GI Rights Hotline

Military Discharges and Military Counseling

Call 1-877-447-4487

Frequently Asked Questions

After you read this fact sheet, please call the Hotline (877-447-4487) to talk over your options with a counselor.

Am I eligible for the GI Bill for the 21st Century (post-9/11 GI Bill)? How about the Montgomery GI Bill (education) benefits?

To see the criteria for the new GI Bill, which went into effect August 1, 2009, go here.  For information about the Montgomery GI Bill, go here for active duty or here if you are a reservist.


Based on the characterization of service for my discharge, Honorable, General, Other than Honorable, Bad Conduct, or Dishonorable, what benefits am I eligible for?

Click here to see which benefits you are eligible for and what problems can cause you to lose some of them.


How can I get a copy of my discharge papers (DD-214)?

Go to http://archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/.


I've heard that discharges are automatically upgraded six months after you're discharged. Is that true?

Absolutely not. Call the GI Rights Hotline to find out how you may possibly improve your discharge before you get discharged or to upgrade your discharge afterwards (which is usually harder to do).


I've heard that if I go AWOL and wait 30 days, then I can turn myself in and get a quick discharge. Is that true?

It's not easy to say what is true about going AWOL (and UA) in general, because each case depends on a number of factors and the situation keeps changing, but the majority of rumors we have heard are either  not true or they only apply to people in a special category.  To find out what might be true in your case call the GI Rights Hotline (877-447-4487).  Our counselors keep up with the latest information about the consequences of going AWOL (and UA).


Discharges and Benefits

The following government website can help you determine what benefits you may be eligible for  eBenefits.

 

The tables below show the eligibility for benefits based on the type of discharge a member is awarded (source: www.jag.navy.mil/documents/Benefits%20Chart.doc, but applicable generally to all branches of the military). They do not indicate any other criteria (such as years of service) that may also be required for an individual to be eligible for the benefits indicated.

DD
Dishonorable discharge
BCD GCM
Bad conduct discharge awarded at General Court-Martial
BCD SPCM
Bad conduct discharge awarded at Special Court-Martial
OTH
Other than honorable
GEN
General (under honorable conditions)
HON
Honorable discharge
E
Eligible
NE
Not eligible
A
Eligible only if the administering agency determines that, for its purposes, the discharge was not under dishonorable conditions.

VA Benefits

VA Benefits DD BCD GCM BCD SPCM OTH GEN HON
Wartime disability compensation NE NE A A E E
Wartime death compensation NE NE A A E E
Peacetime disability compensation NE NE A A E E
Peacetime death compensation NE NE A A E E
Dependency and indemnity compensation to survivors NE NE A A E E
Education assistance (not GI Bill) NE NE A A E E
Pensions to widows and children NE NE A A E E
Hospital and domiciliary care NE NE A A E E
Medical and dental care NE NE A A E E
Prosthetic appliances NE NE A A E E
Seeing-eye dogs, mechanical and electronic aids NE NE A A E E
Burial benefits (flag, national cemetaries, expenses) NE NE A A E E
Special housing NE NE A A E E
Vocational rehabilitation: Survivor's educational assistance NE NE A A E E
Autos for disabled veterans NE NE A A E E
Inductees reenlistment rights NE NE A A E E

Military Benefits

Military Benefits DD BCD GCM BCD SPCM OTH GEN HON
Mileage NE NE NE NE E E
Payment for accrued leave NE NE NE NE E E
Transportation for dependents and household goods NE NE NE NE E E
Retain and wear uniform home NE NE NE NE E E
Notice to employer of discharge NE NE NE NE E E
Award of medal, crosses, and bars NE NE NE NE E E
Admission to Soldier's/Naval Home NE NE NE NE E E
Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records E E E E E E
Death gratuity NE NE A A E E
Use of wartime title and wearing of uniform NE NE NE NE E E
Discharge Review Board NE NE E E E E
Homestead preference NE NE NE NE E E
Civil Service employment preference NE NE NE NE E E
Credit for retirement benefits NE NE NE NE E E
Naturalization benefits NE NE NE NE E E
Employment as District Court Bailiffs NE NE NE NE E E
D.C. police, fireman, & teacher retirement credit NE NE NE NE E E
Housing for distressed families of veterans NE NE A A E E
Farm loans and farm housing loans NE NE A A E E
Jobs counseling, training, placement NE NE A A E E
Social Security wage credits for WW-II service NE NE A A E E
Preference in purchasing defense housing NE NE A A E E

What Do Different Re-Enlistment Re-Entry Codes Mean?

People sometimes have questions about re-entry re-enlistment codes and the possibility of getting back in.

Enlisted personnel separated from any component of the military are assigned RE codes to indicate their eligibility to reenter military service. Below are different branches listing of what the different codes mean.

 

 


 

REENTRY CODES For Army

Code

 

Applies to Persons

Eligibility for Reenlistment

RE-1

RE-1A

RE-1B

Fully qualified when last separated

Fully qualified.

