There are a few key reasons why it is very difficult to simply quit or resign from the military once you have joined. The military requires a certain level of manpower to function properly and maintain national security, so rules and laws have been put in place to prevent people from quitting easily. When you join the military, you sign a legal contract that binds you to serve for a certain number of years. Breaching this contract comes with stiff penalties. Additionally, the military controls much of your life once you join, making it logistically difficult to leave. However, there are some limited circumstances where one can resign or be discharged early.
You Sign a Legal Contract
When you join the military, you sign a contract called the enlistment agreement. This is a binding legal document that commits you to serve for a set number of years. The length of the contract varies based on what branch you join:
| Branch | Typical Contract Length |
|---|---|
| Army | 3-6 years |
| Navy | 4-6 years |
| Air Force | 4-6 years |
| Marines | 4-5 years |
| Coast Guard | 3-5 years |
If you try to leave before fulfilling your contract, you will be considered AWOL (Absent Without Leave) or a deserter. This can result in serious consequences like court martial, imprisonment, or less-than-honorable discharge conditions. Essentially, you are legally obligated to uphold the contract you signed. The military owns your service for the length of your enlistment.
Obligated Service Requirements
In addition to signing an enlistment contract, there are other conditions that obligate you to further service. Two common ones are:
– ROTC Scholarships – If you received an ROTC scholarship for college, you owe 4 years of active duty service after graduation.
– Education/Training – If the military pays for your medical school, flight training, or any other expensive training, you incur an additional service obligation usually 2-3 times the length of training.
These extra service commitments are on top of your original enlistment contract. Trying to leave early without fulfilling them can also bring penalties and legal troubles.
Stop-Loss Policies
In times of war or increased operational demands, the President and military branches can invoke stop-loss policies. These prevent personnel from being discharged even after their enlistment contracts are up. This is done to maintain troop levels by halting all non-emergency discharges. Stop-loss has been used in the Gulf War, after 9/11, and during the Iraq War. If you are ready to separate but are subject to stop-loss, you have no choice but to continue serving indefinitely.
Early Separation Methods
Given all the binding commitments, it is very difficult to simply quit the military outright. However, there are a few avenues that may allow early separation if certain criteria are met:
– Entry Level Separations – Occurs during initial training if you are deemed unfit for duty. Entry level separations are uncharacterized.
– Administrative Separations – Can occur if you have minor disciplinary issues, fail fitness standards, or have medical conditions. These are still considered honorable discharges.
– Hardship Discharges – Granted due to severe medical issues in your immediate family requiring you to be their caregiver.
– Pregnancy Separations – Allowed if a woman becomes pregnant while in service. Discharge is honorable.
– Conscientious Objection – Very rare, for those whose beliefs preclude military service. CO status must be proven via chaplain reviews, psychiatrist reviews, written statements, and interviews. If granted, discharge is honorable.
– Disability Discharge – For injuries/medical conditions incurred while serving that preclude continued service. Must be approved by medical evaluation boards. Discharge is honorable.
Punishments for Resigning Early
What happens if you try to quit the military without being eligible for the limited exceptions above? Here are some potential punishments:
– AWOL (Absent Without Leave) – If you simply stop showing up for duty, you will be declared AWOL after 30 days. Continued AWOL status leads to more severe consequences.
– Court Martial – Those gone AWOL for very lengthy periods or who deserted their post may face criminal trial by court martial. Can result in prison time.
– Recoupment of Bonuses/Benefits – Any unearned enlistment or reenlistment bonuses, education benefits, or other incentives will have to be paid back.
– Less-than-Honorable Discharge – Early separation without proper authorization often leads to a discharge status below Honorable, damaging future job prospects.
– Security Clearance Revocation – Any security clearance will be revoked, preventing jobs requiring clearance.
– Ineligibility for Veteran Benefits – Veterans benefits like healthcare, loans, and tuition assistance require an Honorable discharge.
