When you are in the army/navy - can you decide to get out at any time?

Question

I dont know exactly how it works - but say you sign up for a 2 year program with the army - and you decide you want to get out early ---- can you?


my boyfriend is saying it is illegal to get out of the army/navy early - and if you do - you will go to jail?

Answer 1

You most definitely can not get out early without suffering some reprecussions. Usually getting out with other than an Honorable discharge will haunt you for life. The best thing to do is to suck it up, complete your commitment and transfer to the civilian sector after receiving an Honorable discharge, and all the benefits of being a military veteran. Think about it, would you rather live through a couple years of doing something you don't like, or live with the consequences for doing something stupid for the rest of your life. Life is usually a long time to live with your mistakes.

If he hasn't joined yet and is already asking these questions then maybe this isn't something he should be doing.

Answer 2

I love these old sea stories; I was stationed in New London, CT when this occurred. An E-5 (machinist mate) showed up one day at his command. He was smoking a joint and drinking a wine cooler. His first class could not believe what he saw and summoned the senior chief. The senior chief inquired, quite forcefully, if he had lost his mind and what did he think he was doing. The second class, using scatalogical langauge, told the senior chief where to go. This brought out the Warrant Officer. The second class attempted to punch the warrant (the warrant was tedious, but I would have hit the senior chief myself) and things went downhill from there. The father-in-law of the second class had told him that he should get out of the military anyway that he could. He had a job for him that paid about $80,000 a year (1980 dollars). The father-in-law said that he would cover any fines or other costs from the discharge. At Captains Mast the second got what he wanted; a discharge, a bad conduct discharge and six months of confinement in New Hampshire at the Navy brig. I guess he got more than he wanted.

Answer 3

i admire those previous sea thoughts; i grow to be stationed in New London, CT whilst this befell. An E-5 (machinist mate) confirmed up sooner or later at his command. He grow to be smoking a joint and eating a wine cooler. His first-classification might desire to no longer have confidence what he observed and summoned the senior chief. The senior chief inquired, incredibly forcefully, if he had lost his strategies and what did he think of he grow to be doing. the 2nd classification, applying scatalogical langauge, instructed the senior chief the place to bypass. This extra out the Warrant Officer. the 2nd classification tried to punch the warrant (the warrant grow to be tedious, yet i might have hit the senior chief myself) and issues went downhill from there. the better half's father of the 2nd classification had instructed him that he could get out of the militia besides that he might desire to. He had a job for him that paid approximately $80,000 a year (1980 money). the better half's father suggested that he might cover any fines or different expenses from the release. At Captains Mast the 2nd have been given what he needed; a discharge, a foul habit discharge and 6 months of confinement in New Hampshire on the army brig. i assume he have been given better than he needed.

Answer 4

Your boyfriend is right... when in the military, you're subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice... and can be court-martialed for deserting... or leaving before your enlistment is up.

If he enlists, he will have a multi-year commitment... several years active, then several years in the reserves. He will NOT have the ability to separate from the military without just and recognized cause. Meaning.. he won't just be able to decide he's tired of it and walk out... It's a commitment... If he's not sure, he shouldn't enlist.

Answer 5

Sounds like a wise young man. He is not 100% correct but very very close.

PS: It's an 8 year obligation these days. Was 6 back in my day. Once you sign they don't want to listen to the whine.

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 6

Your boyfriend is correct, kind of. It is possible to get out of the military before your enlistment is up for medical or disciplinary reasons. Otherwise, you cannot leave early. Doing so would mean you are UA, or AWOL and that is punishable by jail time or possibly even worse.

Answer 7

There are ways to get out, but usually won't get you out completely.

There are administrative methods of getting a discharge, but these discharges take some time and don't get you an honorable discharge. And you might be placed in some type of reserve status.

Another course of action is to go from active duty to reserve. This is more common and can get you out of active duty, although you can still be deployed as a reservist.

Answer 8

No. You sign a contract stating how long your active service and how long your inactive service will be.

If you have leave saved up, you can apply your unused leave to your ETS date. You are still paid for that leave.

You can also be court-martialed and discharged dishonorably and forfeit all veterans benefits.

Answer 9

You can decide you WANT to get out at any time but you're still committed to your contract. There are medical and administrative reasons for getting out, but he's better off serving his time and getting discharged.

Answer 10

You can be discharged for various reasons... it is doubtful that you'd retain any benefits though, considering most of those reasons would be of the dishonorable variety. If you go AWOL, you will go to the brig.