An Entry Level Separation from the Military Isn't Easy to Come By

When you sign all the paperwork for a new job, you're signing an "at-will" contract, which essentially means that you can leave "at will" and the employer can fire you "at will." Such is not the case when you sign up for military service.

When you join the military, you're signing a contract promising the United States of America a minimum of eight years of your life - from two to four years of active duty plus four to six years in the inactive reserves, where you can be called back into active duty at any time. Lots of people join the military believing that it will be the adventure the commercials promise it will be. For some - maybe even most - it probably is, but for the select few who decide military life isn't for them, getting out of their contracts is on a par with trying to pull a bad tooth out with a pair of pliers: It can be done, but it will be painful, and it won't be pretty.

First of all, a recruit has to come to the realization that military life is not for him within the first 180 days of basic training, which depending on the branch of service, could be at least 8 1/2 weeks long. Even then, there's no guarantee that he'll get to leave. His superiors have to determine the kind of discharge he should receive. With an entry level separation, the superior says, " I haven't had sufficient time to assess the recruit's personality or abilities. He's still at the entry level." That's it. Conversely, if the recruit whined and complained and generally made a nuisance of himself because he sorely regretted his mistake, his superior could just as easily say that the recruit displayed "conduct unbecoming" and a separation "under other than honorable conditions" could be given instead. This is very bad indeed because it will effect the recruit's ability to get a job once he returns to civilian life.

It's been rumored that after serving about two years or more, a serviceman can transfer from full active duty to the Reserves or National Guard. According to an Army recruiter I spoke with - who wanted to remain anonymous - that is not the case. It's possible, but not probable. Naturally, going from reserve or National Guard status to full active duty is much easier.

There usually has to be some incredible need for the military to allow an active duty serviceman to transfer to Reserve or National Guard duty, like "my dad died, my mom's an invalid and there's absolutely no one else but me to take care of my younger brother and sister." Again, I have it on good authority that some branches of the service won't let you out even then. And in these times of war, it's unlikely that any branch of the service would be willing to let someone go without a fight.

A lot of money is invested in feeding, clothing, sheltering and training military recruits. If there's any doubt whatsoever in your mind, go to sites like Military.com and learn all that you can about military life and what you can expect from basic training to technical training school to your first duty station. Each branch of the service has its own Web site and some even have videos. The Air Force has a series of videos that show what Airmen go through during basic training. It's not like in the old days. Now even they are expected to go through some kind of simulated combat training, complete with rifles and muddy training courses.

Joining the military is more than a notion and shouldn't be taken lightly. Talk to people, other than your recruiter, who have been or are still in the military. Ask them what it's like. If you don't know anyone personally, Military.com has a forum you can visit and see what other people are saying about their experiences. Research the military as thoroughly as you would any other employer. This is eight years of your life you're playing with, and the consequences of getting out early could be ruinous.