Can you back out of the Army after swearing in?

If you change your mind about joining the military, you can request to be released from the delayed enlistment process—no matter what your recruiter tells you. Most enlistments into the military are through the delayed enlistment process (DEP). The DEP is a legal, binding contract.

Can you back out of the military after you swear in?

If you went through all the motions of signing up for a military service only to decide it is not right for you and you have NOT been to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and have NOT taken an Oath of Enlistment, you are free to quit the process at any time.

Can you back out of the Army before basic training?

Unfortunately, there is no one easy way to get out of the military before your service is complete. Once sworn in at basic training, getting discharged once you are on active duty before your active duty commitment is up is no easy task. Joining the military is not like accepting any other job.

How can I get out of an Army contract?

Can you change your mind at MEPS?

Just because you arrive at MEPS does not mean you are fully committed with no chance of deciding not to commit after all. It is considered professional courtesy to inform a recruiter as early as you possibly can to let them know you are changing your mind.

What happens if you swear into the military and don't go?

If you choose to remain in the DEP, you will show up on your assigned date at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), at which time you will be discharged from the Reserves and you will sign a new contract to re-enlist in the active branch of the military you have chosen.

Can you quit during basic training?

After you arrive at boot camp, your fate still isn't sealed. Even though you're now on active duty, Army command can let you go without penalty during your first 180 days of service. The official term for this is entry-level separation. Boot camp is the best time because the Army has just started training you.

What's the easiest way to get out of the Army?

Joining the U.S. Army typically requires a two- to six-year active duty commitment, the U.S. Army notes. The simplest way to get a discharge is to put in your time, receive an honorable discharge and walk away. It's also possible to leave the Army earlier if you fail to meet its military standards in some fashion.

Can you just quit the military?

Getting a Military Discharge

There is no way to simply quit the military once you are on active duty. You are contractually, and perhaps morally, obligated to see your commitment through. However, you could be discharged from duty early if you are physically or psychologically unable to perform your duties.

Can you buy yourself out of the Army?

Discharge by purchase, colloquially called buying oneself out of service, is the obtaining of a military discharge by payment. The purchase price is in effect a fine for leaving military service earlier than the date contracted for when enlisting.

What happens if you refuse to train in the Army?

Usually the punishment is reduction in rank, extra duty, loss of pay and/or some combination of these items.

Can you leave the Army at any time?

You can't just quit the Army once you are on active duty. You are contractually obligated to remain in service for the period to which you committed. But soldiers are discharged from duty early due to physical or psychological inability to perform duties, for drug abuse, misconduct, and other infractions.

What happens if you refuse to join the Army?

If you are required to register and you do not, you will not be eligible for state-based student aid in many states, federal job training, or a federal job. You may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years.

Can you get a dishonorable discharge for lying at MEPS?

If fraudulent enlistment charges don't lead to felony charges, you will still receive a discharge that falls under administrative, other than honorable, or dishonorable, for lying to the military.

How long after swearing in do you leave for basic?

Terms of Enlistment

Once you have completed all of the testing requirements, have determined your career path and have taken the oath of enlistment, you are ready for basic training. You report for 10 week basic training, either directly or within a year.

What happens after you swear into the Army?

When you raise your right hand and repeat the Oath of Enlistment you become a full-fledged member of the U.S. Military. The Oath is led by a commissioned officer and always performed in front of an American flag. During the Oath, every service member vows to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

What is the shortest military contract?

The Short Answer: Two Years With a Catch

Two years is the shortest amount of time a new enlistee can sign up for active duty, however, there is a catch. You actually have an eight-year commitment but you can perform this commitment as an active duty member, a Reservist, or Individual Ready Reservist (IRR).

When can you leave the Army without permission?

Desertion is the abandonment of a military duty or post without permission (a pass, liberty or leave) and is done with the intention of not returning. This contrasts with unauthorized absence (UA) or absence without leave (AWOL /ˈeɪwɒl/), which are temporary forms of absence.

Can you quit without notice?

Can you quit a job without notice? For many U.S. employees, the answer is, “Yes.” But that doesn't mean that it's wise to leave in a hurry. Under normal circumstances, it's best to give the standard notice—but there may be no legal reason why you can't quit on the spot.

How do I request voluntary separation from the Army?

Soldiers can request early separation through their chain of command using a DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action). For assistance, soldiers should contact their local career counselor.

How bad is a dishonorable discharge?

A Dishonorable Discharge is reserved for truly reprehensible crimes such as murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, and desertion. Those who receive a Dishonorable Discharge will lose all of their military benefits and are forbidden from owning firearms as civilians.

Can you get kicked out of the army for depression?

Mood Disorders

You're also disqualified if you have bipolar disorder or affective psychoses. For depressive disorders (for example, major depressive disorder), disqualification from the service occurs if a person had outpatient care that lasted for more than 12 months or any inpatient care.

How many people quit during basic training?

The Navy, Army, and Marines have recruits drop out at roughly the same rate as each other, between 11 and 14 percent annually. Contrary to what many think, the goal of officers in basic training isn't just to push recruits to drop out.

What happens if you fail basic training?

If a recruit has been recycled and still cannot pass the assessment, then they will be given an Entry-Level Separation (ELS). An ELS is given at the leadership's discretion. Processing an ELS can take weeks or months, and those awaiting processing are usually given some form of manual labor to pass the time.

What happens if you go AWOL in basic training?

If they're absent from their place of duty for over three days but less than 30, they can be confined for six months, reduced to the lowest enlisted grade, and lose two thirds of their pay for up to six months. The punishments for desertion are more severe.