Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/7/2007

Question
I have a friend who is a first term Sgt in the Marine Corps and his EAS is Nov 2007. He tried to get orders to another duty station that was told to him to be available, but when he choose his top 3 thinking he would get his top choice, the monitor gave him his last choice saying the others were not available until 2009, although he had said the Marine could have any duty station on that list. due to the fact he felt lied to he told his MSgt that he did not want to take the orders his last choice, but the MSgt told him that his monitor had already cut him orders and that if he refused those orders his monitor would give him an adverse reenlistment code so he would not be able to come back into the service later. This Marine then went to his Career retention specialist and asked him if his monitor could do what he threatened and he said the only way you would get a adverse re enlistment code for denying orders is if you are a careerist, or are past your 1st enlistment. Even though his CRS told him that, the Msgt is still threatening this Marine with an Adverse reenlistment code if he does not reenlist and take those orders. I guess my question is, who is telling the truth. can a first termer get a adverse reenlistment code for not accepting the orders. any help is greatly appreciated for my friend.

Answer
On second thought, tell your friend to go to his company commander and tell him why he is not going to re-enlist:  He is being bullied into an undesirable job by his MSgt and the assignments monitor.  

Your friend is under no obligation to re-enlist, and should closely monitor the code on his DD 214 (discharge papers) to ensure he gets a correct rating.  His assignments monitor should have nothing to do with the discharge papers.  The discharge should be done by a separate section of the personnel branch.

His commander may intervene and help your friend get a duty station he wants.  However, he should never expect to get his first choice, unless it is promised to him, in writing, when he re-enlists.

Again, good luck.