I joined my unit in May 2024 and found out that we are deploying to Iraq next year. I am a full-time engineering student and joined the Army National Guard for the benefits, and still have 5.5 years of my contract left. At first, I thought my leadership would be on my side since they had asked me if I could deploy, and when I said no they asked me to explain why I couldn't leave my university. I have recently been told that because there are not many people volunteering for this deployment, they will take the people in the unit who are green on everything and deployable. I have been told by my leadership that im "young and school will always be there. Legally the university has to let you back in if you leave for a military reason." I joined the National Guard with an MOS that I thought would just be a deskjob, I was reassured countless times throughout my enlistment time that I would never be forced to go on a deployment, but now I have a deployment to Iraq to worry about?

I have been told by my leadership to write a formal appeal on why I cannot deploy. What should I include to convince them? My school advisor and associate dean of students have also agreed to write me letters of support, but I am unsure what to ask them to include in these letters. I go to a very academically rigorous UC and know that if I leave for deployment, all my academic momentum will just dissapear and i'll have a really hard time readjusting to school again.

Does anyone have any advice?

During the last 6 years, I've posted "reality check" and "WTF!?" questions to this group about my various civilian DOD and DOD contractor jobs. The last year at my job has been just awful, but I've finally figured out that my issues with the DOD realm are truly irreconcilable (and that the problem is the DOD...not me). Knowing this then, I started applying to jobs six months ago. And...I FINALLY got and accepted a great offer outside of the military- industrial complex!! I vow to never work for the military-industrial complex again. I owe each and everyone one on this subreddit a HUGE "Thank you!" for all of your kind answers and insight. You guys helped me get through some pretty dark times, and you have no idea how grateful I am for your help. Please continue to help others - it's a REALLY IMPORTANT mission . This subreddit, its owner, and its members are AMAZING. Good luck to you all. Good bye, and God bless. 👋👋👋👋👋

as you can see by the title i am having serious doubts and i have been for a while now. i am very worried my mental health will plummet especially at bases like Minot or Malmstrom (i heard most SFS gets sent up to northern tier.) i want to back out but it feels too late. i let my recruiter walk all over me and gaslight me multiple times and i understand his frustration but he also has to understand my concerns and he doesn't. all i hear about the air force specifically SFS is that people love to eat their own and its basically a free for all career its every man for himself. my main goal has always been to go guard and not AD but my recruiter was so persistent and constantly guilt tripped me. He always said i was wasting time where he could have been with family or doing something else and it always made me feel bad about it.

And no information has been passed on to me by my PA or commander yet which as I understand it is how I'm supposed to be informed the MEB process has been initiated. I just had surgery for my problem, and it'll be about 6 months from now until I can put weight on my leg again to see how long/if I'll ever be back to normal again. I couldn't get treatment at my unit overseas through the military, the one Orthopedic surgeon in network and in country ultimately decided against doing an exploratory procedure to get a better look at the issue. Off post doctors in country had no answers either. I've been given 24 days of con leave from the date of the surgery. The surgeon I've seen identified my issue to be caused by chronic injury while in the line of duty and my medical records show that as well. I brought it up to my PA before I left, he refused to talk about a potential med board at all. And I was at or around 240 days in 24 months way back then.

Now that I've explained all of that, what should I do? This all seems wrong, I don't think it should've gone on for this long without a real conversation being had somewhere along the way about the future of my military career before now.

This isn’t to say everybody, but seriously, so many people are just straight up rude and want to hurt others. And nobody give me the “if you meet assholes all day, you’re the asshole” thing. I rarely meet assholes outside the military. Lots of people at work have been extremely disrespectful to me since the day I got to the unit (2 years ago).

I rarely talk at work, but I made a harmless joke and people were basically attacking my character and future reputation, saying “you’re not as cool as you think you are,” “you don’t do anything,” “in the future I’ll tell people the truth about who you actually were while you served.” Just weird and hurtful shit for no reason. They’re also Trump supporters and constantly bring up MAGA talking points. I fucking hate it here and want to blow my fucking brains out. People are incredibly rude, nothing makes any sense, these idiots pretend like they know what’s going on, and the insecurity in the air is beyond rife. Fuck these idiot losers.

