Is there a "trial period" after people join the Army?

Question

My boyfriend just joined the army back in late-September/early October and is still in his BCT.

I know he's signed all those contracts and everything but after the BCT, can he say that he finds out the whole idea doesn't really fit his idea and quit? In other words, is there a "trial period" at the beginning for people who have just joined?

It's not he's asking to quit but it's not like he likes to be in there and I really can't take it for much longer - all those worrying and restrictions on communication (I don't live in the US) and no freedom on choosing when/where to visit even on his holiday.

I have heard of "dishonorable discharge" and it'll make the person lose all the benefits/rights etc but if my boyfriend ends up relocating somewhere else does it still matter? Would it be as bad as a criminal record for the customs?

**[for those who'd only comment on others' relationships, you can save it because you don't know anything about us.]

I am sorry if my question sounded dumb, but I don't live in USA and I don't know how things work there...I post my question on here because I guess common Americans might be able to tell me the answers - so that i can save the valuable few minutes on the phone with my boyfriend when he finally calls?....

I live in a city where there are NO army/navy/air force. No people join the military, and no people need to fight in wars. We are protected by "another" country and their military station at our place. So that explains why i couldn't figure out how things work over there...

i said "i can't take it anymore" because i have severe depression problem...i've already begged+talked+scared him not to join b4 he took the oath but i don't know how the recruiter did it he finally joined.

i live all the way on the other side of the world in Hong Kong. We've been together for more than two yrs and originally he planned to relocate soon...he's been homeless and his family is all over the place (in US)...he got into a 6m program in the serenity house though right before joining the army - and at the end of the program he's approached by a recruiter and got into the army....i haven't seen him for more than 1 year and a half. And he isn't even allowed to come for Christmas which he planned to - and he told me just last week and now it's impossible for me to fly over there 'cuz all the planes are full. I'm not "whining" and "only think about myself"...i've been supporting him all along and I'm now simply....DRIED OUT. Think before you accuse me of anything :(

**well just a final detail - heard from him today (letter) and he now needs glasses because his eye doctor just told him his left eye is losing its sight and might be blind by the time he turns 25 :( hope he'll be alright >.< but anyways thank all for your answers!!

Answer 1

you can't just say you want out, he signed a contract for a grand total of eight years, and he needs to honor thta contract. He made his choice.. now you have to decide if you are strong enough to be a military significant other.. made doubly difficult becuase you are not a US citizen.

it is NOT the easist life in the world, and many people cannot hack being 'married' to the military. there is no shame in admitting that you are not strong enough to deal with the unique pressures and difficulties of military life.

But no, he can't just up and decide he wants out. so now you have a decison to make.. continue to do the LD thing, and realize that it could easily be a nother year or more before he will be bale to see you, or end it now and move on with your life.

Answer 2

Look, Basic Training is a very focused and intense training. There is little time to think of anything else other than what you are training on at that particular moment.
After this training is complete, a soldier usually is given a few weeks of leave if they desire it. Then, when the soldier is assigned to a permanent duty station, life usually settles into a routine and into a more normal situation for him.
Dishonorable or an Other than Honorable discharge is something that a person would have hanging around his neck for the rest of his life.
Your boyfriend is an adult, presumably, and should therefore take contracts that he enters into seriously.
Besides, he should give it a little time, it might really grow on him, and he might end up liking the military life.
But he'll never know if he gives up and quits after a couple of months.

Answer 3

There is no "trial period"...once you take that oath at reception you are fully committed. However, there are ways to get out if that is really what someone wants. When I was in basic, there were guys who intentionally failed courses, made the most of medical problems, etc, said that they could not take the pressure mentally, kept asking to see the chaplain...that sort of thing. At some point, those people are probably going to be discharged. If you really don't want to be there, the Army doesn't really want you. It may be a General Discharge, but usually not Dishonorable Discharge. However, most guys are pretty embarrased about acting that way. I would be surprised if your boyfriend would go along with that sort of behavior to make you happy.

Answer 4

Well my husband's in the army, and I know that he's said some people got out of BCT because he couldn't handle it. But that's if they are like crying and crazy or something. It takes a lot for the army to let you out. After BCT you're in. I wish he could get out! But the only way would be a dishornorable discharge and that's not good. There's really no way out. He's gotta just do his time. How long is he in for? Well, good luck! It's not too bad after the training. He'll get more free time to talk.

Answer 5

Once he signs the contract that is it. He is in for the long haul. The only way he can get out is if he is medically discharged. Right now he thinks the Army is bad, because he is being yelled at daily and not able to do what he wants, but once he gets out of Basic and AIT, he will be going to work, just like any other job. He will probably be deployed, but that is what happens when you sign up.

Answer 6

Basic Training is the trial period, but your boyfriend cannot opt out without suffering consequences. One might be a dishonorable discharge or a court martial. When you enlist, the branch of service essentially owns you and you have very few rights. Your boyfriend could have credit problems, problems getting employment and numerous other problems.
If your boyfriend developed some serious health problem getting out would be easier.

The whole object of basic training is to toughen him up, to teach him to follow orders without question, and to have him protect our country. Continual relocation goes with the territory--ask any military brat or military wife. Family separation is the norm. The ability to adjust to difficult circumstances is expected and demanded. Even lack of communication is the norm at times. If you were to marry your boyfriend, you would become a military wife and you would learn that your actions affect your husband's promotion points etc.

Are you a citizen of the U.S.? Is your boyfriend a Citizen of the U.S.?

Just because your boyfriend apparently failed to consult a lawyer or failed to read and understand the contracts he signed doesn't release him from his contractual duty. I'd suggest you have him contact JAG to find out his options and if getting out isn't one of them, then toughen up, adjust, and don't re-up!

Answer 7

No... if he doesnt want to be in and quits then it is a general discharge. You dont get a dishonorable unless you have done something illegal while you were in service.
When you leave the military you recieve a form called DD214 if I remember correctly. This form is what you take whenever you get a job and want to show you have military experience. This form states the reason the person was discharged and what type of discharge it is.

His drill sgts will give him plenty of chances to quit, but I dont recommend it.

And to Barkley Hound-- the military is there for more than to teach people to kill and break things. Im PSYOP and its the greatest job... it takes a brave and strong person to join the military.

Answer 8

Nope. He can't just quit. Not only did he sign a contract he also swore an oath to defend and protect his country and its Constitution. A dishonorable discharge will haunt him the rest of his life. The last thing he needs is your self centered whinning. You should be supporting him in his choice instead of trying to make him do something he'll regret for the rest of his life just to satisfy your own petty wants.

Answer 9

He is stuck I'm afraid. There is not a trial period for the Army.

Tell him to make the best of it. While he is in all he has to do is follow orders, be in the right uniform and be where he supposed to be when he is supposed to be there and he will be fine.

Have him take advantage of the benifits:

Free Education, Travel, Pay incentives for overseas duty (not deployment), Medical, MWR, Endless training - You would not believe what he can make his resume look like if he can get as much military training that he can stuff into his initial enlistment.

And much, much more.

The Army is not bad. But once you enlist, you cannot just say "I Quit"

Answer 10

The trial period is eight years. Trust me when I tell you the Army is completely different from basic training and AIT, it will get alot better for him, one of the goals in basic is to break a person down and then to build them back up. Once he is done with the training he will be able to do things he never thought he could do before, the army is just like a regular job when not deployed to a war zone as far as going to work Mon-Fri and off for the weekends.....IT WILL GET BETTER.