Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/14/2011

Question
I voluntarily left the DEP program due to an issue pertaining to the rating I was shipping out with, and did not want.

I entered the DEP back in 8/2010 with a tier 2 education, and with a few collection accounts on my credit. I scored an 82 on the ASVAB also. I had alot of jobs offered to me at the MEPS, but could only take the HM rating due to my credit issues at that time, which as of now, are taken care of and paid.

I did not want this rating, but I was told if I did not select a job that day, I would not get into the Navy. So as my only option, I took it, because I had to. Or so I thought.

A few days afterwards, I demanded a reclass, as I was told by another recruiter to ask for. They would avoid the subject, by telling me I would like the job, etc.

Since that time until a few days ago when I refused to ship, I always demanded a reclass. My contracted shipping date was for 6/13/2011, and I was told that was a typo, and 7/16/2011 was my date, and then 8/16/2011, etc. They finally clarified through MEPS, yet again, that my contract had the right date on it, and I would be shipping out 6/13/2011. Not a problem.

I became abrupt with them, and stern for the final time, and told them I was not shipping as an HM, and I demanded a reclass. They finally offered me more jobs to look at, and offered me the jobs I wanted from the start.

I listened to the Chief and the Recruiter in charge, and I paid my debts off, and had my creditors fax proof with letters of remedy stating I was no longer responsible for these debts, etc.  

The Chief asked me if I would ship out earlier than June if he could make this work, and I told him absolutely. The Recruiter in charge told me they had my back, and that it was all good. I was also told that the DAR they sent for reclassing me was accepted and approved. I was very happy about this.

I was also called into the office to fill out a form containg my financial information, criminal background information, and stuff of that nature. I was told it was a security clearance form, since I wanted to reclass primarily into IS.

After I was told it all looked good, and basically off the record was told it was unofficially official. They built me up for sure.

Later that day, I was told by my recruiter to call the Chief, and he claimed he did not know what it was about. I called the Chief, and the Chief asked me if the Recruiter in charge had spoken to me, and I told him no, that he told my recruiter to have me call you. He said, I guess they want me to be the bad guy, etc. He told me my request for reclass was denied, after I was told it was approved.

They gave me a day to think about it, and to let them know. I was basically told I had to ship as an HM, or leave the DEP.

After much hard thinking and consideration, I was hard to do, but I chose to leave the DEP. I am 26 years old, and I went to the Navy to join as a reserve for the purpose of transferring my Navy job skills into the civilian sector.

I let them know that I was not happy on my current job, and it would not make any sense to go Navy and be stuck with a rating I would not be happy in, nor in a career field I have no intention of being in also in civilian life.

I told my recruiter that I decided to leave the DEP, and go back to college, so my educational code will be tier 1 status, and not tier 2, and that I will be coming back after 6 months, and re-apply for enlistment.

He told me okay, and was not mad. He also told me that he understood, and that they should have done the reclass a long time ago.

I love the US Navy, and was very honored with the opportunity they gave me, but at my age, I wanted a job that would give me a career path. Thats why I chose reserve, and wanted to reclass.

After a couple of semesters of college, can a get back into the Navy DEP? Im told I can, since I left to further my education to return back, but I wanted to ask an expert.

Thankyou, sir.

Answer
Chris,
Relax, you definitely did the right thing.  I'm glad you stood your ground.  Nothing is more demoralizing than having a job you don't like.  I always tell my "employees" that if they don't look forward to coming to work in the morning, then I'll get them another job because a happy worker is a productive worker.  I might be the rare boss, but I've always meant it.

I can't believe they wouldn't work with you.  They must be hard up for HM right now.  I'll check into it.

Anyway, yes, you can get into the Navy after a few semesters of college.  If you'd feel more comfortable, go to another recruiter in another town next time.  It's perfectly legal to go "recruiter shopping" until you find one you like and trust.

Colonel H