RE codes, short for reenlistment eligibility or reentry eligibility codes, are alphanumeric codes that indicate eligibility to reenlist after military separation. Each code reflects the circumstances of the discharge and whether any conditions -- medical, administrative or disciplinary -- affect future service.
What is a Military Reenlistment Code?
RE codes are a 1-4 system used by the U.S. military to indicate whether a service member is eligible to re-enlist after separation. They are assigned at discharge and appear on the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) in Block 27.
A separated service member's RE code communicates to recruiters and personnel offices why a person is or is not qualified to rejoin military service.
General RE Codes
RE codes (1--4) on your DD 214 tell if you can re-enlist, and while most of the basics can be similar across branches, the details and subcodes can vary a bit.
- RE Code 1: Eligible for reenlistment. Fully qualified; no restrictions. Can re-enlist in any branch without a waiver. Often indicates honorable discharge and meeting all retention standards.
- RE Code 2: Conditional eligibility. Eligible under certain conditions; may require meeting retention standards or resolving specific issues. Common in the Navy and Marine Corps; rare in the Coast Guard. Army and Air Force do not actively use RE-2.
- RE Code 3: Eligible with waiver. Disqualified from automatic re-enlistment but may re-enlist with a waiver. Typically due to minor issues (e.g., weight standards, medical issues or certain disciplinary actions). Requires case-by-case review by a recruiter.
- RE Code 4: Ineligible for reeenlistment. Permanently disqualified from reenlistment in any branch. Usually due to serious misconduct, unsatisfactory performance or certain medical discharges. Cannot re-enlist unless the code is later upgraded (rare).
Read More: Understanding the Types of Military Discharge
Army Reenlistment Codes
The Army has three types of RE codes: fully qualifying, disqualifying (can be waived) and disqualifying (cannot be waived), according to Army Regulation 601--210.
- RE--1: Qualified for enlistment if all other criteria are met
- RE--3: Ineligible unless a waiver is granted
- RE--4: Ineligible for enlistment
- RE--4R applies to a person who retired for length of service with 15 or more years of AFS
Note: Many older Army RE codes (like RE‑1A, 2C, 3B and 4R) are no longer used under current regulations, but prior service members with certain of these codes may still qualify for enlistment depending on their separation reason and waiver requirements.
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reenlistment Codes
For the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, RE codes also fall into three broad categories -- fully eligible to reenlist, disqualified but potentially waiverable and permanently disqualified, according to the Department of the Navy's Bureau of Naval Personnel.
This mirrors the Army's system, though these branches use RE‑2 for "conditionally eligible" cases and have their own subcodes to explain specific disqualifications.
Navy Reenlistment Codes
- RE-1: Eligible for reenlistment
- RE-R1: Recommended for preferred reenlistment
- RE-1E: Eligible for reenlistment, but not reenlisted due to Career Waypoints (C-WAY) Regulations
- RE-2: Ineligible for reenlistment because of the following status:
- Fleet Reserve
- Retired (except for transfer to TDRL)
- Commissioned officer
- Warrant officer
- RE-3: Eligible for reenlistment except for disqualifying factors. Add letter to indicate status at time of separation:
- RE-3A: Alien (discharged under reference (b), article 1910-127)
- RE-3B: Parenthood, pregnancy or childbirth
- RE-3C: Conscientious objector
- RE-3E: Inducted, enlisted, extended or reenlisted in error
- RE-3F: Failed the physical fitness assessment
- RE-3G: Condition (not physical disability) interfering with performance of duty
- RE-3H: Hardship or dependency
- RE-3J: Failed entry-level drug test, not drug dependent
- RE-3K: Disenrolled from Naval Academy or other officer program
- RE-3M: Ineligible for reenlistment in current rating
- RE-3P: Physical disability (includes discharge and transfer to TDRL)
- RE-3Q: Disqualified for officer candidate training (not physically qualified for appointment as officer in the naval service)
- RE-3R: Not meeting the professional growth criteria (see reference (b), article 1160-030 and article 1910-125)
- RE-3S: Surviving family member
- RE-3U: Minority age
- RE-3X: Non-swimmer
- RE-3Y: Received voluntary separation incentive (VSI)
- RE-3Z: Received special separation benefit (SSB)
- RE-4: Ineligible for reenlistment (other than potential exceptions noted here)
- RE-5: USNR-R released after serving 90 or more days of active duty for training (ADT). Returned to Reserve unit or activity without reenlistment eligibility being determined
- RE-6: Ineligible or denied reenlistment due to high year tenure (HYT)
- RE-7: Completing the initial 2-year active duty obligation under the 2x8 Navy Reserve Program
- RE-8: Temporary medical conditions or unsatisfactory initial performance and conduct (available to recruits assigned to Recruit Training Command for initial training only).
