Providing Guidance for Students Considering Military Enlistment Frequently Asked Questions

Does signing an enlistment agreement oblige a student to join the military? No. Most students join under the Delayed Entry Program/Future Soldier Program (DEP/FSP). This means sign up now, go later. Even though they have signed a contract and taken an oath, students can change their minds without repercussions. For detailed information on release from the DEP/FSP see http://www.scn.org/ip/sdmcc/dep2.htm, http://www.nlgmltf.org/ or contact the organizations below. Recruiters may attempt to resell students who are having second thoughts, however Army regulations are clear: Under no circumstances will any member of this command threaten, coerce, manipulate, or intimidate DEP members, nor may they obstruct separation requests. Military regulations prohibit recruiters from threatening, harassing or misleading students who change their minds.[1] All branches of the military have similar rules. Any violations should be reported immediately to recruitment command and the DOE. Can an enlistee be guaranteed that s/he will not go to war? No. The Department of Defense states There is no way to guarantee that. [2] The military now stresses that each Soldier is first a warrior, always on patrol, always ready to engage and kill the enemy and that there is no rear or front line when it comes to the enemies of today...You are a Soldier first a cook, an administrative clerk or truck driver second. [3] This directive applies to women as well as men. How much money for college can an enlistee receive? An enlistee could receive the equivalent of full tuition at a state school in the enlistees state of residence under the recently passed Post 9/11 GI bill. However, the enlistee must receive a full honorable discharge in order to receive any college funds. About 1 out of 4 get less than honorable discharges. To qualify for the full benefit, enlistees must have 36 months of active duty. This is especially hard on Reservists who would not be eligible for full benefits unless they are deployed for months at a time. Are there specific issues for young women to consider when deciding whether to enlist? Women now make up about 15% of the US military and many Military Occupational Specialties are now open to them. Although women are still banned from direct combat job titles, the Department of Defense states: In today's types of military engagements, there are no front lines, and every Soldier must be ready to defend himself/herself and his/her fellow Soldiers. [2] Women in the military can face additional hurdles: Single parents cannot enlist unless they have given up custody of their children. Women veterans are twice as likely to be homeless as their non-veteran peers.[4] Many women find that they must deal with intense levels of sexual harassment from coworkers and superiors. In 2010 the Army reported a sharp increase, nearly 30 percent, in violent sex crimes by active- duty troops. More than half of the victims were active-duty female soldiers ages 18 to 21.[5]

Is the military a good source for job training? Military training is designed for military jobs. "The reason to have a military is to be prepared to fight and win wars. The military is not a social-welfare agency. It's not a jobs program." -Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney For those who make the military a career, there is the opportunity for advancement, depending on one's skills and qualifications. However, the US Department of Labor reports that The unemployment rate for veterans, 20-24 years of age, consistently and significantly exceeds that for non-veterans. [6] As a result, the Department of Labor is encouraging veterans to enroll in Job Corps to gain salable skills. Job Corps is a program that is open to youth as young as 16, even without a high school diploma or GED. Interested students can enroll directly in Job Corps, rather than waiting until they return from several years in the military to begin their career training.[7]

How long is the commitment when joining the military? The enlistment contract states: FOR ALL ENLISTEES: If this is my initial enlistment, I must serve a total of eight (8) years, unless I am sooner discharged or otherwise extended by the appropriate authority. Any part of that service not served on active duty must be served in the Reserve Component of the service in which I have enlisted.... In time of war or of national emergency declared by Congress, I may, without my consent, be ordered to serve on active duty, for the entire period of the war or emergency and for six (6) months after its end. [8] Section C, paragraph 10(a,c) Are enlistment incentives and training/job assignments guaranteed? No. The enlistment contract states: "Laws and regulations that govern military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances, benefits, and responsibilities...REGARDLESS of the provisions of this enlistment/reenlistment document."[8] Section C, paragraph 9(b). Students should be instructed not to sign ANYTHING until they have gone over it with a guidance counselor or another person who can ensure that they understand all the clauses. For help with interpreting the contract, contact any of the organizations listed below. The enlistment contract can be downloaded at www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/forminfo/forminfopage1.html. What other options are there? Where can I get info on alternatives to the military? The organizations listed below which can help to identify ways for students to meet their goals, including money for college, job training, travel and doing something meaningful to serve their community. You can search the Alternatives database at http://alternativestothemilitary.nnomy.org. Download a FREE copy of Its My Life: A Guide to Alternatives After High School http://tools.afsc.org/itsmylife/ What should I do if I have concerns about recruiter conduct? Report concerns to Michael Battista at 212-374-6095 or mbattis@schools.nyc.gov. Then contact recruitment command of the appropriate service: Marines-516 228-5660 Army and Army Guard & Reserves-718 630-4645 Navy-516-683-2500 Air Force-609 239-4900 To help track and follow up on problems, please also report concerns to the NY Civil Liberties Union, 212 607-3300 and the Ya-Ya Network, 212 239-0022, info@yayanetwork.org Where can I get information that will help to evaluate what recruiters offer? A good article can be found at http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm. A good short film can be viewed at http://www.beforeyouenlist.org/ Or contact the organizations below. Organizations with good resources include: The Ya-Ya Network (Youth ActivistsYouth Allies) http://yayanetwork.org 212 239-0022 National Network Opposing Militarization of Youth (NNOMY) http://nnomy.org G.I. Rights Hotline www.girightshotline.org 877-447-4487

[1] USAREC Regulation 601-56, Chapter 3 DEP Separation Procedures, Section c. [2] Military Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions (Version 6.1) nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/20060205questions.pdf). [3] Col. Tom Hayden, US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) News Service, Feb. 11, 2005. http://www.tradoc.army.mil/PAO/training_closeup/022505.htm [4] US Dept HUD & VA, Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress [5]Suicides Among Active-Duty Soldiers Hit Record; Sex Crimes Jump 30 Percent. New York Times, January 20, 2012, Page A13 [6] Training & Employment Notice #31-10, US Department of Labor, March 29th 2011 [7] Training & Employment Notice No. 31-10: Veterans Career Transition Project at Select Job Corps Centers, March 29, 2011, http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3005 [8] Military Enlistment/Re-enlistment Contract USAREC 350-15 Compiled by The Ya-Ya Network Revised 1/25/12