What happens if I don't show up for my ship date to basic?

Question

I don't care how if you guys call me names bash on me or talk trash about me not being a man. I simply don't want to do the military anymore, It just isn't for me and I know I signed already but I just don't want to do it anymore. I called the GI rights hotline and they said I can get out of the military before I head out to boot camp...and that their threats about being sent to jail if I dont go are a bunch of lies...

Answer 1

You need to contact your military recruiter and tell him/her that you have decided not to enter the military and want out of your contract. If you do not want to talk to your recruiter you need to contact your The United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) . That should have been the place where you took your physical.

Depending on the type of enlistment you signed you might need to receive a discharge. The military is all about paperwork. If you were in the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) this is completely different. Here is a link to help you with that:

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter4.htm

You need to notify your recruiter or the MEPS in writing that you request to be released from any military commitment.

Answer 2

Contact your recruiter. Your contract will be voided and you will receive an administrative discharge. Of course, you will never be able to enlist ever again in any branch. But, that's a good thing because a lot of time and expense was avoided before they booted you out for a disqualifying condition which existed prior to entry. Namely, immature personality.
If you don't do as I advise you will be listed as a deserter by your service in the National Crime Information Center data base. Anytime you are stopped by a police officer, he will check that data base and you will generate a "hit". You will be arrested and held on a Federal detainer until the military comes to fetch you. You see, we are at war, and the Department of Defense pays a bounty to the local cops who arrest a deserter.
No threat. Just facts.

Answer 3

Hey! Just not showing up is a bad idea to quit since that could render you a time into jail. Its better to call or email your recruiter or a contact person or any officer at the boot camp and tell them that you have second thoughts about it and dont want it any more. They will try to presude you back into it but its no problem if you realy have decided its not for you. Have you done it or is this just a healthy afraidness of the unknown? Take your time and talk to people that have been through it for their advice. Maybe the military could postpone your bootcamp entry untill you have decided what to do? Good luck and remember: dont show up is a bad way to quit! Johan

Answer 4

Then get a hold of your recruiter and start the process now, the right way instead of just going AWOL. I have no idea why you have decided at the last minute to change your mind about fufilling your service agreement, but going AWOL is not a honorable or even intelligent choice If you are mature enough to realize you made an error, than you are mature enough to handle it appropriately and accept the consequences that come. Going AWOL may not land you in jail, but it will most definitely change the type of discharge you get and the can effect your future, Many employers will look at the type and circumstances of a discharge..do yourself a favor and handle it.

Answer 5

There are a few people on here who have no idea what they are talking about. Tell your recruiter you changed your mind, you have to sign paperwork but thats it. The recruiter will likely try to talk you out of it but its your choice. DO NOT just not show up. If you do decide to go to boot camp, you can ask for a Failure to Adapt Seperation. They may give you some guff about it but just stick to your guns. I am currently enlisted and a friend of mine decided not to go to boot camp about 2 wks before the ship date. The military isnt for everyone and I know alot of people will say alot of bad things about you, there are alot of angry people on yahoo answers. I sometimes regret joining myself. Sometimes things happen in life that makes serving difficult. Just talk to your detailer and don't let them pressure you into anything you don't want to do.

Answer 6

If you signed the paperwork then you are in the military. Don't show up and you are away without leave and you can be prosecuted. You might have to visit an attorney to get out of this one. Whatever you do do not go back to the people who signed you up and try to talk to them. It won't help. Once you are in basic training (if you show up) then you can tell them that this was not for you and you want out. You can pull a section 8 which is a mental problem. Remember, not every job is infantry. You can apply to be a cook or an office staff member or radar, etc. if you have the aptitude.

Answer 7

Is this a pattern you've set in you life so far? Give your word and then back out? Better let your prospective wife know about your history of backing out.
Get out. We don't need people like you in the military. I wouldn't want to have to depend on the likes of you when things get going tough.
I bet your parents will be proud of you.
Go work at McD's.
(USN, retired/in-country Viet Nam vet)

Answer 8

Apparently you want someone to agree with you and the "GI Rights Hotline". I'm sure they will be with you when you get dragged away. IF you signed up for the Reserves or National Guard you are holding a slot. You will be listed as a deserter. Otherwise you can punk out all you want. i'm sure the real soldiers don't want you around.

Answer 9

You signed the papers and took the oath. Dont show up and you become AWOL. At that point the military will have your recruiter try and contact you. If they cannot convince you to come on your own they *can* have the local law enforcement deliver you to the nearest military base. Unlikely that will happen... it makes for bad vibes with your peers and recruiters hate bad vibes.

So the next step is that, after about 30 days, you are declared a deserter. That means you are charged with a federal crime (desertion) and a warrent will be issued for your arrest. Dont get pulled over for a speeding ticket, or otherwise give a cop reason to check your name / ssn.

Honestly at this point the military doesnt want you actually in service (having displayed character flaws in responsibility, duty, honor and such) so they really wont do much to get you back. Some guys stay deserters for 10 or 15 years.

However, now you are, literally, a fugative from justice while you are attempting to evade being picked up on the federal warrant.

There are effects for this: Dont look for financial aid for college, expect trouble getting a car/house loan (banks think wanted people make bad credit risks, and you know Uncle Sam will report you to all the credit agencies), and know that ANY TIME YOU DEAL WITH THE GOVERNMENT... like getting a marriage license, filing taxes, being in a minor car accident, getting a job (your employer files your SSN with the government), buying property, starting a business, or any of the thousands of ways the government regulates us you are running the risk of the outstanding warrant being seen and you get either denied the job / loan / permit / etc.. or you get arrested and tried for desertion.

FACT: 90% of deserters are caught within 10 years. Most turn themselves in because life with the outstanding warrant is too painful. Most spend no more than about 30 days in jail awaiting trial and then are released on probation.

And, of course, a federal conviction. See notes above on loans, jobs, etc... Think that is worth it?

BUT IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. Desertion is very, very bad. Not the way to get out of the military.

Get on the bus and go to basic training. If you dont like it, tell the drill sergeant and your company officers you want a "Trainee Discharge". They wont like it, and you are in for some pressure as they try and talk you out of it. But within 90 days of reporting for basic you can be put on on the trainee discharge under 'other than honorable conditions' - not good but not really bad. You might find some employer who knows what that means but honestly, that is unlikely. Net result is you have an unpleasant 1-2 months and then go home and get on with life.

You are WAY better off to meet the minimum requirement that you signed up for - showing up at basic. Painful, but it was your own mistake for signing up and freely taking the oath. So face that like an adult and take the medicine. You can still not 'do the military anymore' but be smart, avoid the federal conviction and who knows - you might learn something about yourself along the way.

Answer 10

It sounds like your already found your answer. You're awfully defensive about your own question. Just by the way you asked the question I'd prefer you don't wear a uniform for my country. So, good luck getting out of it.