If you have NOT been to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and have NOT taken an Oath of Enlistment, you are free to quit the process at any time
. Just because you arrive at MEPS does not mean you are fully committed with no chance of deciding not to commit after all.
Recruits who don't pass their initial run will get another chance within 48 hours. But if they fail that,
they'll be sent home with an ELS, an entry-level separation from the Navy that will require them to get a waiver if they want to try and enlist again
.
What happens if you quit boot camp?
Entry-Level Separation
After you arrive at boot camp, your fate still isn't sealed. Even though you're now on active duty,
Army command can let you go without penalty during your first 180 days of service
. The official term for this is entry-level separation.
Can you quit during basic training?
Basic Training
If you have NOT been to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and have NOT taken an Oath of Enlistment,
you are free to quit the process at any time
.
Do you go to jail if you quit the military?
Attempted desertion also is charged as a military crime, as long as the attempt went beyond mere preparation
. Desertion carries a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay, and confinement of five years.
Can you back out of the military before boot camp?
Quitting The Military: Before And During Basic Training
You have signed a contract, yes
. But there are rules that provide for letting you go if you are not a good fit or fail to adapt to a military environment.
Recruits have
three guaranteed calls
during boot camp: the “I'm here” call the night they arrive, the “I'm still alive” call in the 3rd week of training, and the “I'm a sailor” call in their 7th week. Any other calls have to be earned. Some divisions earn a half-dozen calls, others never earn an extra call.
Yes, it is possible to fail basic training. You could go through the trouble of leaving your home, job, family and friends and come back a failure. In fact, this happens to about
15%
of recruits who join the military every year.
In all the branches' basic training programs, bedtime is usually
2100, or 9 p.m.
, except during times of special events, such as night exercises. In basic training, lights out means go to sleep. It does not mean talk to your buddies, study or write a letter home.
Navy. The Navy calls this Boot Camp. It is
a bit shorter than the Army's Basic Combat Training
, at 8 weeks. You progress through: basic conditioning – confidence course – team-building week – hands-on training.
Can you quit military?
The military can throw you out for several reasons, but
you can't simply quit because you don't like it
. If the military decides to throw you out (discharge you), the consequences of the discharge (depending on the type of discharge you're granted) can follow you the rest of your life.
- Conscientious Objector Discharge.
- Early Release for Education.
- Military Hardship Discharges.
- Convenience of the Government.
- Military Service Commitments.
Can you change your mind after signing up for the military?
If you change your mind about joining the military,
you can request to be released from the delayed enlistment process
—no matter what your recruiter tells you. Most enlistments into the military are through the delayed enlistment process (DEP). The DEP is a legal, binding contract.
How many soldiers go AWOL a year?
AWOL and Desertion charges are not uncommon in the military with the Army accumulating anywhere
between 2,500 and 4,000
annually.
Absence Without Leave, Unauthorized Absence, and Desertion
Also known as desertion, it is no light matter and can lead to serious consequences.
If AWOL for more than 30 days, a warrant for your arrest can be issued, resulting in a possible federal arrest and conviction
.
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Entry-Level Discharge
One possible early-out from the military is the entry-level separation. In this type of separation, the service member receives a discharge before completing 180 days of active duty. Once a service member's contract goes into effect, the countdown to 180 days begins.
Can I watch my son swear in at MEPS?
Members of your family are welcome to watch you take the oath
. A waiting room is available for them. Your family may take photographs of you with the military officer administering the oath.
How do I pay my bills while in basic training?
Do you get paid during boot camp?
It takes a few days for the gears to grind.
If you arrive at basic training before the 10th of the month, you'll get paid on the 15th
. If you arrive after the 10th of the month, you won't see your first paycheck until the 1st of the following month, but it will include all pay you're entitled to, as of that date.
Sailors in eligible skills are able to leave the service up to two years early
— often with as little as two years of service. Early out quotas are set monthly by enlisted community managers who publish those vacancies on the Navy Personnel Command Web page.
What is a scripted call from boot camp?
The First Phone Call
Don't be offended when your recruit calls you for the first time and isn't able to chat. The recruit is given a scripted response: “
I have arrived safely at MCRD Parris Island or MCRD San Diego.
Do Sailors Get Leave After Navy Boot Camp? After Navy boot-camp graduation,
sailors will not be given leave and are required to travel to their next training location, A School
. There are many locations for Navy A School, and not all sailors will go to the same school.
When should I stop sending letters to bootcamp?
It's recommended to stop sending mail
near the end of week 7
. This is the safest end date to ensure Trainees receive all your letters.
