Do you know of someone actually removed from the military after they had won the lottery?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 01:55:52 -0400

I’ve heard that Uncle Sam asks you to leave the military if you win a multi-million dollar lottery. I can see why they would do that. But does anyone know of someone who was actually asked to leave because they won a big lottery? How does that work? How long does it take to move them out? (NOT that I won the lottery or even play it, but just wondering.)

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made Oct 17 at 2018 2:51 AM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 02:51:38 -0400

I had one soldier an E6 get released due to his father passing and him inheriting a very very large sum of money. Cant remember the process but have seen it done.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2018 3:52 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 03:52:18 -0400

You can always request a voluntary separation stating the reason.

Response by SSG Howard Fair made Oct 17 at 2018 5:37 AM

SSG Howard Fair — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 05:37:45 -0400

Only hearsay, a chaplain and a recruiter

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 17 at 2018 6:09 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 06:09:21 -0400

A WLD ? Won Lottery Discharge? Many years ago I used to dream about winning the lottery and dream about pushing buttons on those who always preached follow the regulation but did not know the regulation!

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Oct 17 at 2018 7:59 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 07:59:34 -0400

You will not be forced out. The military will allow you to end your contract (unless you are essential personnel) and grant you an honorable discharge. There's no reason to force anyone out who wants to stay just because they are suddenly rich.

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Oct 17 at 2018 9:02 AM

CW2 Michael Bodnar — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 09:02:01 -0400

Back in the mid 90'S, I was stationed at Camp Pendleton and a Marine I knew one a few million dollars. He was given a choice to finish his contract or be discharged. He decided to finish his contract and he ETS's out as a millionaire.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 17 at 2018 9:19 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 09:19:39 -0400

I've never heard of this, but then again, winning the lottery is so rare to begin with. I guess it's possible the Army could ask them to separate.

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Oct 17 at 2018 10:14 AM

CW4 Anthoney Lowry — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 10:14:05 -0400

My battle buddy in basic won $750K from the lottery shortly after we graduated. he voluntarily got out, wasn't forced out. Sorry bastard didn't even share any of it. I guess "buddy" is only half of the word.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Oct 17 at 2018 12:40 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 12:40:55 -0400

never heard of it but can see why

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 17 at 2018 1:43 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 13:43:14 -0400

My Mortuary Affairs NCO hit the NC lottery while deployed in Afghanistan. Gone in a week

https://www.stripes.com/blogs-archive/the-rumor-doctor/the-rumor-doctor-1.104348/can-winning-the-lottery-get-you-out-of-the-service-1.111633#.W8eZwNFMGhA

Based on what was discussed in the Stars and Stripes link, I think the Army would use AR635-200 Para 5-3.

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Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Oct 17 at 2018 3:29 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 15:29:23 -0400

Had a dude in one of my old units win big, was asked if he wanted to separate or not. Elected not to, was told if his performance changed, they would do the paperwork to see him out the door and it may not be an honorable. Dude retired years later from the AF. If you didnt know he was completely loaded, you would have never guessed it.

Response by SSgt Robert Bell made Oct 17 at 2018 3:52 PM

SSgt Robert Bell — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 15:52:54 -0400

Joining the military is signing a contract. If you received an inheritance or won the lottery it wouldn’t alter your joining. Worry about that after you win!

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 17 at 2018 5:31 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 17:31:44 -0400

Follow up on this discussion: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-it-true-that-if-you-win-the-lottery-the-military-has-grounds-to-put-you-out

Is it true that if you win the lottery the military has grounds to put you out? | RallyPoint

Or does it have to be a certain amount?

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2018 4:10 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 16:10:53 -0400

Plenty of rich folks in the military. Many Reserve/Guard docs (a few JAGs) are millionaires.

Response by PO3 John Keas made Oct 18 at 2018 4:18 PM

PO3 John Keas — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 16:18:03 -0400

Well...here's a story...of a lovely lady..oh wait..different story.

In 2004, there was an Naval Aviation Ordnanceman on the Nimitz.
https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=11549

Long story short, he took a voluntary Honorable Discharge. There are regulations in place for it in all branches. Just check.

Nimitz Sailor Wins $6.5 Million in California Lottery

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 18 at 2018 4:36 PM

SrA John Monette — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 16:36:55 -0400

if I win, I'm probably going to tell my acting chief to himself

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Oct 18 at 2018 11:10 PM

MAJ Ron Peery — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:10:20 -0400

I had a SGT who won the lottery. Other than buying his mother in law a castle (really, a castle) he didn't change. One of the most effective NCOs I had.

Response by SPC Bobby Coble made Oct 19 at 2018 5:42 AM

SPC Bobby Coble — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 05:42:36 -0400

Anyone recall the cartoon strip from years ago on this topic? The Far Side I think it was. PVT Smith won the lottery. Want's to buy his company and fire the First Sargent.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 5:49 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 05:49:51 -0400

What it comes down to is being able to buy influence. Are you using your money to buy PFT scores? Or FITNESS REPORTS? Those types of things. You could be Bezos rich and squared away and you could have a great career. Have a little money and try and buy your way out of trouble and be a distraction to the unit and you could be gone.

Response by SMSgt Tom Burns made Oct 28 at 2018 4:25 PM

SMSgt Tom Burns — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 16:25:42 -0400

Don't know of anyone forced out for a big lottery or casino win. See no reason to force someone out just because they have gotten wealthy and wants to stay in the service of our country.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Nov 18 at 2018 10:29 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 22:29:12 -0500

The navy calls it scuttlebutt. Thst’s water-cooler talk.. mostly fodder..
don’t let stuff like that get in your brain,
You got more important stuff to be concerned about.

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Nov 22 at 2018 1:35 PM

PO1 Scott Cottrell — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 13:35:36 -0500

Depends on the amount, E-3 hit the lottery (about 50 million) a month before deployment and was forced out. The reason was good order and discipline.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 7:22 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 19:22:11 -0500

Quick gut check on the question - can a wealthy person enlist? If so, then it's doubtful the military will force someone out simply for becoming wealthy. However, they may offer the option.

Response by Sgt Anthony Leverington made Dec 18 at 2018 11:44 AM

Sgt Anthony Leverington — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 11:44:54 -0500

Not sure about the lottery and I don't know how it is these days but, back in the 80's, one of the guys in my barracks wrote music. He got some of it published and made a butt load of money. He was not forced but, he was offered the chance to end his contract early. Being from a long line of military veterans, he chose to stay and that was the last anything was said about it.