Expert: John L - 5/5/2011

Question
Hi sir, I am very confused over this issue. I have been in the Navy DEP now since August of 2010. I have a Navy Reserve Contract. My shipping date says June 13th, 2011. On another paper, it said July 16th, 2011. The MEPS told the Chief that those dates were typos, and that I was shipping August 16th, 2011.
So preparing my financial obligations to met for August of 2011, for when I ship out, I get a phone call the other day telling me that I am on the June of 2011 shipping manifest, and that this August shipping date was a typo, because they had another contract for me going Full Time Support, and that was the date on it. They got the 2 contracts confused.
I also have a job I have been wanting to change too. I was told I could, and that it wouldn't be a problem, but now it seems like its impossible, although they've known this for months. I had to take the HM rate, because I was told if I didn't take a job that day, I couldn't get in the Navy. That was the only job I could take.
I want a job with a clearance, but at that time, I couldn't get one due to an issue on my credit. I am confused in what to do. I was told that I could walk away from the DEP, by refusing to ship, but they told me I couldn't get back in.
I got in the Navy with a tier 2 education code, and scored an 82 on the ASVAB. I was told even if I walked away, and went to college, came back and tried to get back into the DEP, I couldn't.
I think this is a really confusing situation, and I need to know the truth about the situation I'm in, please help, because I think I'm getting a run around from them, sir.
Thankyou.

Answer
The tructh is , you can refuse to ship.  Your Tier 2 education will be tier one once you complete 15 college credit hours.  You have to wait a minumum of 6 months to try and get back in the navy with a waiver.  They will want to  know why, tell them the truth.  They kep changing ship dates, recruiters teling you one thing but find out its another, etc.

If you are not ready to ship or not willing due to the job, then dont go.  To be honest, it wont matter as there will be someone waiting to take your job anyways.

As far as clearnace goes, don't hold your breath.  If it was bad then, it will still look bad on you 6 months from now.


The Navy could deny a waiver to get back in, but with your score and if you are tier 1 education by then, they probably will, if not, other services will.

As far as them telling you, "take this job today or you wont get in", you should have called BS and walked away, and go bak when they gave you a job you WANTED.

Nothing bad can happen to you for failure to ship.  no jail, no court martial, so dont let them tell you that either.