Expert: John L - 12/29/2009

Question
Hello,
I was suppose to ship for basic in July.  The day I was suppose to ship, I was told that I could not ship due to a recent medical issue.  I was then told I would ship, and again that I wouldn't, the cycle just kept continuing.  By the second time I had heard that I wasn't going to be able to serve, I had moved on.  I continued in school, made new goals for my life.  However, now they are trying to ship me again during the worst possible timing.  It will also be a year after I enlisted and I was told that I absolutely have to ship within a year of enlisting.  Also, they told me that I would probably lose my enlistment bonus and possibly the College First Program.  Does this qualify as a breach of contract since it is written in my contract that I will receive those?
Thank you for your help,
Amanda

Answer
technically, you have to leave within a year of enlistment unless it was due to no fault of your own.  If you do not, you will be discharged and lose lose everything of course.  You have a choice to make, fulfill your contract or get out.  There ia nothing in the contract that states you leave at a certain date, that portion is not a binding contract issue, just a scheduled date.  Why is it a bad time to ship?  Thats is what I would be evaluating, and seek advice from someone you trust.