This isn't about Japan, but I have a friend who was going to go into the Marines, signed the paper, but never went to boot camp.

I think this was a couple years ago. Now he and his wife just had a baby, and he is having problems with his job. He wants to go into the Air Force because it will allow him to be around his family more often. The only problem with that is, the Air Force recruiter is giving him issues because he technically signed the paper, but never left for boot camp.

I was told in my Compass class tonight, that the paperwork is not legally binding, that it doesn't come into effect until he shows up at boot camp...

My question:

Can anyone say whether he is still bound to the Marines, or if he should rightfully be able to go to the Marine recruiter and "drop out"? Will "dropping out" cause a problem with him trying to go into the Air Force?

I can answer this question... from experience I went through the exact same thing.

Only difference was I first signed up for the AirForce and later decided to go into the Navy.

Me and a buddy had agreed, the Airforce was a great path, and we wanted to go together. So I went down one weekend to MEPS, and got all finished. The following weekend, he changed his mind. I was like, WHAT, you are changing your mind on me NOW!!!

So after a few weeks, I decided the Navy was better too.. So I went to my friends Navy recruiter, but low and behold, the Navy recruiter was STUCK! He said, there is nothing I can do, until they release you from the AirForce.

I thought, okay, no problem, I will go and talk with the recruiter, and they will let me go.. NOPE NOPE NOPE... Doesnt work that simple.

The moment I went into the AirForce recruiter and explained to him my situation and I now wanted to join the Navy, he I think took it as an insult. He gave me the political answer, I will see what I can do.. but that is not what happened. Weeks went by.. No change. More weeks went by.. No change.. Meanwhile, my friend leaves for bootcamp without me. I was pissed.

So I called up the headquarters in Atlanta, and complained BIG TIME. The recruiter I joined with for the AF, drove me down to his bosses who were the headquarters for recruiting in Atlanta. I am not sure the rank of the guy, but he tried to give me the whole salesman speech about why the airforce is better than the navy blah blah blah.. I said, you can save all that crap, because your not going to change my mind. Release me. I have a contacted our family attorney and they will be sending you an official letter requesting you do so. They will follow up suit, if you disobey. He just looked at me and stared me down, like a pissing contest. I starred right back at him.. I knew my rights. Until you raise that hand the second time, to officially join, the one you do at MEPS means nothing..

So after a few more weeks, they released me.

Its a process especially if the recruiters that originally joined, want to screw you.

From what I was told from the Navy recruiter, is its all a #'s game.

Lets say that office had a bad month and their goal for the month was to reach 2 new members per month. Because those #'s were tallied the month before for a successful MEPS route / join, they would have to take a hit if I dis-enrolled, giving them a -1 for the month which they didnt want.

So my take is they probably got 1 or 2 to join the month that they released me so there #'s balanced out on the books.

Its a screwed up world and system. They control lives.. I understand I made a quick decision and paid the price, by having to wait 5 months to be released, but give me a break! 5 months! My friend went in September, and I joined in February. Do the math.

I would tell your friend, to first me polite, and see there response, and after that, and they dont help - HAVE NO FEAR!

Go all out on them. Right your congressman, I have mine on my favorites now. We have actually talked by email a few times, and I just said hello.. Never underestimate your power to make a change in this world. Dont let anyone tell you NO you cannot do something. If you want it, go after it, and dont stop until you reach your end goal..

Good luck.. let us know what happens.

Thank you very much Adam. I wasn't quite sure if it was the same for the Marines to the Air Force, but I forwarded on your post anyway. I really hope it helps him.

It's funny, because the guy is actually my ex-fiance, and I really want to help him and his wife and kid now.

Just talked to my friend, he told me all that info really helped him out, and he got out of the "contract" with the Marines, even though the Marine recruiter tried to get him back in. XD

He can go into the Air Force whenever he loses 10 lbs.


THANK YOU ADAM!!