Why Military Control Makes it Hard to Quit
Beyond legal contracts, the extreme level of control the military exerts over your life also makes it very difficult to simply quit of your own accord. Here are some reasons why:
You Can be Punished for Even Attempting to Quit
Merely expressing the intent to leave early or refusing orders can result in disciplinary action like demotion, confinement to barracks, revocation of privileges, or reassignment to unpleasant duties. Actually filing resignation paperwork without meeting any approved separation criteria may be viewed as subversive behavior.
No Physical Ability to Leave
Service members are not free to come and go from bases as they please – this is considered desertion. Troops overseas or on deployment truly have zero physical ability to leave until their transport back to home base is arranged at end of deployment. Going AWOL while deployed abroad is very serious.
Enforced Contracts Beyond Original Term
Even after you fulfill your original enlistment contract, you may be forced to keep serving via stop-loss or mandatory service extensions. For example, the Army recently implemented a policy that part-time Reserve/National Guard must remain in service for at least 6 years, regardless of initial contract length.
Financial Controls
Your ability to support yourself financially is controlled by the military – you do not have an external job or income source. Base pay and allowances can be forfeited if imprisoned or dishonorably discharged. The military exerts full control of your financial livelihood.
Coercion to Reenlist
As you near the end of your enlistment, there are many high-pressure tactics to convince you to reenlist and continue serving. Bonuses, promotions, threats of unpleasant duty, and appeals to loyalty and honor are commonly used, sometimes making troops reenlist just to avoid the harassment.
Isolation from Outside Help
While on bases or deployed abroad, you are isolated from outside contacts who could help expedite discharge. Communications and access to external advisors are tightly monitored and restricted. This makes unassisted resignation very difficult.
When Leaving the Military is Possible
Despite all the restrictions, there are some circumstances where personnel are allowed or even encouraged to leave the military early:
Expiration of Term of Service (ETS)
Reaching your contractual End Term of Service date is the one surest way to leave the military on your own terms. Your ETS date factors in any stop-loss periods or service extensions, so if you can make it until then you are scot-free with no penalties. Discharge is usually honorable.
End of Active Obligated Service
Those leaving active duty still have to finish out their reserve commitment in the National Guard or Reserves. But transitioning from full-time active duty to part-time reserve duty is common at end of active service obligation.
Retirement
Military retirement with full benefits is possible after 20 years of service. Personnel who reach this milestone often opt for retirement immediately afterward.
Downsizing
When the military needs to reduce total personnel end strength, early separation programs with incentives are offered. These have names like Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) – they encourage people to leave voluntarily with benefits.
End of Stop-Loss Policy
When stop-loss is lifted, all personnel who were involuntarily extended are finally allowed to separate once orders stopping discharges are rescinded.
Hardship Case
If you can prove extreme personal or family hardship, compassionate reassignment or discharge may be authorized, but this is rare. Requires extensive documentation and command approval.
Seeking a Discharge with Help
Given the difficulties outlined above, getting out of the military on your own is ill-advised. However, by seeking help, several options may open up:
Request Command Assistance
Speaking honestly to your commanding officer about your situation may help – good leaders want to retain quality people but will also not force someone to stay who is totally unfit or unwilling. They may be able to assist with a hardship discharge or document your case for conscientious objection. Be wary of retaliation, however.
obtain Legal Counsel
A military lawyer well-versed in separation procedures can advise you on documenting your specific situation to satisfy requirements for discharge. Especially helpful for conscientious objection, family emergencies, and handling appeals if a discharge is denied.
Contact Congressional Representative
Your Congressperson or Senator may be able to make inquiries or put pressure on command to release you honorably if there are compelling humanitarian reasons behind your resignation request. They have access to channels and authorities that you do not.
utilize Outside Aid Groups
Organizations like GI Rights Hotline exist to help service members explore options and understand their rights. They can provide resources and coaching to apply for conscientious objector status or file appeals if unfairly denied discharge.
Conclusion
Quitting the military outright on your own terms is virtually impossible – it carries stiff legal penalties and risks a damaging discharge status. However, working within the system using the proper channels and assistance resources means you can transition out honorably if you meet eligibility criteria. Every situation is different, so explore your options thoroughly before deciding it’s better to go AWOL and risk serious consequences. If you are willing to put in time and effort, there may be a way to leave while maintaining benefits and your rights.