. You come in as an 0-2 or O-3, and then go directly to JAG school for whatever time your branch's is. Upon graduation of JAG School you go directly to a JAG Office and start as a staff attorney. I know this works for the CG, not so sure about the other branches, but I understand that 70% or better of the JAG's are Direct Commission and not Academy/OCS/OTS. If they can get you without having to pay for your school they will waive a lot of issues...:)
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Unfortunately, most of this is not correct. Believe me I have looked into this. I have spoken to multiple attorneys. I cannot get a waiver. My only option is a BCMR. I did apply for DAP (Direct Appointment Program) and it does require OTS, which is the problem. Believe me paying for school is not the problem, I have $300K in student debt from law school to show for it.
 
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