Why is it so hard to go back to Basic Training after quitting?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 14:08:07 -0400

In September, my friend joined the army as a 15P. He left on 5 June 2018, but he end up quitting halfway through. Ever since he quit, he’s been trying to go back and try again.Although, he’s been struggling getting back because of something MEPs. They say he’s leaving one day and then he doesn’t for some reason. He’s not able to get a job because he doesn’t know when or if he’s leaving. He’s back and forth to MEPs and the Recruiter Station. So why is it so hard for him to go back to Basic again?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2019 2:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 14:12:25 -0400

It's probably due to the type of Chapter he received and what his RE-Code is.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 22 at 2019 2:14 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 14:14:37 -0400

Because it is expensive to train and equip Soldiers. It also messes up the assession commands fill levels and course availability for others so if they quit once what's to say they won't again.
All that Soldiers uniform issue, can't be re-issued to others and ends up being resold or destroyed for much lower then it cost to produce and procure.
That's why it's hard to get back once you quit.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 22 at 2019 4:11 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 16:11:23 -0400

1. He had a shot and blew it. 2. Service is always leery of quitters, it costs over $250K, I believe just for OSTU. 3. Why should they/we take another chance- he/they have shown they can't hang, should we waste more money?

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 22 at 2019 4:21 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 16:21:20 -0400

Well he better be lucky they working with him for quitting! So be patient

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2019 5:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 17:43:47 -0400

Because you're week AF

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Apr 22 at 2019 11:18 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:18:56 -0400

If he couldn't even get through Basic without quitting, he's not ever going to be strong enough to succeed in the real Army. The Army doesn't want quitters, so it's no surprise they aren't in a rush to give him another chance.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 22 at 2019 11:30 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:30:14 -0400

I really think anyone who quits basic is not meant for the military. That thought never went through my mind. 1966. Height of Vietnam conflict. If it was a war there would have been 5 stars.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Apr 23 at 2019 1:26 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 13:26:11 -0400

Any idea how much it costs to send a person through basic training? Transportation, food, uniforms, training time, not to mention the mountain of paperwork for clearances that gets done while a person is in basic? That's why.

Response by SSG David Ursini made Apr 23 at 2019 1:27 PM

SSG David Ursini — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 13:27:12 -0400

Since when do they let someone quit basic training? Never heard of such a thing. I saw a guy put out for trying to profit off other recruits, and one American Indian who had to leave the service to take care of family on the reservation.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2019 6:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 18:23:40 -0400

That's an awful lot of time to have spent in someone just for them to quit. The government is a "bit once, twice shy" kind of entity. I wouldn't be particularly interested in testing those waters either.

Response by SGT Mathew Husen made Apr 23 at 2019 7:56 PM

SGT Mathew Husen — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 19:56:53 -0400

Because the Army hates quitters.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 12:54 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 00:54:49 -0400

Agree with all of them it is expensive plane tickets to BCT, home (if take government travel) food, uniforms, equipment etc. but what I would also remind your friend is they can't fire him for going on military service if he gets a job and has to go to BCT on a certain date as long as he tells them and then notifies them when he returns and sets up a return date to go back to the job (unless he is Active Duty in which case he isn't going back more than likely) they cannot fire him. They can temp replace him but cannot eliminate his position at the company. They can though move him to a different position within but it has to have the same pay or promotion. If I got any of this wrong (which I don't think I did was briefed on it like 4 months ago so maybe I did forget something) someone correct and I thank you in advance.