Can I sign a declination of continued service statement?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:49:54 -0400

I am on my initial enlistment. I just found out that I am on orders to Korea with a report date in October. My wife and I just had a baby so this is not the best timing. Am I able to sign a declination statement or a first term statement and get out of these orders? I wanted to re-enlist, but my window doesn’t open until after I report and I have been told that even if it was before, I can’t re-enlist to get out of these orders. What other options might I have to get my orders to Korea deleted?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 6:51 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:51:00 -0400

The Retention NCO you must see. Answer these questions they will.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 7:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:58:04 -0400

A DEC statement will prohibit you from re-enlisting. If you decline an assignment, you may as well prepare to get out of the military. You can request a cancellation through HRC or suck it up.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2020 11:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 23:46:32 -0400

Theres a couple of options but as you may or may not know that doesn't mean they'll get approved
You get to take paternity leave which is about 2 months or so if I recall correctly
You can request a deferment too I think it's called compassionate, ask your chain of command first and work your way up if they dont provide answers, just thread carefully. In the end you'll always have to sacrifice family time but make up for it one way or another, be inventive instead of focusing in the fact that you'll be gone.
I had my wife travel to korea and stay in an air bnb while I was there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2020 2:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 02:07:47 -0400

A declination is a declination to reenlist not a declination for an assignment. You never have the option to decline an assignment, only the option to reenlist for the assignment in front of you.

Korea is a one year tour, unaccompanied. If you can complete one year unaccompanied from your report date, then there is nothing to decline. You will report to the assignment or be AWOL.

Your options are to ETS after Korea, bring your family with you and do two years, or to reenlist in Korea for a follow on assignment after Korea.

As for the first term statement you've heard about - it only applies if you need to reenlist to meet the SRR for the assignment (you don't), you are on your first contract AND you have four years from your BASD to your BASD You don't meet all three requirements

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 10 at 2020 2:20 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 14:20:49 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, as others in this string have said, take the assignment or get out. I agree. You knew such assignments were possible when you signed up or at least by the time you had been in for a year or so. My recommendation is to prepare your family for your upcoming remote unaccompanied tour and then ship out on schedule. Coming back from a remote assignment you should have some latitude in where you are assigned and to what MOS you will return. Re-enlistment will give you additional leverage. Take advantage of these options for you and your family. God's speed!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2020 2:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 14:44:37 -0400

Thanks all. I just feel like this is not the way for the Army to keep retention up. I’m 6 months out from re-enlistment and they stick me on assignment to Korea without an option to get out of the orders and re-enlist for something else.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 11 at 2020 6:54 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 06:54:53 -0400

Request an accompanies tour, travel and adventure is what you signed up for. Experiencing other cultures in life is an amazing part of who we are. You and your family will look back in amazement of the challenges you face and the life you led, the United States is awesome, the services provide opportunities to grow and experience life in ways most citizens would kill for. Look at the bright side of life.