What happens if you withhold information? ?

Question

I would like to know from a recruiter (mrsjvb too, you seem knowledgeable) I was in the Navy 10 years ago and got out the first two weeks with and RE-4. I went into the National Guard 8 years later and have been in for two years now, have earned my bachelor's degree and have retaken the asvab scoring a 94, all line scores 120 and above. The question is, I have already spoken to the Navy about enlisting with them, and I have spoken with my guard unti and the papers are going through the conditional release process. I haven't told the Navy about my prior RE-4. Will that be an issue since I have a good service record with the Nat Guard? If they don't know about the RE-4 and I enlist and it is found out a year or so down the road, would that be an issue? AND would this info be found in an SSBI check? Only people who KNOW please answer. I'm not here to argue about RE-4 reenlistments and all that (you can't do it stuff, I'm already approved). I wanna know if they find it out later after I'm back in the Navy will it have repercussions?

Answer 1

Honesty is the best policy. Honor, Courage and Commitment are the corps values of the Navy. If you aren't honest about the RE-4 code it will come back and bite you.

You might be able to get a waiver if you show good standing with the Guard. Besides they can pull your previous files and find out. It is not like your old service record wasn't archived and stored somewhere...they will pull it out and dust it off and there it will be.

You could be charged with fraudulent enlistment if you are covering it up. So be honest up front.

It is better to face up to it and deal with it in the beginning. You still have an honest chance of being accepted if you are up front about it.

I'm a Navy Veteran.

Answer 2

As someone else said, your RE-4 shouldn't be a factor since your new DD-214 will have a new RE code as well as (it should have) honorable.

The Navy will find out, but as previously said, since you've been in the Guard you're already in the system and this will make it easier for them to justify taking you back.

You obviously made a mistake in your past, you've taken the steps to correct it so why would you want to put yourself into that position once again? Don't take steps backwards and put your career at risk.

As for the SSBI, part of the clearance process (and they will ask you about previous discharges) is to see how honest you are willing to be. They aren't looking to hem you up on something. If you'll lie, that means you have things to hide and people with things to hide are more vulnerable than those that can be honest about their skeletons.

Good luck.