Can you obtain a discharge if you stop going to drill in Georgia National Guard?

Question

This pertains to GA, I've heard some people get discharged within months, but is there the risk of imprisonment?

Dishonorable discharge? Will that affect entry into medical school?

Answer 1

Sure but first you get to get declared AWOL and then a deserter and finally you get a dishonarable discharge. Sounds like a great idea for your future. Hope you never need a background check for anything.

Answer 2

Opinions aside here's the correct answer: All Reserve (Navy, Guard, USMC, etc.) all do the same thing when you stop drilling - they simply discharge you.

There are two ways to go about this. First, you can (again, in ANY Reserve branch) put in a request to be transferred to the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve). Most people that do this cite family, religious, etc. issues, but don't necessarily have to have a good reason. This option is a little harder when you are talking about the Army Reserve and Guard for the simple reason that they just don't want to let people go. However this is the best option because you no longer have to drill and is considered honorable in every respect. This of course being important if you ever change your mind and want to come back to that or any other branch of service.

The second way is what you seem to be suggesting, which is just to completely stop drilling all together, without notice or warning. Assuming your unit is not scheduled to deploy, you would simply be involuntarily transferred to the IRR or completely discharged/administratively separated. That is not dishonorable, simply administrative. This means that if you wanted to come back and drill or enlist in any service again you would most likely require a waiver or C.O. interview.

The key is that it's the reserve. You will not receive a DD-214, just a letter in the mail. How long it takes them to transfer you to the IRR or discharge you (most likely) is up to them. It could be one or two drill weekends (most likely) or over six months. Even though they are required to expedite the process for administrative reasons, they really don't spend a lot of time on someone who's not showing up.

As far as the risk of imprisonment, there isn't any. At all. Yes it's against the law, and yes it is punishable by a fine and imprisonment, but I challenge anyone to find even one single instance of a reservist from any branch being imprisoned for walking away from their drilling obligations. Ain't gonna happen folks.

Personally I would suggest that you submit a "Conditional Release" (if you don't know what that is, your unit commander will) and try serving your country in another branch more to your liking. This should keep you under your same contract obligation, but for an entirely different branch, therefore honoring your commitment to your oath of enlistment. But of course that is simply a suggestion.

Good luck whatever your decision.

P.S. It will not prevent your from doing anything with any school, college, etc. including anyting in the medial field. You just won't be entitled to any military education money.

P.P.S. I've been reading some of the other answers. I just want to point out that opionions aside, people do this everyday. All you have to do is talk to the recruiter of the branch that you would rather be in. It's that simple.

Answer 3

If you just stop going you are AWOL..that is a punishable offense. You could go to military jail, get a dishoroable discharge and that may very well keep you from medical school (and impact your ability to qualify for financial aide depending on if you face criminal charges).

People don't seem to get that you can;t just "quit" the military..be it active duty or reserves. If you want to get out of your service agreeement, you need to investigate legal ways to do so. And even then, the military can deny you the right to seperate if you are in a career field that is in high demand and has low manning numbers. Just getting out is not easy and the "sure fire" ways you may here can carry other risks.

That being said, many folks join to find out the military is not for them. You don't mention how long you've been in the reserves, but I would suggest talking to your CO. If you are trying to find a way out to avoid a deployment, you may need to accept that you can't. Going AWOL will not solve anything (especially if you are supposed to deploy).

Answer 4

I sincerely hope that you do not plan to stop going to drill. That is just wrong. You signed a contract. I know that it is tough after awhile. That one weekend a month comes around all the time.

I don't think that prison will be involved, but it should be. Yeah, you'll get discharged. Not the kind that you want to have on your record, though. Just finish up your time and then get out.

Answer 5

There is always a risk of imprisonment when you defy a military order, though less so with reserve perhaps.

Still you would most likely be considered AWOL and get a dishonorable discharge.

If you think you don't mind a DD, wait until you try to get a job with one.

Not going to duty is not a good option.

Answer 6

Not the kind of discharge you're hoping for though! There is also serious talk about bringing back the older rule for NG non-shows. Used to be if you didn't show up for drill enough times, they would come and get you and put you into the active Army......and you know what that means, Iraq Bound!

Answer 7

Surely you can get a discharge, not one that you want though. You will be processed out and will lose your Veteran's benefits and any chance of serving in the military again.

Answer 8

I really hope the UCMJ applies.

Enjoy the Brig.

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 9

Yeah not good. Look into doing this the right way, You are thinking of doing this the wrong way.