Does the Army do a voluntary separation if the soldier doesn’t want to be in anymore, but they are not a bad soldier?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 12:09:31 -0500

So I don’t know if this is a dumb question but does the army do a voluntary separation if the soldier doesn’t want to be in anymore but they are not a bad soldier?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2021 1:02 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 13:02:00 -0500

Do you remember the contract that you signed when you enlisted? What do you think the answer is to your question?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, MSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 30 at 2021 1:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 13:35:01 -0500

Are you the one who wants to be a quitter?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 30 at 2021 1:50 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 13:50:04 -0500

1. Tough, 2. They don't have too.3. Don't screw trying and you can ETS as a SPC, and not a PV@

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2021 1:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 13:50:57 -0500

You used to be able to say you were gay, but not anymore.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2021 2:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 14:41:38 -0500

Yes it's called an ETS. The Soldier volunteered for that specific amount of time. The only time you can be involuntarily retained is for a court martial.

As for breaking your contract, can you just walk out of any other contract because you just don't want to be in the contract anymore? No, you can't. That's why it's a contract. If you were commissioned or on an indef reenlistment you can voluntarily separate at any time.

Since you're on here asking questions, it means you're looking for someone to tell you what you are hoping to hear. Rather than get led down a rabbit hole of people suggesting you can switch to the Reserves, or compassionate release, or talking to your chaplain - all of which are not true, go straight to the source. AR 635-200 has every single authorized reason for separation of an enlisted Soldier.

Response by SFC Keith Gardner made Jan 30 at 2021 3:12 PM

SFC Keith Gardner — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 15:12:32 -0500

The best answer is: avoid any separation that doesn’t include an Honorable Discharge! If the Army decides it suddenly has way too many Specialists in the total force they occasionally offer up an early separation program. That’s pretty rare though. Your best option is probably to ride out your enlistment and just ETS. It really depends on why you want to get out and what your plans are once you separate. If your answer to one or more of these questions is “I don’t know” you’ve got a problem. The Army spent a lot of time and money training you and they’d like something in return.

You joined for a reason, what was it? You’re looking for an early out, why? And most importantly, what are you going to do when you get out?

Make a plan and then execute the plan. Did the Army give you a new skill set that will land you a better job? Is there training and education available to you in the Army that can better prepare you for life back in the world ? The answer is yes. Have you you saved up some seed money for your transition? If not, than start. What are the push/pull factors weighing on your shoulders?

Since you’re “not a bad Soldier” then maybe you’re a good Soldier. Just keep your head high, do your job, fire your weapon true, pass your APFT and piss in the bottle with confidence. But don’t just ride out your enlistment. Prepare yourself for life on the other side. Good luck.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jan 30 at 2021 5:18 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 17:18:17 -0500

You signed the contract, right? You agreed to serve for x number of years. Nobody made you sign, you did it yourself. They have money invested in you to make you a soldier and in return the government expects you to live up to your end of the bargain. There were times I didn't really want to finish my enlistment but I did. I also wasn't willing to take anything less than an Honorable Discharge. That meant doing my time.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jan 30 at 2021 5:21 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 17:21:34 -0500

Huh? Umm, I know I’m old but, isn’t there an enlistment contract?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 30 at 2021 9:24 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 21:24:13 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member No, not in reality for enlisted.
Officers who have no service obligations can pull the pin at any time. Enlisted even if they have no remaining service obligations still must serve their remaining enlistment time unless they are at or past a retirement time in service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2021 10:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 22:52:03 -0500

As stated - it's called your ETS date. You signed a contract. Fulfill your obligation and get out. Take advantage of everything the Army offers until you ETS. Make sure you have a plan before you ETS as well.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 31 at 2021 12:04 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 00:04:32 -0500

Let you leave because you don’t want to be in anymore?

Ummmm no. There are circumstantial situations that may allow someone out but those are all serious things ranging from medical issues, humanitarian issues, or being chartered out for one thi mg or another. They would all have the potential to get you out before your ETS but they are all reactionary results to very specific situations.

There isn’t a Golden ejection seat just because you are ready to move on to something else.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 12:28 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 00:28:17 -0500

Yes, a little acronym called ETS. Otherwise, no.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 9:55 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 09:55:46 -0500

The line is forming at the brig. These types usually get the full treatment because...it is a contract backed with an Oath.

Response by SSG Raul Alaniz made Jan 31 at 2021 1:49 PM

SSG Raul Alaniz — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 13:49:00 -0500

NO. next question.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Feb 2 at 2021 12:29 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:29:22 -0500

Just finish your term on the best terms possible. Learn to keep your commitments.