Im in the army, but have just been called up to go to Iraq. Can I leave the army? what are my options?

grenadier8408

It's a bit late to be asking that question now, isn't it?

Sure, you can weasel your way out of the Army, and leave your buddies in the lurch to satisfy your cowardice, but would you really want to? Think about it before you make a mistake that will follow you for the rest of your life.

People act like getting sent to Iraq or the Ashcan is the end of the friggin' world or something. It ain't! I spent my year there and came back no worse for it, and I'll go again if my unit gets called. Your Army Values Card(that SHOULD be in your wallet right now) has a couple of words on it that you should seriously consider: Flip that b*tch over and take a good, hard look at The Soldier's Code. Go on, do it! What does it say?

1) I am an American Soldier- a protector of the greatest nation on Earth-SWORN to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

2) I will treat others with dignity and respect and expect others to do the same.

3) I will HONOR my Country, the Army, my unit and my fellow Soldiers by living the Army Values.

4) NO MATTER WHAT SITUATION I AM IN, I WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING FOR PLEASURE, PROFIT OR PERSONAL SAFETY WHICH WILL DISGRACE MY UNIFORM, MY UNIT OR MY COUNTRY.

5) Lastly, I am proud of my Country and its flag. I want to look back and say i am proud to have served my Country as a Soldier.

You've already f*cked up on numbers 1,3,4 and 5. It's not looking good for you, GI Joe...

How about the other side of the card? Let's see here...

L is for Loyalty: Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers. Nope, you've srewed the pooch on this one.

D is for Duty: Fulfill your obligations. HA! You don't even want to go here, do you?

R is for Respect: Treat people as they should be treated. Does that include the people who will end up having to take up your slack? I doubt it. You Ali Baba!

S is for Selfless Service: Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Ummm...Nope, this one won't work for you, either. If you don't get this one by now, I won't even waste my time trying to explain it.

H is for Honor: Live up to all the Army values. Let's consult the Magic 8 Ball here...NOPE! "My sources say NO!" You still Ali Baba!

I is for Integrity: Do what's right, legally and morally. You're off the charts for screwing up on this one, sparky. You may want to SERIOUSLY reconsider here...

P is for Personal Courage: Face fear, danger or adversity(Physical or moral). Well, I'd say that the very fact that you're trying to miss a troop movement is evidence enough the you don't have the stones to man up and do what you signed up to do.

Millions of men and women before you have put on the uniform and proudly gone on to serve, but you want to duck out and go hang out with the likes of Cindy Sheehan. I just don't get it...

You'll probably get court-martialled and face jail time as well as a dishonorable discharge. In addition to the fact that you'll probably spend time in jail, the dishonorable discharge can make it very hard for you to find a job in the future.

hunting wabbit

you may refuse, and choose to accept a court martial, and face jail time.

Land Warrior

Welcome to the real world!

*****

You either go to Iraq, or to jail, your choice.

Pack your bags. You're headed for Iraq. You signed up. Now be a man and do your duty. Thank you for your service.

Justin

You signed on the dotted line and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Then, the Army invested big money training you, and you think you should just be able to walk?

I think they should let you go if you pay them back, because I wouldn't want you fighting beside me, but it isn't my decision to make. Oh well.

Nice Guy

I don't believe your in the Army.Any recruit knows the answer to your question.

slabsidebass

"big dave"???
more like "big coward"
go to jail

tallerfella

What part of "Armed Forces" didn't you understand when you enlisted? You have two choices, man up and do your duty, or go to jail and have a man up in you. They hold great contempt for cowards in military prison. Right up there with child molesters........

mpwife_99

Im not blasting you are all but I am curious as to WHY you would join the Army, knowing that deployments, war and sacrifices are part of it? I dont think you have any options other than serving your time and giving back to the Military as im sure you have recieved costly training, medical care, GI bill, and any other privilege the military offers. Are you scared to deploy? That is totally normal, who wouldnt be? You entered into a contract and barring any medical catastrope you need to abide by it. Its called Honor and integrity.. My husband is a career soldier and our 17 year old son just signed on to join the Army as well. While we were at the recruiters he looked at my son and told him straight in the eyes that deployments are a guarantee right now, as I am sure you were told and knew about it going in.. Id just put my big boy pants on and do your very best, get out when you are able to but serve with some backbone.

Jessica

I can't believe you would ask that? I hope you didn't join the military just for the education benefits because I think our governments money could go towards people who deserve it. Because there are other ways to get your education. You just need to know how to look for it. Whatever your reasons, you got to live up to your commitment. That's life. Deal with it. Unless you want to go to jail. Besides, who knows... you might learn something. I haven't been called up yet, but I don't think there is anyone that actually looks forward to going to Iraq either. So if it's nerves, it's okay.

cupid6980

You knew when you joined the army that there was a possibility of you going to war one day. You decided to join anyway. You were paid, given housing, used medical and all other benefits available to service people and their families. Now that your job is requiring you to do something that you aren't happy with you want to get out?! You should never have signed up! It's people like you that disgust me. You don't go into the military just for them to give you free medical and pay for college. You go because you want to give back to your country! I say you go to jail and deal with it, I wouldn't want you over there fighting beside me cause you may end up getting me killed!

Whats the matter you wanted the benefits but not the sacrifice to earn those benefits? Maybe you should have thought about that before you signed you damn name on the line. If it was up to me I would remove you from your obligation. You are dangerous to our fighting men and women, you self serving SOB!

msrdbone

Why would you want to leave the army? Did you not know that the military deploys to places such as Iraq?
Better yet...do all that you can to get out, rob a bank whatever, I don't want your coward *** working next to me or my husabnd...your not dependable..I'm a lady and have taken all t hree of my deployments in stride...grow some!

Linea

You mean, you don't already know your options?

Your G score must have been pitiful.

Edit: Good answer ArmyGirl91, and thank-you for your service!

Mrsjvb

you can leave the Army at your EAOS, and not before. and maybe not even after. Stop Loss is in effect, you know.

You don't get to just pick and choose where and when you go and for how long. Your Unit is deploying. you go.

DOOM

You think your special? You think anyone who's ever been to war wanted to go? Half my unit got stoplossed to go; do you think we enjoyed that? Of course not, but we went, because it's out job. I suppose you cold tell your CO that you don't pack the gear it takes to serve your country, but if you were my soldier I'd make sure you lost all benefits.

rclorom

If the orders you recieved were warning oders, or something verbal from your unit command, there may still be time to do something about it. I do not shame you for not wanting to go over there. Service here at home is just as glory filled and respect-warranted as overseas service, in my opinion. Soldiers do what they have to. If all you have received is warning orders, and you have had some time in, you can opt to reenlist a bit early. Choose a different MOS, or different duty station. Transferring out of your unit before a stop loss is imposed may be the only way. Check with your recruiter/retentionspecialist-if there has been papers, though, you're sol.

hussaen ali

Loosing your freedom for limited time is much better of loosing your freedom and dreams forever.

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