I don’t know why I joined. It literally feels like I’m in an insane asylum.

What is with this? The military and military/DOD contractors are a complete shit show -- I've worked long enough in enough places to know this is true. Everything is a complete overly complicated mess. So, why is it that there are people who ACT like they actually have a clue about what's going on? I mean, do they actually think that we can't see them and their clown fire drill for what it is: Lots of planning...then things change... planning goes out the window... everyone scrambling to get shit done. Repeatly. Why do they act like they are in charge and know everything when they CLEARLY DON'T.

Addition: And why oh why do these pretending fools think it's ok to CONSTANTLY "parent"/instruct us? So annoying.

Getting interviews now...so my time is short!!

I get off of AD in like 3 months time, however, I technically will serve another 4 years in the IRR. Is there any mental illness or physical ailment that would render someone ineligible to serve in the IRR? I know it’s unlikely but I don’t want to have to show up to another muster or any other formation once I’m out quite frankly. I want to put the whole fucking thing behind me. Thanks to anyone who can answer this or offer their two cents. I plan on seeking therapy within the first few weeks of getting released from AD for a various mental struggles and for non-military-related reasons.

UPDATE/EDIT:

i found this amazing resource: https://couragetoresist.org/resisting-individual-ready-reserve-irr-recall/ on this very specific topic and inquiry. If you are like me and hate the idea of ever having to show up to a formation again after ETSing, despite having obligatory IRR time remaining, this is an excellent source.

"Members of the IRR are not under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) until they report for the Army’s evaluation for activation. Since IRR members are not subject to the UCMJ, the military has no formal jurisdiction to take action against IRR individuals if they do not voluntarily report—and there are no corresponding civilian laws requiring IRR individuals to report.

Note that this is a practical summation and not a legal declaration as military legal experts are divided on this question as a matter of law. The fact is that the military has never taken judicial action against an IRR resister, ever.

If an IRR member does report—even if only to apply for a waiver from activation—they can again be punished under the UCMJ for being absent without leave and unauthorized absence (AWOL/UA), missing movement, conduct unbecoming, etc. if they later decide to resist."

TLDR; I am AD army looking for any way out that won’t negatively impact my civilian life.//vent post

I am currently enlisted AD in the army and it’s tearing apart my mental health. I joined almost two years ago on a four year contract because I come from a really underdeveloped town and have no family support whatsoever. The only person I have is my high school sweetheart wife.

I joined at 21 and I’m now going on 23 and I was filled with false promises of prosperity and all the same propaganda bullshit. I don’t even agree with war or harming people for some old prick who has more money than I’ll ever see, I did it because I saw no other way out.

I realized my fuck up in basic but tried to tough it out until I got to AIT and one of my few close friends had committed suicide. I spiraled off the deep end and took it as far up as a little trainee could to go home just to go to his funeral but they gave me the middle finger. Ever since then I’ve had a deep rooted hatred and disgust for everyone I’ve met in the military. I got stationed at JBLM and I will say, I love this state, everything about Washington is perfect but one thing still remains, I’m trapped with no freedoms. I went on vacation on thanksgiving to go see friends in Colorado and got blackout drunk one night with them and I apparently cried for 2 hours about how much I hate my life since the military and it was only then when I came back yesterday I decided to start going to BH in hopes they might be able to get me out. I’m not suicidal but I’ve had thoughts since the anniversary of my friend’s death and nobody in my office takes me seriously.

They don’t believe me when I say I want out and I’m not reenlisting and keep pushing this bullshit for me to stay in. I’ve thought of every way I can to get out, failing the pt test on purpose, failing height and weight, requesting separation, popping hot on a UA, and lastly just being honest with someone who can get me out. I’ve started to become aggressive at work and to the people I work with, NCO’s even officers since I see them frequently as I work at brigade level. I don’t give a fuck anymore and they only now notice after I started going to BH.