See more details from the Department of the Navy's Bureau of Naval Personnel.
Marine Corps Reenlistment Codes
- R--1, 1A, 2A, 3A and 3U: Eligible for reenlistment
- RE--1B, 1C, 2C, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3H, 3J, 3N, 3O, 3P, 3R, 3S, 3T, 3V and 3W: Ineligible unless a waiver is granted
- RE--2, 2B and 4B: Ineligible for enlistment
For details, see Table 3-4 in Army Regulation 601--210.
Coast Guard Reenlistment Codes
- RE--1: Eligible for reenlistment (includes 1E, 1R, 3J, 3M, 3X, 5, 6 and 7)
- RE-2: Ineligible for reenlistment due to retirement
- RE--3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3K, 3L, 3N, 3P, 3Q, 3R, 3S, 3T, 3U and 3Y: Ineligible unless a waiver is granted
- Other RE--3 codes -- such as 3A, 3B, 3R, 3T, 3U, 3Y and 3Z -- can signify ineligible unless a waiver is granted, but for Reserve Component, fully eligible for enlistment.
- RE--2, 3V and 4: Ineligible for enlistment
Read more about Military Separations on the U.S. Coast Guard website.
Air Force Reenlistment Codes
The Air Force's reenlistment process is tightly integrated with Air Force-specific regulations (like AFI 36-2606), which set precise guidelines on eligibility, waivers and extensions, according to the Air Force's "Reenlistment And Extension Of Enlistment" document.
- RE--1, 1J, 1R, 1T, 2I: Eligible for reenlistment
- RE--1A, 1K, 1M, 1P, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2J, 2K, 2L, 2M, 2N, 2P, 2T, 2U, 2X, 2Y, 3A, 3I, 3J, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3K, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4M and 4N: Ineligible unless a waiver is granted
- RE--2, 2B, 2G, 2H, 2Q, 2R, 2S and 2W: Ineligible for reenlistment
For more detail, refer to "5.12. Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) Codes" on the Air Force website.
Air Force Reenlistment Reason Codes
- 5A: Eligible to reenlist
- 5B: Has been selected, undecided about reenlistment
- 5C: Ineligible, due to poor fitness score
- 5E: Denied reenlistment based on unsatisfactory participation or performance, attitude, military bearing or behavior*(DAF Form 418 required)
- 5F: Non-US Citizen and failed to obtain US citizenship in first enlistment
- 5G: AFR ineligible NCO status denied or vacated
- 5H: Serving in grade E-3 (A1C) or below
- 5I: Under consideration for administrative discharge*
- 5K: Applied for or approved for retirement or within 23 months of mandatory retirement
- 5L: Has been selected, declined reenlistment
- 5M: Undergoing Article 15 action
- 5N: Conscientious objector, or person with religious convictions that would prevent unrestricted assignment
- 5O: Assigned to Inactive Status List Reserve Section
- 5P: Assigned to Nonaffiliated Reserve Section but not eligible to take part for points
- 5Q: Awaiting Air Force Reserve Command Surgeon General (AFRC/SG) consideration of a physical disqualification
- 5R: Preparing for the ecclesiastical ministry in an accredited or recognized theological seminary*
- 5S: Eligible for extension of high year of tenure date (HYTD)
- 5T: Approved for extension of HYTD
- 5U: Not approved for extension of HYTD
- 5V: Not compliant with processing of medical requirements IAW DAFMAN 48-123
- 5YY: United States Air Force Reserve eligible not yet
*️See details in the Air Force's "Reenlistment And Extension Of Enlistment" document
Read more about Air Force Reenlistment Reason Codes on the Air Force website.
