I have been going through the process of preparing to enlist in the Navy (active duty), and have encountered a few problems along the way. I will attempt to explain the situation and hope that someone can assist.

I originally enlisted in the Army Reserves this past April as a Culinary Specialist (CS), and was told that, because I did not get the MOS that I wanted (56M) due to lack of training seats, that a RENO would be completed after I signed my initial contract. This never happened and I did a Decline to Ship in May.

I have since moved to a new area (WA) and have been meeting with a Navy recruiter to join the Navy, as this seems to be a better option for me for where I am at during this stage of my life. Plus, it seems more exciting.

My Navy recruiter attempted to do a SPF to obtain my file and corresponding information from the Army. The Army was giving him a difficult time with the requested SPF and then 3 weeks later (today) told him that I had never been formally discharged/released from the Army and/or the Army DEP program.

The reason I am confused is because, when I did a decline to ship in May, I was told that this was the only paperwork that I needed to prove that I was no longer attached to the Army Reserves.

I contacted my former Army recruiter and was told that I was in fact released from the Army. However, Army MEPS is telling the Navy that I was not released and am indeed still in the Army DEP.

The only issue I have with the DTS paper is that it was signed by the Recruiter and Station Commander, but not by a Company Commander or Battalion Commander. It seems as if the Recruiter and Station Commander did nothing more then fill out the paper to appease me and that they failed to funnel the paper through the proper channels (CC and BC).

What should I do? Any suggestions? I was told by the Army recruiter that he would provide me with discharge paperwork by Friday of this week. I am weary of whether or not to believe much of what he has to say because I have been lied to on numerous occasions in the past.

Thank you for your helps guys and gals! I am lost as to what steps to take so that I can move the process along and join the Navy, my true desire. I REALLY want to join the Navy, I just don't know what to do about the hick-ups that seem to be happening.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steven (Future Sailor)

I fail to understand what help you expect from us.

Till the Army cures it hiccups there is nothing the Navy can do.

I will add one thing;

It is nice to see and read a well written post.

BoatsBM1

Thank you Boats for your input. My real concern is why this issue is an issue to begin with. As far as I can gather from all of the information available online, one is not obligated to a particular branch - in this case, the Army Reserves - until they swear in prior to BCT departure.

Further, from what I have read online, I have gathered that a "discharge" is not required if you have not shipped (DTS) and have less then 90 days of service under your belt.

Am I understanding the DEP process correctly? That, because I did not ship to BCT, the process should be relatively simple to transition over to the Navy?

Thank you for the compliment, I try to conduct myself in a professional and well-mannered fashion.

quote:

the Army Reserves - until they swear in prior to BCT departure.

You had already swore in for the reserves and were obligated. There is no second swear in for Reserves, just orders to active duty. As for the discharge it is required for DET (Delayed Enlistment for Training - Reserves) as well as DEP (active). The Army can delay your discharge up to a year from the day you joined. So for example if you enlisted on 1 June 2009 then they can hold you until 1 June 2010.

You backed out on your obligation why should the Army be in a hurry to do you a favor. Secondly why should the Navy trust your word? We have enough people trying to join at the moment without have to be concerned that you will "change" your mind again.

quote:

Originally posted by navybound01:
Thank you Boats for your input. My real concern is why this issue is an issue to begin with. As far as I can gather from all of the information available online, one is not obligated to a particular branch - in this case, the Army Reserves - until they swear in prior to BCT departure.

yes and no. you still signed a contract, so they "own" you until they discharge you......they just never go after DEP drops for backing out of contracts.

quote:

Further, from what I have read online, I have gathered that a "discharge" is not required if you have not shipped (DTS) and have less then 90 days of service under your belt.

wrong again. that 90 day thing (actually 180) is the result of people not correctly understanding the Entry Level Separation process. You're still discharged, it's just not characterized (not honorable, dishonorable, etc).

quote:

Am I understanding the DEP process correctly? That, because I did not ship to BCT, the process should be relatively simple to transition over to the Navy?

nope. the Army still owns you until you are discharged. you signed a contract, the Army has to release you from that conract and will do so when they feel like it. Thay can and probably will take their time with this.

quote:

You backed out on your obligation why should the Army be in a hurry to do you a favor. Secondly why should the Navy trust your word? We have enough people trying to join at the moment without have to be concerned that you will "change" your mind again.

William, with all due respect, the only reason I backed out of my contract with the Army is because both the Army recruiter and station commander, respectively, were completely deceptive in their "promises" and subsequent actions. My failure to ship to BCT and complete my Army Reserves obligation was entirely due to deception - being promised one thing for 3 months - and had nothing at all to do with lack of committment.

The Navy recruiter I have been working with has been fully honest with me, and I trust his word. When one is making a decision as life-altering as joining the military, it is imperative that honesty be the key to every conversation; it seems as if this line of communication is open with the Navy differently then the way in which I was treated by the Army.

Further, as a general update, I contacted a LTC above the recruiting station and was told that the recruiter and station commander never forwarded the seperation request to the batallion level. I was assured by the LTC that this would be completed no later then Wednesday November 4th.

I will keep you posted after I hear something back from the battalion LTC. Thanks again for your input.

Steven

I just have a brief question in regards to my previous post. I have been in contact with the LTC at the battalion level and finally received the paperwork (Commander Notification of Separation and Soldier Election of Rights) via email this afternoon and will be faxing them back tomorrow morning.

My question is this: How long should the process take to finalize this so that I am free to join the Navy? Now that I have done my part, how long should I expect the USAR unit to take to officially sign off on the paperwork?

Thank you for your help, again.

Steven