My contract ends May 21st of 2027 but in truth I mentally cannot take it that much longer. My anxiety is through the roof all the time, I’m paranoid and cynical of the people around me so badly I can’t make friends and don’t even really want to, I’m beyond depressed and unmotivated, I started chain smoking, drinking more and my NCOIC only pretends to care for a little bit and then demands I be counseled for any little move I make.

Should I continue with BH? Should I just wait my contract out? I don’t know what to do. I feel lost and I know I don’t belong here. I did it for my wife so she could have a good life but even she can’t because I work 14-15 hour days and come home angry and upset which makes me upset at myself. Any advice as to what I should do??

Hey all, I was an Airman (USAF), still in inactive reserve until late June. I've been having a hard time coping with my service. I almost feel like I don't deserve to feel bad about my service because I had a desk job, but it still gets to me that I even had a tiny hand in harming anyone. I'm just looking for someone whose gone through similar and may be able to talk.

I’m in a bad situation, and close to enlisting. I was hoping to message someone who had or currently is having a negative experience overall in the Air Force, if you wouldn’t mind answering some questions please let me know if I can message you.

Thanks!

When I was in my mid-20s I was pretty lost and had moved back in with my mom. Desperate for a solution, I looked into joining the Space Force. The name was cringe and I hated the idea of being in the military, but the benefits were too good to pass up for someone with minimal prospects. After nearly a year in the DEP I shipped out.

Pros are the GI Bill + active duty benefits, and I only have a year left on my contract and will never deploy. Cons though? I will forever have been in the Space Force, an embarrassing name with embarrassing personnel. 90% of people here don’t do anything (and I mean anything), which on paper sounds nice but is soul-crushing in its own way. Many of the NCOs and officers are the most insecure and yet somehow arrogant assholes I’ve ever worked around. Incredibly self-important while having no self-awareness and belittling others. And now this clown branch with a clown name has to serve a clown administration. I feel shame for enlisting into this at all. I always liked space and thought working with satellites would be interesting, but I didn’t think it would be like this. At least with the other branches people don’t think you’re a weirdo for having been in them.

Rant over. TYFYS.

So the title described it all basically it’s been 3 years since I got out and I was feeling like shit and I needed to take action because I was dissatisfied with my life after I got out of active duty. Well I failed to consider two things I have gotten fat as shit and I really can’t run like I use to (I haven’t worked out in over a year)

So after having my IRR recruiter sign me back in I have received orders to report. I’m not fit to serve anymore imo and I think I just made a major mistake. It’s only for a year but is there anyway I can back out or is it too late. Also it’s only been 2 months and I’m ngl I miss weed.

I’m really just not trying to show up to a unit and utterly embarrass myself for no reason. Idk why I thought this was a good idea but idk what to do now.

I hate to hear this parroted by military people for a few reasons. It can be true in certain contexts however it’s overused to death in the Army (in my experience). The dude telling you ‘the grass isn’t always greener’ in regard to your prospective post-military employment situation probably joined at 17ish and has likely NEVER worked a full-time civilian job in his life. the NCO telling you ‘the grass isn’t always greener’ in response to your collegiate aspirations never finished college. Most of the time, people repeating this phrase have no idea what the fuck they’re talking about. Next time you hear this phrase, take it with a grain of salt; especially within the military. Personally, I think the grass will inevitably be greener for the simple fact that you will no longer have to deal with stupid military shit (waking up at 5:00 AM for PT formations, formations in general, random PT tests, standing at a particular position just to address another human being, getting yelled at for wearing a beanie, etc.) So, if you’re on the fence, just hop on over to the other side. The grass is greener and you were right all along.

