madcityscorp
July 3rd, 2006, 05:01 PM
I have been talking w/ a recruiter about joining. I have a DD-214 with RE-3. I know I need to tell the recruiter about the 214, but I think he may tell me I can't enlist. He says I qualify right now, but I have not said anything about the 214. Will this 214 stop me from being able to enlist? And do you think he may not want to work w/ me because I failed to mention the DD-214?
old19D
July 4th, 2006, 01:42 AM
Well ... if he doesn't know that you have a DD-214, does that mean you didn't tell him you are prior service, or you just didn't tell him the conditions of your discharge?
The first thing you need to understand is that your relationship with anyone in the military ... your recruiter, your drill sergeant, your squad leader, your soldiers ... has to be based on integrity and honor. If you can't be honest about who you are, then you can't expect much confidence from those who are in positions to help you.
In many situations, an RE-3 can be overcome with a waiver. It depends on your particular circumstances. Your separation code and the character of discharge, and how long you've been out, are equally important. The only way to find out what can be done is to take your discharge paper to the recruiter and have him evaluate it. Tell him what happened. Tell him everything (because it's already in your file, brother!) that happened.
You might want to start off the conversation by telling him, in your own words, that you have not been competely honest because you are concerned how this information will affect your ability to re-enlist. However, you understand that you need to be upfront, let him see what can be done, and accept the results.
If you can't show that level of personal integrity, then quite frankly, you aren't ready to go back in. :(
Good luck.
Echo
July 26th, 2006, 02:16 AM
Regardless... old19D is right in what he's sayin'... one of the first topics of conversation madcityscorp had with the recruiter should've been regarding the RE3... I know mine was.