If for some reason I need to go to college for the first semester, am I able to push back my ship date by a few months or back out of DEP?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:13:59 -0400

So I sign my contract tomorrow for Army Reserves, if for some reason I need to go to college for the first semester, am I able to push back my ship date by a few months or back out of DEP?

and if i were to back out (if possible), how hard is it to enlist again?

I'm just super nervous and wanna know all my options. Also my family is pushing me not to do this and it’s making me question myself tremendously.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 8:32 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:32:42 -0400

You need to follow your instinct. If that’s something you want to do, just do it because you can always go to school after basic training and AIT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 8:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:45:11 -0400

Your ship date is usually based on your school date. School seats are a finite resource. You can always renegotiate, with some difficulty, prior to shipping. But, that MOS you want may very well be gone.

Opportunity knocks once; you have to be ready to answer when it does.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 12 at 2019 10:13 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 10:13:08 -0400

PVT Private RallyPoint Member I don't have any prophetic advice. Youre faced with a decision. Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. It's all you can do.

It was my experience that once accepted to a college or university, you had latitude in when you started. I'd ensure that is the case. You may have to notify them officially your intent to defer or start late. As SFC Private RallyPoint Member says you ship date is tied to a training pipeline that may not accommodate you. You may have to go with another MOS.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 12 at 2019 10:55 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 10:55:30 -0400

You have to make a decision since, as stated by SFC Private RallyPoint Member , training timelines are pretty locked.

Now, my very personal opinion (PERSONAL OPINION WITH EMPHASIS ADDED). I would stay away from DEP and complete Initial Entry Training all at once.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 11:50 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:50:21 -0400

It was that last sentence that really got my attention.

Your family is pushing you to not commit. Of course they are. That’s a big step, a life altering event, and they want only what’s best for you. Plenty of people tried to get me to reconsider, as did everyone’s family and friends. But, ultimately, the decision is yours. One that you will, years from now, rejoice in taking or regret in passing up. I know many people that made a career out of military service, and many that couldn’t end their first enlistment fast enough. To the last, every one of them cherished their time in.

Good luck!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 1:26 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:26:42 -0400

PVT Private RallyPoint Member This has been the experience I have been witnessing in my Air Guard Unit. As others have stated, school seats are limited, and the Reserve/Guard components get last picks. The kids (because I'm old and they're all college age, they're all kids to me...lol) have been in the same predicament. One managed to get a BMT date over the summer, and made it back in time to enroll for fall classes. We just sent one off today because the training manager somehow had some strings to pull to get him gone before he had to enroll for classes.
What I have witnessed is that if the training dates can't be secured, then the training manager has pushed back their training dates to coincide with the end of a semester.
Another issue you might face since you are not regular army, is that you may not pipeline your training - at least, this is an issue with the air guard. Meaning, the recruits don't necessarily go direct into Tech School after BMT. Now, this could just be an issue with my particular base as all units there (with few exceptions) need Secret clearance, or higher, and the units don't want to send them to Tech School until their investigation has been adjudicated & clearance granted.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 2:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:12:54 -0400

PVT Private RallyPoint Member as everyone else stated it is all tied to what MOS they have available at the time and training for you to be able to get that guaranteed. If you pull out now and look later your MOS might change.

Also, it is not your family's decision but yours. So if you are worried about school call them and verify that you can start second semester due to the military obligations which I am sure you are not the first person that had this. This way you can make an informed decision and be at peace with it.

A side not if you are going to college you may want to consider attending ROTC there to see if you want to ultimately become an officer. Something else to consider.

Good luck.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 13 at 2019 10:45 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:45:03 -0400

1. Which more important 1 lousy semester or your service contract. 2. Ship dates fill schools slots, some schools have few dates, others run constantly. 3. You are already in Delayed Entry- talk to your recruiter to see what can be done. 4. Back out, and the enlistment process resets to the beginning of step 1.