Okay so let’s say you got out of the military after 4 years of active duty service but you are obligated to technically serve another 4 in the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve). Now, let’s say you are administered a VA disability rate. You are legally disabled and a veteran. NOW let’s say that the IRR tries to reactivate you/summon you back into active duty… can they? Or does your legally disabled status render you unable to serve?

I think I posted my story here but under a different account. I joined the Navy at 25, I shipped out on May 5, 2020, and got discharged on August 18 2020. Reason why I joined so late was because I never wanted to join the military. I was anti war, and my dad who is an Air Force veteran was a huge deadbeat. He was verbally and physically abusive, he gambled away the house payment and caused the house to get foreclosed. But I was struggling to pay for college, so I thought I'll just serve 20 years and retire with full benefits and not have to worry about college or the military anymore. During my PFA I failed my run by a minute and was experiencing terrible chest pain. I was diagnosed with a cardiac issue and was sent to RCU. During my months in RCU I was waiting to be seen by a cardiologist so I can go back into Basic Training. It was a vicious cycle. Before I could get cleared by a cardiologist I had to do a stress test. But I couldn't do a stress test because the cardiologist was always unavailable. They schedule me, but for some reason my appointment gets rescheduled, and then gets dropped on the day it was reschedule, so I would have to reschedule all over again. When I finally got the stress test completed I had to wait to be cleared by a cardiologist and the cycle started again. I couldn't go back into training because I wasn't cleared by a cardiologist, I couldn't get cleared by a cardiologist because my appointment would always get rescheduled then dropped. The RDCs just kept telling me to be patient and embrace the suck. But that's what I have been doing and I didn't understand why medical kept gaslighting me. By this time the gaslighting drove me up the wall and I said I was feeling suicidal. They gaslighted me some more and said that I was feeling suicidal because I didn't get the appointment date that I wanted when I was just tired of medical gaslighting me and refusing to tell me whether or not I can either go back to training or get separated for the cardiac issue. I was put into a psych ward and I was eventually separated for Depression, Adjustment Disorder, and some sort of personality disorder. But the doctor in the psych ward said that I was getting separated for the cardiac issue. My VA claim is 70 percent and I'm currently attending college. Sometimes a part of me wishes that I just held on a little longer and wait and see what the cardiologist would have said. I would feel less guilty about getting separated for a heart condition rather than depression. I also hate that I'm pretty much marked as a veteran now but didn't complete basic training. A part of me wanted to at least complete training because I wanted to feel like that I at least accomplished something. I have been in and out of college since I was eighteen. Completing basic training would have helped me realize that I am capable of achieving something. I still wonder if they knew that there was something wrong with my heart but didn't want to discharge me and only did it when I started telling them that I was feeling suicidal. My dad told me being in the military would have improved me, which I find laughable because that was coming from a man-child who abused his wife and kids, and had a gambling addiction since he was a teenager. Looking back on it I realized why he was so emotionally stunted. He joined the military right after high school, served 15 years (Or so he says. He served 15 years but yet his rank was technical sergeant. So he was either lying about the time her served, or he hasn't done a really good job during all that time.)

Hi guys. I’m a 25 year old male who swore in September 5th of this year and I’m set to leave for Air Force BMT in a few months and I don’t know if I want to sign my life away for the next few years. I’m currently in college for information technology and I’m set to graduate in 2 years and I’m currently working at target while living with my folks. Not in the best of spots at my age but I’m managing. I chose the military because I wanted to turn my life around but after getting a job I absolutely have no interests in doing (2a636) and my recruiter reserving said job a month before the date I told him I want to leave because of my term ending, I’m generally unhappy about the situation. A part of me wants to work on getting into a trade and finding a path without the military and another part of me wants to give it a shot and see how it goes. What should I do? I don’t wanna blow my shot at joining the Air Force because I heard if you dep out you can’t join again.

Don't know if this is the right place to post this but here goes.

I got administratively dishcarged by the military for mental health, they said I didn't qualify for a medboard. Fast forward some months and they want me to pay back part of my bonus. Fast forward even more months and it seems the VA disagreed and rated me at 90% and that I should have been medboarded.

