Hello, I have a question but first here's some background information ; back in 2000 (before 911) I enlisted in the Airforce right after highschool , I would have to say that was a hastely mistake . I was discharged during basic training, got a RE Code of 2C (involuntary seperation but honorably discharged) the reason for it on my DD214 says "Personality Disorder". I had a relative which worked with an Army recruiter out of my state and he (the recruiter) said I was ineligable for the Airforce but was eligible to enlist in the Army. I'm now graduating from college and want to know if I am eligible to enlist in the Army .

I was also discharged from the Air Force with a RE Code of 2C and a JFX Code narrative of "Personality Disorder". (If you read my file, you know the whole thing was bull****...but hey, whatever.) However, I completed 2.5 years before I was discharged.

I was informed by an Army Reserve recruiter that the only way I could possibly enlist would be to go before a review board and somehow manage to convince them that I was classified as having a personality disorder erronously (which is damn near impossible).

Any recruiters out there? Am I passing along the correct information?

If it is like how you were told , which board would I have to appear before of? The Airforce or Army ? This really sucks because I've always wanted to go back in the military after 911 but wanted to finish college first because I was enrolled when 911 happened. I guess I'll have to go get diagnosed at a psychiatrist so that I can get that as proof that I'm 100% fine mentally and hope that and the fact that I was never prescribed anything is enough proof cause I'm eager to get a piece of those bastards in the sand.

You will need to talk to a recruiter, show him your paper work and ask him what will be required for a waiver. I would suggest, regardless of what the recruiter says, you take a voluntary psych eval from one (or even two) psychiatrists. The fact that you have never received medication will be in your favor.

I have seen people get waivers under worse conditions.

This gives me a little hope yet...

I believe that if you were discharged from the Air Force and want to have an Air Force RE Code and/or Separation Code changed, you would have to go before an Air Force board.

The psych eval I was given at the VA was approximately 500 questions and took me a little over 2 hours to complete. While it cannot be used in and of itself to make a diagnosis, it is a useful tool for a psychiatrist, as certain answers will act as indicators of a possible mental disorder. If, on the other hand, you are like me and the test shows you have no real psychiatric issues, it can work to your advantage if and when you go before a board to argue your case.

I have not yet seen a board. If I were you, I'd spend several months doing all the research you can on how to beat the odds and convince the board. Be sure you have more than one medical opinion on your mental soundness and provide as much documentation as possible to your advantage. I'm currently working on this issue myself. I've tried, to no avail, to get a copy of my complete service record, including medical history, from St. Louis. Beware, they are S L O W.

As a side note, dont even bother going to the AF Enlisted forum. Once they find out you were discharged for a "mental disorder", they will treat you like sh**. Trust me. Even the DEP kids will rail on you for it. I've never felt so crappy in my life.

Do you think I could actually end up just getting a worser code if at all it gets changed? Also , worser still, end up getting into bigger trouble ? Is going before the board the same thing as going to a trial or do I just get a "yes" or "no" on my request to change the RE Code ?


much thanks to the both of you guys

Do NOT attempt to get your RE code changed. This is a last resort, it is a headache and more times than not does not end in your favor.

Your first goal should be finding a recruiter that will be willing to work with you. National Guard recruiters are generally good about it, moreso than RA. Try to get in through the front door first.

Don't worry with an AF board or changing RE codes. The only reason for those would be VA benefits, not Army enlistment. The Army will look at your records, possibly request a psych eval, that they will provide and process a waiver if you are eligable for enlistment. The only way to find out is to go to a recruiter and begin the process for enlistment. My advice to you is find a recruiter that is not at a busy recruiting station, you don't have to use the one closest to your house. Busy recruiters will have no time to work the issue, It took me from 9-11 until April 05 to find a recruiter that helped me get back in the Army and my problems were I was RIF'd (RE 3) before, and I was a little overweight. Don't take the first no you get without proof to back it up. At Fort Knox I ran into a soldier who had joined the NG with a Bad Conduct DC from the AF (RE 4), so don't give up.