Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/29/2010

Question
I have been in the navy for almost three years come june 22nd 2010. I signed to be a rescue swimmer and was dropped through no fault of my own due to a car accident and then was sent to Norfolk, VA in Aug 2009. The 2 year extension from what i believe should have been canceled through the schoolhouse in Pensacola. if it was canceled how it should have been i would not be in Virginia because without extending for orders i would have less than 2 years as an e-3. now they are sending me to Afghanistan and i want to know if there's a breach of contract due to the fact that they didn't drop the extension before i left and gave me orders to transfer. i signed with the navy college fund but no bonus and i did not accept e-4 or any of the sort. i believe the manual defining extensions is 1160-040 in the milpersman.

Answer
What you need to do is go to the office that handles your records. Have these folks look at the records on file, compare these to the records you should have on file. If they in fact have broken the contract they made with you, then you have recourse. It sounds to me like they reclassed you dependant on the car accident. If you signed any paperwork following that accident, you might find your anser there. Remember ANYTHING you sign when in the military.. READ IT ALL fine print included!! Many soldiers, sailors & airman get into hot water or find themselves basically screwed because the failed to read what they signed. Dont ever trust the person on the otherside of the cournter to explain it to you.

Usually any questions about your enlistment can be handled at the records or military personnel office that services your base.