Would a waiver on the grounds that I should have been medboarded given my medical records hold any weight. Is this worth trying??

Readiness NCO gave me this a week ago and made me sign a couple forms. One was about wanting another PEBLO, I think? The other one was to dispute LOD decision. I don't remember, I only got a copy of these 2 pages. Sgt told me I still have to report until things are "official".

How long out do I have to wait now that I've been determined unfit? It's already been over a year and I passed on appealing this since there was no need and I don't want to delay this any further.

It is just me or are most people in the military just really weird, rude, or have some sort of personality disorder? I have not had one good connection since i've been in. Their crazy always comes out.

So obviously, things are getting pretty hairy across the globe and it could theoretically be any day now that we’re called into some war I would imagine most people here don’t want to participate in. Personally, I have less than two months left before I start terminal leave and I couldn’t be more ready to gtfo. However, I have a feeling, knowing my luck, that I’ll get stop-lossed and have to serve longer than I signed for. Does anyone have a plan for how they are going to get the hell out if/when this stop loss happens? I know some people here have a decent bit of time left on their contracts and would be stuck serving if a war were to be started/escalated by the U.S. sometime soon. Frankly I’m not opposed to going scorched earth and self reporting as a weed enjoyer or playing the suicidal card.

I’m separating in a couple of months after a shitty 5 years of naval service and have been thinking of moving to another country down the line. How easy is it for a veteran to move somewhere outside the US?

Hey, I’m the person who self-reported eating a weed gummy with the intention to get out the Navy. This will be my last update for at least a while.

I signed my Adsep notification! I’m receiving a General Discharge (UHC). This is not a “bad” discharge, and an Honorable from my previous contract means I’m still going to apply for the GI Bill. I’ll get everything else regardless.

Legal didn’t have a clear sep date, but I was told “these things move quick” and to be ready for next month. I’m currently in TAPS (a class that prepares you to separate).

I did go through DRB and XOI, but after I submitted a sappy apology statement to the CO, he had a meeting with me explaining he doesn’t want to punish a self-report. But his hands were tied due to Big Navy policy and he’s just separating me with no NJP. Although I tested negative, they have to separate you off the statement alone.

I was referred for substance abuse screening and they determined I’m not addicted, but each CO decides whether or not they care about that determination. Mine didn’t. The lady at mental health confirmed my fears, and why I didn’t go the mental health route in the first place. She didn’t believe my story and belittled my reasons for being depressed and turning to drugs to cope. But it doesn’t matter, she can’t prove her suspicions and ultimately I still came out on top. Nobody in my chain has given me a hard time about this.

But they did move me out of classified spaces, a note for anyone who wants to keep their clearance. I don’t care personally as I hate government work. Might have to pay back some of my bonus but it’s worth it for my freedom. I have adequate savings

My mental health has done a complete 180 just knowing I’m getting out. My friend is letting me move in with them while I do college. Very hopeful

I took a HUGE gamble with this, and I was lucky it played out well in my INDIVIDUAL case. I don’t recommend this as anyone’s first attempt at getting out

Here for any questions. Thanks to this sub, and I wish you all luck in getting out/coping with the military!

Anyone on here smart on what the AF IRR looks like. For context, did like 11 years AD, now in the reserves for another year and a half. Getting conflicting info from Google…

TIA

I’m getting chaptered chapter 13. I’ve cleared sfl tap, cif, did phase 1 and 2 physical. Co has signed off, legal has signed off, bc has signed off. Now… we wait. My psg says I should get orders in a week or two and be out by holiday block leave. The anticipation is killing me. I’ve never hated somethin so much in my life as I do being in the army. Hoping PSGs timeline is correct

This is a vent post about me being a dumbass. I was pretty set on med school for the longest time, then I got cold feet in college and decided I wanted to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a pilot like my grandpa. I had the perfect resume for med school or grad school, I had lots of friends and family, and I come an asian community (not many in the navy).

