Usmc dep program separation

[fremonde]

Hello, A little while back I wanted to be in the marine corp. My recruiter took me to the Meps center just to take my physical, but I ended up swaring into the dep program. Now I realize that there are better options for me than being a Marine. I have informed my recruiters at my recruitment center of my choice- I went in and told them. They yelled and such for an hour, then told me to go to the meps center on 08/13 this Saturday. I informed the recruiters of my decision, do I still have to go to the meps center? I cannot transport myself there as well as a mandatory job orientation that day.

Do I have to go to the meps center even though I informed my recruiters that I request an entry level separation? My shipout date is 8/15 so quick replies would be helpful.

[fozzy2]

Of course you are aware that the following does not constitute legal advice.


The short answer is that under the current policies of the U.S. government, you can just blow them all off and when you do not report on your assigned date the government will do a paperwork drill. You are not in the military, your recruiters don't have authority to give you *orders*. (this issue comes up from time to time in lawsuits, i.e. my recruiter "ordered" me to drive and I had an accident...).

Showing up at the MEPS could assist the government in processing your paperwork, and of course will give them another chance to convince you to go ahead and take the oath of enlistment (if you take the oath, it is a whole 'nother ballgame). You don't have to go.

You can write a letter to the CO of the recruiting district stating that you are not going to enlist and also stating when you told your recruiters of this fact. If your recruiters went overboard (threats, screaming) then you can address that as well. The military is always very interested in hearing why people sign up for DEP and then don't ship. It is possible you were "slam dunked", a process the military frowns upon for precisely reasons like this.

In theory there are laws that could be applied to people who sign but don't ship, but until there is a major shift in policy it is pretty much moot. In theory the Military Selective Service Act could be applied even to people just posting on this board, it is so broadly written. But that is a Supreme Court case for some future date..... ;-)

[fremonde]

"You can write a letter to the CO of the recruiting district"

Can - should- or must?
On my paperwork
a. For enlistment in a delayed entry/enlistment program (dep):

I understand that I will be ordered to active duty as a reservist unless I report to the place shown in item 4 above by 2005/ 08/15 for enlistment in the regular component of the United States Marines Corps...

that was for when I would ship to boot. They say if I do not go on that date I will be ordered to active duty as a reservist. Is that technically true? Will they order me too? And if I dont go am I deserting or awol? I am staying with a friend right now as I move- if I have no address or they cant find me am I deserting or awol? Sorry about all the questions- its just I would like to wrap this all up with no worries.

[badapple40]

Write them, tell them you want out.