I'm not in the army, but my boyfriend is. I know it's completely dishonerable, and I've been trying to talk him out of it, but it seems that he is just dead set on trying to find a way out of the army. He says that he signed up for the wrong reasons and now feels that it is more of a dishonor to stay enlisted knowing that he doesn't truly love serving like other soldiers do. He's currently in AIT in Ft. Gordon, GA as a 25U. He's just absolutely miserable and depressed all the time. Is there a way out?
2007-08-07 19:06:00 · 13 answers · asked by Amanda O 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
CJ, I appreciate your honesty, and I agree that it is his duty to fulfill the time he signed for. As I said, I know as well as the next person that it is dishonorable and I AM trying to talk him out of it. No need to be so rude. Thanks.
2007-08-08 03:26:37 · update #1
That's disgraceful.
He enlisted, and he's obligated to fulfill the terms of that enlistment. Unless he can declare a legitimate hardship, or be discharged medically, he's obligated to serve out his enlistment obligation. The only other way I know to get out is to commit a crime, and he could be discharged once he's out of jail. But I wouldn't suggest that, huh?
I'm sorry he's "miserable" and "depressed", but he needs to act like a grown man, and do the duty he signed up to do.
2007-08-07 19:17:29 · answer #1 · answered by C J 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is a dilemma here; I am an Active duty NCO so I would not be able to tell you how he can “GET OUT” of his contract. I will advise you to let him know that he can talk to the Chaplin and see what he can do for him. As Far as lying about sexual orientation or something else that is something I would not recommend. He has learned the Army Values by now and it sounds like he is trying to go by them to the best of his abilities but he is forgetting one, Commitment. The one he made to the U.S. Army. I would tell him to sit down with one of the NCOs’ that is training him and have a heart to heart with them about why he should finish his training. All the wrong reasons or not the same as the other soldiers is not a reason to get out. Many people join the Army for many reasons and find that they love it or hate it. It takes a special person to love the Army but it takes a strong person to stick it out even though it is not for them. It is likely he has only signed up for a 3 year active duty tour which will give him 5 years inactive ready reserve. Yes he will more than likely come to Iraq and could do it more than once. If he is at Gordon he is in some kind of communications MOS or computers (IT) so the likely hood of him doing a foot patrol are not as high as he might think. The benefit of fulfilling his obligation to the army far out weigh just getting out. If he sticks it out he will have a good job when he get out and during his service you will have good health care if you marry. He will not have a military record that, even though it does not say he was bad, will haunt him for ever. The best thing to do is continue to support him and encourage him to keep it up
2007-08-11 11:33:43 · answer #2 · answered by SSGAllan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Military life can be really tough. I didn't adjust until maybe two years after my enlistment. I don't judge your boyfriend because some people just do not belong in the military. If it isn't him, yes, he did sign a contract, however, those signing the contract seldom know precisely what they're in for. During training like another person said, he will get a general discharge. I had a roomate in AIT that chose the 'gay' way out. She didn't have to 'prove' it, she just had to state that she was to the command. It took her a couple of months, but it worked. I've known a couple of people in my military experience that have acted crazy or suicidal. I would not suggest this route, however, because it is likely the most mentally exhausting, and your boyfriend will be hated passionately by those around him because they will have to pull 24hr. suicide watch on him. I wish ya'll the best.
2007-08-07 20:09:45 · answer #3 · answered by Kels 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he could probably get out on a "incompatible with military life". Just have him quit obeying orders.
When I was in AIT at Ft. Benning, there were some guys getting drummed out because they couldn't obey orders. I asked, "uhhh...didn't you know that you were going to have to do that before signing up?" Dopes.
Anyway...having said that..your bf needs to honor his committment. Basic and AIT are tough times. He can get through it. At least he's not in the infantry (which is pretty rough training).
2007-08-08 09:52:20 · answer #4 · answered by Wayne B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you dont let him get out, whats his problem, I used to be an instructor at FT gordon, maybe I can help him with whatever is bothering him, if you dont mind, you can have him email me directly, just click on my profile, I will try to get him to stay in, its not that hard of a life, it is self rewarding most of the time, I am here to help,, but I will talk with him as I am not in his chain of command but as a fellow signal soldier and NCO who cares about troops,
2007-08-07 19:18:03 · answer #5 · answered by sofmatty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be possible but it will haunt him. This happened to an ex of mine. He had an entry level separation from the navy because the job they promised him wasn't available. Every civilian job he applied for looked at that record and didn't understand it. He ended up joining the army.
2007-08-07 19:15:04 · answer #6 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's doubtful, but if he has any chance, he should do it before he finishes training. Tell him to talk with his chain of commmand about it, and be totally honest. Or he could talk to a chaplain. They do have trainee discharges, but once you're awarded your MOS, they've got an investment in you, and they pretty much don't let people out unless they have reason to kick you out, which could follow you later in life.
2007-08-07 19:17:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw a few get out while I was in Marine Corps boot camp. One signed a sworn statement that he was homosexual, the other was just a screwup that got out on 'failure to adapt' conditions which gave him a general discharge.
2007-08-07 19:15:33 · answer #8 · answered by cplkittle 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
not easily, no. he signed a contract, he is obligated to fulfill it.
Have him seek out his chaplain. Everybody goes through periods of uncertainty and regret.
2007-08-08 02:05:58 · answer #9 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Entry level discharge is pretty easy to get and normally is a general discharge that is uncharacterized (in other words, neither honorable or other than honorable).
2007-08-07 19:11:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