How does someone who has only been in 3 years separate, if it is even possible, without punishment?

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 01:52:02 -0400

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 5 at 2016 2:06 AM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 02:06:55 -0400

You signed up with a 3 year contract. Otherwise, man the f*** up and do what you agreed to do, or decide to accept the consequences of breaking your oath.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 2:07 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 02:07:26 -0400

SSgt Billy Hipp - Medical separation for major service connected disability? Sandy :)

Response by SPC David Glines made Aug 5 at 2016 2:32 AM

SPC David Glines — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 02:32:27 -0400

I don't think he was referring to himself it sounds like a a lower enlisted he is in charge of I could be wrong

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Aug 5 at 2016 9:49 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 09:49:55 -0400

you or this person seeking to get discharged early without reason? the question isn't very clear.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Aug 5 at 2016 11:48 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:48:52 -0400

Sure it's possible, in may ways. They could Palace Chase, get out after having a child, early-release programs, fail a fitness test, even just go to their commander and say they cannot do it anymore.

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Aug 5 at 2016 12:07 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 12:07:53 -0400

As a person in charge of this service member, I would get the medical officials involved and make appropriate referrals to get them help. I am curious as to why the intent is to find them a way out rather than a solution to the overall issue that will allow them to complete their enlistment obligation.

Response by SSgt Joseph Marquis made Aug 5 at 2016 12:09 PM

SSgt Joseph Marquis — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 12:09:32 -0400

Humanitarian Release. If the service member is having a Hardship that being in service will agitate , or cause to become worse than the individual can petition for early release. i.e. mom is dying or has died, you are the only remaining relative to raise a younger or handicapped sibling. You are the last remaining child to help your ailing parent manage the farm.... etc. It could play a part into the sleep issues and behavior as well.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 2:03 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 14:03:32 -0400

There are several reasons one can receive an administrative separation or COG boot, and even receive a full Honorable Discharge upon leaving, regardless of the years remaining on the individual's enlistment contract.

Response by CPL Anthony Slaughter made Aug 5 at 2016 3:20 PM

CPL Anthony Slaughter — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:20:52 -0400

If it's for some kind of medical condition, then its always going to be case by case, with the Character of Discharge as well as Reentry Code most likely decided by his Brigade Commander. But if its for other things like Failure to Adapt, or some kind of discipline problem, from what I've seen with chaptering Soldiers, its often easier to just complete his contract and then ETS.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 4:16 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 16:16:27 -0400

I would think one would have to have a very good reason, and a situation that has changed since enlistment. I am thinking hardship discharge.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 6:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:01:02 -0400

**Note: I will be using Army terms here, but the general ideas will hold true regardless of service.

BLUF: The best, and often fastest, way to get out of the Army is simply to meet your obligation. But if you must get out quicker, you're going to sacrifice--the faster a route gets you out of the Army, the less desirable the discharge will be. Routes that end in honorable discharge require honorable service, and are unlikely to happen quickly.

68W here. To address all the people here recommending MEB, allow me to be clear. The MEB is not, by any means, a way of getting someone out quickly or efficiently. Medical retirement boils down to a few things. You first have to prove: A) You sustained some type of medical illness/injury while in the line of duty. B) The armed forces or military lifestyle was at fault or the root cause of said injury. C) The injury completely and wholly prevents you from performing your basic duties as a soldier.

For many soldiers, psychiatric illness is indeed a very real and troubling issue that can prevent them from serving effectively. However, before going to MEB, Army providers will do anything and everything in their power to bring that servicemember back into fighting shape. If you suffer from depression, it's cheaper, more effective, and better in the long run to provide you with therapy and medication, rather than a separation packet.

Once all routes of treatment have failed (i.e. your soldier has gone through therapy, multiple trials of medication and specialty care, all spanning months and months of time), then and only then will medical providers consider MEB. And even once the MEB has begun, the average time to complete it (from when the packet is initiated until the servicemember separates) is well in excess of 6 months on average.

Some alternatives:
-Chapters. Many chapters cover situations where a servicemember is no longer able to meet his/her obligation for various reasons. Hardship, pregnancy, height/weight, failure to adapt to the military lifestyle, etc. All of these have varying degrees of impact on your separation. Ask your soldier: "How eager are you to get out?" If he wants to get out as quickly as possible, fail a drug test. That'll get you out in a hurry, although not in a good way. IG is a great place to start if you have questions about the chapter process; they are the SME's of the regulations and should be able to help you out (and, I'm sure, would gladly welcome a legitimate question instead of some E-3's gripes about his platoon sergeant).
-Staying in. Sometimes, "toughing it out" is the best option. The upside to this one is that it practically guarantees an honorable discharge. The downside is that you still have to stay in the Army until your obligation is up.

As a leader, I would simply lay out the options for your soldier clearly. Establish the routes of approach (MEB, Chapter, Staying In), and define the pros and cons with your soldier. At the end of your discussion, ask your soldier to take some time and pick which option seems most viable to them, and then pursue it. At the end of the day, the best you can do is open doors for your troops. It's up to them to walk through the openings you provide. Good luck, hope all goes well.