Expert: John L - 11/4/2008

Question
I wanted to know if I could back out of my Enlistment Contract with the Army. I tried to go into Military Intelligence and before my security clearance came back, I was told to go ahead and DEP in. Well I did and now of course I was denied a security clearance. This is also preventing me from getting any other MOS that I really want. I want to know if I am able to break my DEP without any consequences since the orignal job I signed for is no longer available to me.

Answer
The real answer is yes you can.  The Army is still all volunteer force, there is nothing they can do to force you to ship to bootcamp.

basically, it sounds like your recruiter tricked you, or was not honest to you.  If you do not like the job you got, you can be up front and tell him that you want a job you want or you wont ship.

He, as well as others, will try to tell you that you have to go, you signed the contract etc... it is thir job to get you to fulfill your contract, however, if you are not happy with what you got,  do not go.  You shoould have known if you had some stuff in your background that would prevent you from getting that job.  Your recruoiter should have known if you told him everything.


Bottom line is .. you DO NOT have to ship.

Now with that said.. think about other reasons you joined and the benefits involved.  You can still success and have fun in the Army.  So think about that too.  Discuss it with a good friend or family member who you think will be unbiased.  Then go from there.

Good luck