RE-1C

Separated who do not possess scores of 90 or higher in any three or more aptitude areas of the ASVAB, if tested before1 Oct 80, or scores of 85 or higher, if tested on or after 1 Oct 80.

Fully qualified provided otherwise eligible.

RE-2

RE-2A

RE-2B

RE-2C

Fully qualified when last separated for convenience of the government or pregnancy under AR 635-200.

 

Fully qualified, provided otherwise eligible. Pregnancy discharge requires waiver.

 

RE-3

1. Not qualified for continued Army service, but the disqualification can be waived.

 

2. With “Trainee Discharge Program (TDP) - Overweight” noted in block of DD Form 214.

 

Ineligible for enlistment unless a waiver is granted.

Eligible for USAR enlistment/reentry without waiver.

However, applicant must meet standards of AR 600-9. Two-year waiting period not required for overweight (TDP) if applicant meets AR 600-9 for RA or USAR enlistment.

RE-3A

1. Not possessing scores of 90 or higher in any three or more aptitude test areas of the AQB or ACB. (However, this code is no longer used for this disqualification).

 

2. With more than four years of service for pay who have incurred an additional service requirement after 5 Aug 78.

Fully qualified for enlistment if mentalrequirements can be met. Prior service mental requirements can not be waived.

 

Fully qualified for enlistment in the RA USAR. Ineligible for RA until 93 days after date of separation. Grade determination required by HRC .

RE-3B

Lost time during last period of service.

Waiver required.

RE-3C

Who do not meet the reentry grade and service criteria of AR 601-210.

Waiver required.

RE-4

Separated from last period of service with a nonwaivable disqualification (Includes DA Bar to Reenlistment.)

Ineligible.

RE-4A

Who did not meet basic eligibility citizenship requirement at time of last separation from active duty.

Ineligible for enlistment. However, case may be submitted to HRC for consideration. Citizenship requirements can not be waived.

RE-4R

Enlisted personnel retiring after 20 or more years active Federal service.

Ineligible.

 

For Reenlistment the Navy uses the following chart

ELIGIBLE TO REENLIST
NAVY & USCG RE-1, RE-R1, RE-1E, RE-1J, RE-5, RE-7
AIR FORCE RE-1, 1J, 1M, 1P, 1Q, 1T, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3I, 3K, 6B, RE-12, 13, 14
ARMY RE-1, RE-1C, RE-1A, RE-1B, RE-1J, RE-2, RE-2A, RE-2B, RE-2C, RE-3A
MARINE CORPS RE-1, RE-1A, RE-1B, RE-1C, RE-1J, RE-2A
INELIGIBLE TO REENLIST WITHOUT A COMNAVCRUITCOM WAIVER
NAVY & USCG RE-2*, RE-3, RE-3B, RE-3E, RE-3F, RE-3G, RE-3H, RE-3J, RE-3K, RE-3M, RE-3P, RE-3Q, RE-3R, RE-3S, RE-3U, RE-3X, RE-3Y, RE-3Z, RE-6, RE-8
AIR FORCE RE-1A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H,4I, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4M, 4N
ARMY RE-3, RE-3B
MARINE CORPS RE-3B, RE-3C, RE-3D, RE-3E, RE-3F, RE-3G, RE-3H, RE-3J, RE-3M, RE-3N, RE-3P, RE-3R, RE-3S, RE-3U, RE-3W
INELIGIBLE TO REENLIST WAIVERS NOT AUTHORIZED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
NAVY & USCG RE-2, RE-3A, RE-3C, RE-4 (Note 1)
AIR FORCE RE-2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2I, 2J, 2K, 2L, 2M, 2N, 2P, 2Q, 2R, 2S, 2T, 2U, 2V, 2W, 2X, 3S, 3V RE-4(Note 1)
ARMY RE-3C, RE-4(Note 1), RE-4A, RE-4R
MARINE CORPS RE-2, RE-2B, RE-2C, RE-3A, RE-3S, RE-4(Note 1), RE-4B
     
 

For the AIR FORCE your RE-Code must be a "1" to be eligible for the AF prior service program

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Reporting Crime Involving Servicemembers

From time to time people contact the GI Rights Hotline wanting to report criminal wrongdoing involving members of the military.  As a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization the GI Rights Hotline is not connected to law enforcement inside or outside of the military. 

Servicemembers and civilians wanting to report crime that occurred outside of a military base can contact local law enforcement from the jurisdiction where the offense happened.  (Sometimes those authorities will also contact the military.  For incidents that occur on base or involving a servicemember acting in an official capacity reports can be made to the military police or  provost marshal of the base or to CID (criminal investigation division).  Contact numbers can typically be found through an internet search. 

Other options for reporting include the DoD IG Hotline 800 442 4551, DoD IG Website fax 703 604 8567. For issues involving the Army the Army CID Website is another option for reporting crime.

Sometimes servicemembers want to discuss how reporting a crime could affect their standing in a unit.  While our counselors are not able to give legal advice, we can sometimes help people review different considerations related to reporting a crime committed by another service member.

GI Rights Hotline Counselors can be reached through our confidential,  toll free number 877-447-4487