Air Force Reserve Reenlistment Codes
The RE codes themselves are the same for Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and Active Duty Air Force. They all come from the same Air Force personnel system and are assigned using the same rules in DAFI 36‑2606, "Reenlistment and Extension of Enlistment in the USAF."
This is the primary Department of the Air Force Instruction outlining RE codes and it explains how these codes apply to regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard enlistments.
Can You Upgrade Your Reenlistment Code?
In many cases, yes, but it depends on the reason your RE code was assigned and the type of discharge you received. If your RE code was tied to administrative reasons or minor issues, there's often a path to appeal. If it was due to serious misconduct or a non-waiverable disqualification, upgrades are much harder.
RE codes cannot be changed simply because you want to reenlist. Army Regulation 601-210 states that an RE code can be changed only if an incorrect code was entered.
"The RE code is determined by the reason for discharge, not the character of discharge," according to the Army Review Boards Agency.
The Discharge Review Board (DRB) reviews discharge characterizations and reasons (such as other than honorable). This can indirectly affect RE codes, since these codes reflect discharge reasons. To go the DRB route, you must file within 15 years of discharge.
Each service has its own Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR). These can review RE codes directly and can correct errors or injustices. There is no time limit, but it's recommended to file within three years of discovery of the issue. Going this route tends to be more comprehensive than the DRB route, because it can address RE codes, discharge reasons and even pay and benefits errors.
You can turn to JAG (Judge Advocate General) assistance for legal advice and assistance during the upgrade process. They may be able to help with gathering evidence, completing forms (such as DD Form 149 for BCMR) and framing your case. Search here for military legal assistance closest to your location.
Read More: Free Military Legal Assistance
Finally, another resource is TAP, or the Transition Assistance Program. While TAP cannot directly change RE codes, they can offer counseling and support that can help veterans understand their options, prepare for appeals and connect with legal or veteran service organizations (VSOs).
What to Do If You Have an RE-3 or RE-4 Code
If you've been told you need a waiver (RE-3) or that you are generally ineligible for reenlistment (RE-4), first, check Your DD‑214 to verify your RE code and the reason for separation. Errors do happen and this is the first thing to confirm.
Next, try to speak to a recruiter. A recruiter can tell you if a waiver is possible for RE‑3 or explain your options if you have an RE‑4. An RE‑3 may require a waiting period, documentation or proof of rehabilitation. However, an RE‑4 almost always requires a correction to the record before reenlistment is possible.
If your RE code is blocking you and you believe it was assigned unfairly or in error, refer to the section above to understand your legal options.
Appeal and Waiver Options
Recruiters are generally the ones who decide if someone meets enlistment requirements and if a waiver might be possible. To find out if you're currently eligible to re-join the armed forces, you should contact your nearest recruiting station -- they're the ones who can start a waiver request.
"Depending on the type of discharge and disqualification, a waiver may not be possible. RE codes are not simply changed to allow enlistment," according to the Army Review Boards Agency.
Recruiters (NCOs) have the authority to figure out during an interview and review whether you qualify and if your case is strong enough for a waiver under current rules. If you have a separation or RE code that needs a waiver, you can't be processed until you've waited 90 days to 24 months after your discharge, depending on the situation. (Details: "Waivers to Enlist")
Legal and Official Avenues for RE Code Upgrades
To seek an upgrade, submit the appropriate form:
- DD Form 293 to seek a change to the character of your discharge
- DD Form 149 if your discharge was more than 15 years ago and you're asking for a correction to your RE code, discharge reason or other record errors, even if your discharge character stays the same
Whatever route you choose, don't forget about the Judge Advocate General (JAG) for free legal help for service members and veterans, especially for navigating DRB and BCMR applications. You can also employ a civilian attorney if your case is extra complicated; or reach out to a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), many of which provide free assistance for preparing upgrade requests.
If your RE code was tied to a medical discharge, you may request a review to update your medical status, which could support an RE code upgrade.
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