Can You Quit Military?
The military serves as a vital component of a nation’s defense mechanisms, with individuals from across the world joining its forces to protect their country from external threats. However, for some, the time may come when they opt to leave the military environment and return to civilian life. This raises the pivotal question: Can you quit the military?
Direct Answers
Yes, it is possible to quit the military. Military personnel in the United States, under the All-Volunteer Force (AVF), are free to discontinue their service at designated times, subject to procedures and guidelines. The Military Selective Service Act is the law that governs the administration of the American military forces. According to U.S. Code Title 50, Section 3671, "Involuntary enlistment as a military service member to serve a term of training and active duty" prohibits involuntary extension of a career beyond the initial term .
Types of Mandatory Military Service
The possibility of quitting the military raises questions about the types of mandatory military service. Governments worldwide implement various systems related to mandatory military service and enlistment. In addition to active duty, members may serve in the various branches, such as coast guard, naval reserve (USN), and navy reserve. The Reserve Component, consists of individuals who are neither on active duty nor called to active duty but belong to an active duty combatant command.
Not all military personnel are full-time, active-duty member. Many are part time, working in various job roles or as parttime reservists. Warrant Officers, Medics, and Air Traffic Controllers are amongst the roles that are subject to active duty.
Under the military’s "Involuntary Enlistment" regulations, members remain in the military until complete their active duty service has been fully completed. With the passage of time to the full completion of contract, individuals are no obligation to stay in the defense forces. Active-Reserve Duty programs allow soldiers to continue pursuing their professional careers while dedicating their time to this military work.
Service Commitment
In nations with mandatory military service requirement, members are typically contractually obligated to serve after completing a certain period while in training. This, in many cases, limits the individual’s ability, to opt out of and leave military service. Laws and regulations vary between militaries. For civilians, in the United Sates, the Patriot Act extended the maximum period of enrollment in a military academy 5 years.
Enlistment Contracts
Not all members of the active-duty force are bound legally to a specific period term. For those who leave the military, it isn’t an easy decision the military requires a minimum-term commitment to serve. At the beginning of a four-year period, an infantryman (US Army combat soldier) may have difficulty quitting before the term begins. For those who were enlisted and have completed minimum term commitments, the term of active duty ends within the terms of their appointment.
Discharge Classification
Members of the united states armed forces may ask for voluntary discharge. Not all voluntary discharges or resignations are granted from the United States Armed Service. If a member becomes a medical discharge, usually due to injury or disabilities, he or she have the opportunity to continue an active role in the various branches, such as by becoming an officer in management or staff positions.
Active-duty service members are always subject to the Reserve Forces and Military Reserve System. Military discharges include Honorary Discharge, With Honors, National Defense Service Medal, "Good Conduct Medal the Commendation Army Medal, and Achievement Army Medal which are usually awarded to all members upon completion of all active-duty service.
<Table 1: United States Armed Forces Discharges>
Discharge Number | Classification | Description/Reason |
---|---|---|
1 | Honorable | Normal completion of career |
2a | Medical | Injunction due to injury or service-related health issues |
2b | Khaki | Injunction primarily due to medical issues within the armed forces |
3 | General(Discharge) | Completed active-duty service with possible restrictions or limitations |
4 | Other-Than-Honorable ("OTH") | Dischared from the military prematurely due to misconduct, inability to fulfill duties, breaking rules, or failure during training |
3a | General(Deferment) | An individual was deferred from leaving the military due to age, rank, or prior service commitment |
Important Considerations
Before trying to leave the military the following key factors should first be taken into account-
• Service Commitments: Confirm the terms established in enlistment contracts
• Discharge classifications: Identify the discharge grade and understand the potential consequence
• Paying off Service Debts, such as student loans from the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance programs
• Counseling and Career Transition Services by the Transition Assistance**
• Post-Service Benefit and Assistance Programs
Additional information regarding the possibility quiting military service is highlighted below.