Sample Chapters
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Chapter 4: The Delayed Enlistment Program
- For a quick overview of getting out of the Delayed Entry Program, see The GI Rights Hotline fact sheet.
Counseling
Recruiters use the Delayed Entry Program to sell the military much the same way other sales people use lay-away plans. The recruiting version of "Buy now and pay nothing for six months!" is, "Sign now, don't report for up to a year!" When recruits experience "buyer's remorse," recruiters work hard to resell them on military duty. Recruiters will pressure teenage recruits with talk of service to their country and the importance of the oath of enlistment. Even though recruiting commands forbid threatening involuntary activation, some recruiters will go so far as to threaten arrest or large fines if the recruit does not report for active duty. Recruiters have also been known to tell members of the Delayed Enlistment Program that they must fail high school or get pregnant to be released form their military obligation.
Many recruits are aware that they are being sold on military service, but do not know where to find alternative views and information on the military. Recruits may be unsure about other ways to get the benefits they enlisted for -- such as money for college, skills training, travel, etc. CCCO literature is available that discusses the ineffectiveness of many military benefits and alternative methods of finding money for college.
Recruiters work hard to keep Delayed Entry Program members loyal, positive in attitude, and fully eligible. The Army categorizes Delayed Enlistment Program "losses" as "avoidable" or "unavoidable."1 Recruiters are under a great deal of pressure to resell recruits who request separation for avoidable reasons, such as failure to graduate, failure to report, personal problems, apathy, overweight or underweight, and even conscientious objection. Unavoidable losses are, for example, a medical disqualification, pregnancy, acceptance of scholarship or pursuit of higher education, and training to become an ordained minister. The recruiter may pressure a member of the Delayed Entry Program to remain in the program, but it is not the recruiter's decision whether or not to release the recruit. Only the recruiter's commander has the authority to approve a discharge.
Some recruits may be able to articulate clearly why they no longer want to join the military. Others may need help explaining why they no longer wish to be members of the military. Be creative in putting together a claim. The reasons why are not as important as the recruit's ability to repeatedly state them clearly and consistently. It is particularly tough for recruits whose families, and other important people in their lives, want them to join.
If there is only a short period of time before a Delayed Enlistment Program member's reporting date, include a request for a delay together with the request for separation. Any Delayed Entry Program member whose reporting date is less than 365 days from the date of enlistment in the Delayed Enlistment Program can request an extension of their reporting date. Regulations do not permit recruits to stay in the Delayed Entry Program for a period longer than 365 days.2 Because, as of 1997, military policy forbids involuntarily activation of Delayed Enlistment Program members, the 365-day deadline is more of a deadline for the recruiting command to clear things up rather than any threat of a Delayed Entry Program member's forcible activation. A request for an extension will likely result in the loss of enlistment guarantees, such as a particular school or training.
Promoting Counseling Services
The military recruits from nearly every community in the United States (and in some communities outside of the US as well). Over 90% of recruits enter the military through the Delayed Enlistment Program -- therefore members of the Delayed Entry Program are everywhere. Many of those teenagers regret their decision to enlist, and need to know about the process for requesting discharge. But members of the Delayed Enlistment Program will not know how to get out unless they know where to find you!
CCCO has flyers to post, as well as ad copy for placement in a local high school paper (or another local paper that youth are likely to read). Find out where young people hang out, and make materials available there. Get to know local guidance counselors who often know of people who need help getting released from the Delayed Entry Program.
