military discharges - explanations?

Question

Just wondering if any guy could clarify this in terms of the US army:

Does the US army give you options to leave basic training if you are not cut out?

What does the phrase 'failure to adapt' actually mean?

Why is a discharge not as fast or not administered as easily as the above? (if indeed this is the case)

In light of answering this question, I dont give a damn whether you've been to Iraq or not. I posted this q in the mil section because i wanted answers from those who are either in the military or have some sound military knowledge.
Whether you've been deployed or not is beside the point. Yes im fully aware that women are just as much part of the military as men. I don't care what gender the answer comes from that being said, um, i read ur answer a few times and couldn't actually find a response that considered the question.
To Madmax, u raise a good point, ty.

Answer 1

"Other options to leave basic training if your are not cut out"? I'm afraid that I don't understand the question. Either you make it thru basic, or you don't. If you don't, you go home. If you make it thru basic, but not AIT, then you can/will be either reassigned to another MOS (you will have choice, but the needs of the Army come first), or you go home.

"Failure to adapt" means that, for whatever reason, an individual fails to meet military standards. This could range from inability, or unwillingness, to perform to standard, repeated failure to follow orders, performing criminal activiity, etc. This applies, usually, on in basic training/AIT. Once a soldier has graduated and is in his/her unit, then there are other means available.

Just like anything else with the government, if they want something from you, the get it immediately. If you want something from them, it will take awhile. In this case, however, part of the reason is that they are hoping the individual will straighten up and become a productive member of the military. Another part is that the clerks who handle the paperwork have priorities, and filling out chapters is a low item on the totem pole.

Answer 2

Tmarie99... quit wasting our time with your iron-bra attitude. Sometimes people use the word "guy" as a general term not representing gender... and then there are some of us that believe that most women in the military are more hassle than they are worth!

Usually the "failure to adapt" IS the "out option" in basic. Failure to adapt does sometimes include attitude problems but it may also include people just not cut out for the military. Not able to follow orders by not understanding what is being asked of them, unsanitary person, trouble maker with others, not being part of the "team" when working with others... even someone who can be a bit of an airhead can be given the "failure to adapt" logo.

Recruiters really don't care about quality but more along the lines of quantity. Usually it's not their fault as their job requires so many contracts to be filled or they aren't meeting their job quota. Face it... there are a lot of book smart people out there that have trouble tieing their own shoes in a hurry. They may pass the ASVAB with flying colors but couldn't pour water out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel!

Not sure about your last question... a bit unclear.

Answer 3

"Failure to Adapt" usually means you have an attitude problem and/or were not cut out to be a Soldier. It will more than likely fall under a General Discharge. It won't look good on paper but it won't be damning really. It will all depend on where the person tries to get a job after the discharge. And the reason it takes a while is 1.) no one is in a hurry to get the person out. It's not a top priority and they will be used as cheap labor for a while (LOL) and 2.) it takes time because there is usually a lot of paperwork and verbal counseling that comes with the whole ordeal.

Answer 4

a FTA discharge typically means you were unable to adapt to the military lifestyle.. physically or mentally. ADMIN SEPS acan be treated as failures and quitters. they are less likely to care about getting your paperwork done than they are of someone who has persevered and completed their training no matter how much it sucked.

The military is not going to spend thousands and even millions of dollars on your education and training without some sort of return on their investment. you can't be expected to just quit becuase you want to, You signed a contract and are obligated to fulfill your part of the bargain.

Answer 5

basically, if you're in basic and you want out and you go to your DI and tell them that you made the wrong choice and you want out, then they will eventually get the paperwork done, but they will piss around with it, you can be sure of that.

one thing that i've noticed disgusts military personnel is quitting. they don't do it. they made it through and therefore if they see someone else quitting, then they just want to push that person harder to motivate them to succeed.

my husband is a marine and said basic sucked, but he knew that his life would get a whole lot worse if he tried to quit basic.

now, let's say you can't run a PFT in enough time. then your DI would just push you that much harder to suceed. they MAY downgrade you to an different platoon in order to give you more time to succeed.

discharge isn't easily administered b/c they spent their time and money on you and they aren't going to just let you up and quit. they make sure that you are serious about being a faliure before they let you fail.

Answer 6

Why would you ask for just guys to clarify? You ARE aware the women join the military.... Right? You DO live in the 21st Century, don't you?

No... If she'd said "Could you guys" I wouldn't have said a word. But "ANY" guy makes it sound like ONLY guys. It's not an iron bra attitude, it's a reminder that GUYS aren't the only people with their a.sses in the wind in Iraq.