My son has joined the Navy and leaves for basics October10. He signed up for 8 years (he got a bonus if he signed for an extra year) he has to do either 4 or 6 years active I forget which one it is. But now he has told me he wants to change to Navy Reserves instead of, I guess it's just full time Navy, but when he signed his name on the dotted line it was for active duty. My question is can he change now to Navy Reserves? He wants to do this because he got a girlfriend,and he says they are getting serious. I'm about ready to choke him!!!!
2006-09-26 23:34:47 · 10 answers · asked by tracy211968 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
He has already swore in, he done that last October. He was in the early entrance program, so he can't back now!
2006-09-26 23:56:55 · update #1
I want him to go in now and in active duty. He has to learn that he is the one that made this contract and he is going to live up to it, instead of trying to get out of it because of some girl!!!!
2006-09-27 00:00:34 · update #2
He is up the river without a paddle I'm afraid to say. I don't know why he would sign up for 8 years in the first place, the minimum enlistment is two years. I signed up for the Army for just the two years and i found out that it wasn't for me. On top of the active duty years he has, they often include a reserve clause so that even after you have been out of the military for some time they have the right to call you back to active status in the event that they need you again. 8 years is a lot to commit to not knowing if it is going to be a good fit for him. The contract is a legal contract that has him locked in to active duty, so he is stuck. You should call his recruiter and see what if anything he might be able to do for him, He may ask to go into the d.e.p (delayed entry program) this gives you some time before they send you to boot camp, this could give him some valuable time (months) before he will have to report for basic.
2006-09-26 23:55:08 · answer #1 · answered by sincity usa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he may lose out on a LOT of benefits if he tries to go Reserves instead of Active Duty. His contract will be null and void if he backs out of DEP. Meaning: he could lose his ship date, lose his rating, lose any bonuses he gets and may not be able totake advantage of the GI BIll.
if it's going to work out, the girl will still be waiting for himafter he gets done with Boot Camp and A school. If it isn't, then far better to figure that out sooner rather than later.
as a Navy Spouse myself.. giving up this just because of some girl is stupid,and he will probably regret it ten years down the line.
2006-09-27 12:13:01 · answer #2 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he may have sworn in at the MEPS station which put him in the delayed entry program or DEP. he could probably weasel out of it but i'm sure the girl won't be around by the time it would take for him to finish boot camp. he will be required to swear in again before traveling to Great Lakes for boot camp. the bonus thing is harder to decipher, because that doesn't usually happen unless he has a specific rate or job. the eight year thing everyone does it they just don't realize it. he's probably in for 5 years active and an additional 3 years of inactive reserves. which means nothing unless the draft is reinstated.
2006-09-27 09:08:38 · answer #3 · answered by thomas u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably a good decision on his part. navy guys shoot but rarely get shot back at. Valuable skills are learned, and he will qualify for good benefits and the opportunity to obtain a good education. It will depend upon the Navy's needs as to whether or not he can transfer to reserves. In today's economy there were a lot worse decisions he could make.
2006-09-27 07:14:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He can request a change to the reserves after boot camp and his A-school. However I can pretty much guarantee the navies answer your stuck for 4 years then you can go into the reserves . that's just the way it is.
2006-09-27 14:29:13 · answer #5 · answered by brian L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did he recieve the signup bonus already. if he has he has to go or owe the navy alot of money back. he needs to talk with his detsiler or at least a recruiter. he probably cany get out and if he tries to for some girl they will make his life even harder. if she loves him and he loves her as they claim she can wait for him t ogo through boot camp. if not he will meet others at his first command. tell him to not to date anyone in the service. it will cause more trouble than its worth. if she doesnt wait for him. date civilian, it would be 6 years and a bonus for doing 2 more. the navy rarly sends active duty members to the reserves to finish. he needs to contact his detailer and talk to them
2006-09-27 11:47:44 · answer #6 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be difficult for your son to survive in the Navy, if he does not change his attitude. The Navy does not put up with much. If your son has done anything (ie, smoked marijuana, minor in possession of alcohol, etc) prior to enlisting, it will eventually be discovered and he will be discharged from the Navy. Tell your son to proceed with caution as it will effect the rest of his life.
2006-09-27 07:43:26 · answer #7 · answered by cc548285 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a reserve recruiter. They might be able to help him. It will be better for him if he just do it. He'll grow up at least. As for the girlfriend, it will be a good test how serious they really are.
2006-09-27 12:06:31 · answer #8 · answered by Rusty Shackleford 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son did this on 9/11/01 when they closed the recruiting station and he was to report to go to basic. (He's in the Army now.) Right up until you raise the hand and swear, you can back out.
2006-09-27 06:50:26 · answer #9 · answered by David B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think there's anything that he can do to change his contract.
2006-09-27 06:44:08 · answer #10 · answered by Jay S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