What do I do if my mos is unavailable in renegotiating? And what can I do to get out of DEP if I can?

Elijah Rushing — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 21:48:58 -0400

I enlisted as a CBRN in June because I was under outside pressure to deliver. I admit it was my fault. I am in DEP until January. I want 68w and am renegotiating. What happens if it's unavailable? And could i get out of DEP without "no show"? I want this job.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 13 at 2021 9:55 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 21:55:50 -0400

So you goofed and want a do over- good luck- doesn't always happen. As for no show, they can just trash your paperwork and see if you try to start over.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2021 10:02 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 22:02:10 -0400

This is your first lesson in the Army. The Army will try to let you serve in the capacity they need. If you change your mind then it is not up to the Army to confirm. I would try to get what you think you would want. But this is the first chance you have to serve.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2021 1:35 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 01:35:35 -0400

If you’re fine with waiting, just wait until MEPS get a 68W slot. What’s a few more weeks or months compared to 3+ years in an MOS you don’t like. Also, keep in mind that you can’t keep changing up your mind though. Make well thought decisions and follow through with them.

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Jul 14 at 2021 1:51 AM

A1C Chris Pointer — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 01:51:38 -0400

If you don’t want CBRN don’t ship with it and tell your recruiter you’re only going to ship with a 68W if that’s what you want. Either they’ll try to work it out or they’ll drop you. It’s at least 4 years of your life so you should go for the job you want.

And I’d say the polite thing to do is to go in and talk to your recruiter or at the very least text or call them. They did spend however long processing you. But yeah if you don’t want the job and don’t want to ship you can just not show up with very little consequences.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 14 at 2021 7:01 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 07:01:29 -0400

Almost without question, if you no show you will be dropped. The fact that the game changed and you had a part in it (if I am reading correctly) speaks volumes. You should own your part and speak with the recruiter, there may be a way out of this, but not through a no show. If you choose to no show understand you will likely not get another opportunity to serve.

The Military offers many opportunities during and after the first enlistment.

Speak with someone who has served that you know and respect. Make informed, not emotional decisions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2021 7:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 07:31:22 -0400

It's very unusual that USAREC is going to let you renegotiate 68W is the second largest MOS in the Army so there are probably lots of slots. However you cannot stay in a DEP status longer than a year. If the job you want doesn't have a class seat that ships out in less than a year from when you joined the DEP, then you can't take that job. If you don't ship by the one year mark you are a DEP loss

If you are a DEP loss good luck finding a Recruiter willing to risk hours of wasted time getting a waiver for you the second time around.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 14 at 2021 9:30 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:30:03 -0400

Keep messing around with your contract and you're gonna end up a cook or a grunt down at Fort Polk or Hood.... Just saying...

Response by 1SG Jacob Brannan made Jul 14 at 2021 10:43 AM

1SG Jacob Brannan — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:43:27 -0400

There is a lot of misinformation here. First of all, if you opt out of your current contract and do not ship to basic training you don't need a waiver to enlist again, although it will make it tougher on you finding a recruiter that is willing to take a chance on working with you. Secondly, the way you end up in the Army has no bearing on where you will get stationed or what your MOS will be down the road. The MOS in your contract is the MOS you get unless you make yourself unqualified by getting a criminal charge, not finishing high school, failing AIT, etc. Bottom line, you need to speak with your recruiter. They can submit a USAREC Form 601-210.22 (Request to Change Enlistment Option) which has to be approved by the Recruiting Battalion Commander. If/when it is approved you can go back to MEPS to try and get a different MOS. At that point you have three choices: choose an available MOS that you qualify for and ships within a year of your original dep in date, keep your original MOS if none of the options presented are to your liking and ship out as planned, or become a DEP loss. To reiterate, though, this entire scenario has to be discussed with your recruiter and approved by the BN CO.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2021 11:02 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 11:02:18 -0400

You are in Inactive Reserves until you ship. Unless you disqualify yourself (mental, moral, physical) you are required to ship. The one of I lost in DEP of 86 I recruited asked this. I explained that physical requires broken bones, moral ends with a Police record, and that leaves mental. So he quit HS. Not offering these in your case. Talk with the NCOIC of the Station and work on a pool move for another MOS. No, they won't send US Marshalls after you if you refuse to ship, but good luck with ever joining in the future. I used that once though, when I got a call from a kid that was considering not shipping. He had a bonus and excellent MOS, and was working out of state. It worked, because he shipped. Do some thinking, form a plan, and execute. Sounds like you joined for a specific job, vice wanting to be a soldier. Be smart.

Edit. USMC has NBC and CBIRF. Not encouraging you to screw the Army, but you said you "want this job". MSgt Sweeney here on RP could add narrative on NBC. @MSgt Steve Sweeney. Feel free to message me if I can help. I recruited 84-87, and although things have changed I may offer some options. The best COA is work with your Recruiter/NCOIC and honor your first oath at MEPS, but it is your life.