So I go on this quest to get into flight school convinced it will help me reinvent myself. Now I’m in it and I just had the worst flight of my life and it’s just making me ruminate on everything. It seems like everyone around me feels a way about this that I don’t? It’s not that I’m not excited to be here, but I they have this drive where this is all worth the pain we go through. Me I question if I could have put this effort into something else.

On top of that I’m lonely on the other side of the country, it seems like everyone around me is already friends with each other, I go to work, gym, study, sleep. I have acquaintances here and there but that’s it. I miss my family, and no matter how long I’m in this godforsaken city it seems I will never be able to call it home. Yeah a lot of it is a me problem.

I don’t want to quit because I know I’m just having a bad day. The navy is exactly what I thought it would be, I knew it would be hard, but not a day since ocs goes by where I don’t wake up with some regret about the things and people I left behind. What if things could have been different if I never joined? I could have swallowed the regret of not pursuing this and moved on with my life. I also wonder do I have the mental health for this? Everyone else seems to handle things fine why do I freak out the first time I fuck up.

I remember back in 2007 realizing I clearly didn’t belong and my old beliefs quickly changing. I didn’t have a single friend and most people there hated me. I openly stated I didn’t want to be there and would frequently say controversial things hoping to get kicked out. I spent a ton of time online bashing the US government and finding people that wanted to join and trying to stop them. One time I made a girl cry because I intentionally let an American flag touch the ground during a stupid ceremony I wanted nothing to do with.

I even refused military discounts at stores and argued with them telling them I should pay the full price. I don’t know how many countless random people such as cashiers or waitresses that I would bring up how much I hated the navy and I only haven’t left because I would go to prison.

I remember when told the base therapist how much I hated everyone because they were stupid hateful rednecks and I was planning to eventually leave the US (which I did years later). He was horrified and said, “why have they not separated you yet?” He wrote a recommendation to my commanding officer saying I absolutely needed to be separated but it was denied. My own father was worried about my mental health and contacted lawyers and eventually a congressman hoping to help me get out.

None of this worked and I had to resort to pretending to be suicidal which I had to do twice. Is there any other group on this planet that would aggressively fight so hard to force someone that clearly doesn’t belong to stay there?

Could you imagine a sports team with a player that hates the team and deliberately try’s to make them lose forced to stay under threat of prison? How about a church with a fedora level atheist that has to go every week or he will get arrested and he constantly tells everyone they’re stupid? Imagine you’re in a meeting at work and someone keeps saying they don’t believe in the company and are only there because they would go to prison. Would anyone who isn’t insane see the benefit of something like this?

I could imagine this might happen in countries with conscription but I would imagine that even they probably only take it so far. Here in Canada, the military allows people that don’t belong to quit. I’ve told people here about the US military no quitting policy and they think it’s insane.

Ironically, 17 year old me joined being very loyal. It took being treated horribly and outcasted to change that.

The military and vets are not looked on very highly in colleges. I know a lot of schools have organizations for vets but I’m a CG vet with almost no combat experience I worked in construction and never held a gun. Could I still go back and be a normal student and not be treated like shit or excluded

Unlike a lot of people I really don’t regret what I did but I really hated going through it. I was one of those I want to serve my country type people and I will say I am still proud of what I did and won’t forget it. But holy hell military life sucks. Unlike a lot of people my family was really supportive and good at trying to visit me and stay in contact with me, especially since I am in a very desirable location, but they are also ready for me to finish up. Military life is what I fucking hate. Having to have your phone on 247, getting called back into work because something so minuscule was done wrong, actually getting screamed at, people who don’t give a shit, boot lickers and goodie too shoes, alcoholism, suburban southern good ole boys. I feel like I wasted away my late teens and early 20s. I was really exited to go back and us my GI bill to go and make up for lost time but i don’t even want to go to a full time school, since I’ll be way different then the kids fresh out of hs,