Completed Basic Training and Discovered I have a Contract Problem. What can I do?

Question

I am a college student and joined the Army Reserve in December 2007 under the Delayed Entry Program. I signed as an Aviation Operations Specialist (15P). My hope was to get my feet in the door for a little bit and then apply to be a warrant officer to fly helicopters after college was over, but remain in the Reserve.

I ensured that I gave my recruiter the greatest detail possible about how I wanted to be exempt from deployment so that I could finish my bachelor's degree. After that, I understood that I'd be fair game for deployment, which did not bother my. That's part of the reason why we join, right?

My recruiter seemed to be on board with me that I wanted to finish my education, and he said that I'd be granted that exemption once I got to my unit at Ft. Hood. However, at basic I found several people in my college scenario. Some had college exemptions written into their contracts, but some realized they had the same problem I did.

After realizing I had this problem, I wrote a letter to my Senator explaining my situation. Now I have a meeting this afternoon with someone who will be interviewing my recruiting station commander beforehand.

At this point, I'm wishing I had just waited to sign until I was out of school. All the mental turmoil and time spent dealing with this has really made the Army not worth it to me. I never had to join, but I wanted to. Right now, I regret that decision. I didn't join for the money, and was actually unaware as far as the extent that I'd receive bonuses. That was not my motivation to sign.

So do I have any options that I should be aware of before talking to a Captain who is interviewing the Recruiting Station Commander?

I have already completed BCT this summer and will be scheduled for AIT either next summer or fall.

Honestly, I'd just feel more comfortable if I could get a discharge at this point, whether or not I could come back into the military. It's been nothing more than a regret for me at this point, and I really do not have a desire to continue. However, I will not do anything dishonorable to achieve that. I realize I signed 6+2 years in Reserve service and will only pursue getting out in a legal and moral way (if I can).

Again, what options will there be for me, and should there be anything I should be aware of before I speak to this Captain today?

Basics of my contract:

$20,000 enlistment bonus

$20,000 student loan repayment

Montgomery GI Bill

Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

Way too long.

Bottom line: you shouldnt have joined in the first place. you're not just a high school dropout like most military recruits, i'm sure you have better options.

Answer 2

Just tell him you felt very misled by the recruiter and if there is a way you can resign the contract with the clause or if they can talk to your unit you're being assigned to. If they are deploying  before you graduate you'll probably just be treated like a shitbag or they'll just make you go anyway. If you go you'll lose what, maybe a year of school? Not bad considering it looks like they'll be paying a pretty good chunk of tuition. I know you probably want to do keg stands and work at your assistant manager part time job at Wendy's, but taking a year off really isn't that big of a deal. It sounds scary, but you're gonna be a working behind the lines with the helos, I have the feeling you're safer there than walkign around most big cities at night.

By the way, don't listen to those people like Tegan who see the military as this gaggle of men who like to shoot things and kill babies. Whether you agree with the war or not, joining the military is about sticking up for America and the people that are in it.  

Answer 3

You will probably get discharged. You will also be required to return any monies you have collected as far as bonuses. You will no longer have educational benefits or loan repayment. reading and understanding contracts is your problem. read anything you are required to sign, before signing it.

Answer 4

They expect you to be responsible, and thoroughly read your own contract.  It isn't expected that someone explains it to you.  Sadly many recruiters lie and take short cuts, and many other  not so above board things at the enlistees expense.  

This may not be able to be worked out, then again maybe it will.  If I were you I look for the worst, and hope for the best, that way you'll be very pleasantly surprised should it work out.

Best wishes to you, and thank you so very much for being willing to stand the watch.

Answer 5

There are two programs that sort of fit your situation:

Education Career Stabilization

  This would have been in your contract/annexes.

  Gives you a 2 or 4 year window to finish school.

  You must remain a full time student in good standing

Simultaneous Membership Program

  This would NOT have been in your contract.

  It allows you to be in the reserves and do ROTC at the same time.

  You have to apply for this with your unit AFTER you finish AIT.

I'm guessing that your recruiter is really an Active Duty recruiter, rather than a Reserve recruiter.  If this is the case, he probably didn't lie to you, he just got the two programs confused.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Well your not as thorough as you might think because you signed a military contract without noticing that your demands were not on it..and guess what..The contract you signed is the contract you will be expected to live up to.

Stop your whining and grow up. Quit wasting everyones time with your "smart elitist" attitude of your so smart and you have it all figured out, because it looks like you just made one huge mistake and I bet that really chaps your *** and ego as well..

Answer 7

tegan, i have read several of your answers and i can honestly say that i hate you.you are a selfish ***** who has no respect for people who serve in our military, and in your profile you claim to be a feminist, is that really any better than a racist person or any other type of person who cares about one group more than the other?oh pooooor women, you have it so rough!such as being exempt from combat and the draft, that must be horrible!your claim that most recruits are dropouts is absurd, the Army, which is the branch that will gladly take you if you've had problems in the past, has 71% of their recruits with a diploma, surely you arent stupid enough to think thats a majority?maybe in your warped mind it is.aside from that, the Marine Corps and the Air Force require a diploma and on the rare occasion they take someone with a GED you must score very high on your ASVAB, but i suppose you think that someone who dropped out, regardless of the reasons of which you have no clue about, do NOT deserve a chance to serve their country?yep, thats how America works, one mistake and you are ****** for life, you are a fool.

as for the question..sorry that happened to you man but you said it yourself you wanted to join and thats just what you did you would be better served to accept it, just be glad you are a reservist and will only about 40 days a year..which is NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING.

Answer 8

Well, what year are you in school? A junior? Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think you are going to get deployed till after AIT anyway. You are going to be able to finish up college maybe it will take time but now the Army is gonna help pay!

If I were you, I wouldn't make any enemies in the Army. Why are you being so dramatic? You aren't deployed yet. Yes, you have a contract problem. Go to JAG. This can be resolved. I doubt you are gonna get an out. It is just the reserves. One weekend a month. Deal.