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Can You rejoin the military after being discharged?

Can You Rejoin the Military after Being Discharged?

Direct Answer

Yes, it is possible to rejoin the military after being discharged. However, the process is not straightforward, and there are several factors to consider before making a decision.

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Why People Leave the Military

Before diving into the details of rejoining the military, it’s essential to understand why people leave the military in the first place. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), the top reasons for military separation include:

Honorably discharged: 23.4%
Other than honorable discharge: 14.1%
Medical discharge: 12.5%
Administrative separation: 10.3%
Retirement: 9.5%
Discharge due to misconduct: 4.2%

Types of Discharge

When a service member is discharged, they receive a certain type of discharge, which can affect their ability to rejoin the military in the future. The types of discharge include:

Honorable discharge: A service member is honorably discharged if they have completed their service obligation or have been separated due to injury or illness.
General discharge: A service member is given a general discharge if they have completed their service obligation but have not met the standards for an honorable discharge.
Other than honorable discharge: A service member is given an other than honorable discharge if they have committed misconduct or have not met the standards for an honorable discharge.
Bad conduct discharge: A service member is given a bad conduct discharge if they have committed serious misconduct.
Dishonorable discharge: A service member is given a dishonorable discharge if they have committed serious and dishonorable conduct.

Reenlistment Codes

When a service member is discharged, they are assigned a reenlistment code, which indicates the reason for their separation. The reenlistment code can affect their ability to rejoin the military in the future. Here are some common reenlistment codes:

Reenlistment CodeReason for Separation
14Honorable discharge
15General discharge
16Other than honorable discharge
17Bad conduct discharge
18Dishonorable discharge

How to Rejoin the Military after Being Discharged

If a service member wants to rejoin the military after being discharged, they must meet certain eligibility requirements and undergo a process that includes:

Obtaining a waiver: The service member must obtain a waiver from the reenlistment code and any other issues that may have caused their previous discharge.
Meeting physical and mental fitness standards: The service member must meet the physical and mental fitness standards for their desired military job.
Passing a background check: The service member must pass a background check to ensure they are not a security risk.
Completing additional training: The service member may need to complete additional training or education to meet the requirements for their desired military job.

Waivers and Exceptions

The military has a waiver process for service members who want to rejoin the military after being discharged. The waiver process considers various factors, including:

Length of time since discharge: The longer the time since discharge, the more likely the waiver will be approved.
Reason for previous discharge: If the service member was discharged due to misconduct, it may be more difficult to obtain a waiver.
Nature of the offense: The nature of the offense and the severity of the punishment can affect the likelihood of a waiver being approved.

Conclusion

Rejoining the military after being discharged is possible, but it requires meeting certain eligibility requirements and undergoing a process that includes obtaining a waiver, meeting physical and mental fitness standards, passing a background check, and completing additional training. The waiver process is complex and considers various factors, including the length of time since discharge, reason for previous discharge, and nature of the offense. Ultimately, the decision to rejoin the military after being discharged should be carefully considered and weighed against the potential benefits and challenges.

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