Date

Commanding Officer (no name needed)
U.S. (Name of branch of service*)
Recruiting Office Address (see below)

Dear Commander,

I am currently a member of the (name of branch) Delayed Entry (or Enlistment) Program scheduled to enter active duty on (date). I am requesting complete separation from the Delayed Entry Program and from the (name of branch).

I enlisted in the DEP on (date) at (location where you took the oath). I was recruited to sign up for the DEP by (name of recruiter or recruiters).

I am requesting separation for the following reason(s):

STATE YOUR REASONS HERE. They can include:

• A CHANGE OF PLANS
• HIGHER EDUCATION (COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL)
• A JOB OFFER
• CAREER CHANGE
• MARRIAGE OR PREGNANCY
• PERSONAL PROBLEMS WITH OR LOSS OF DESIRE TO JOIN THE MILITARY
• LACK OF PERMISSION FROM PARENTS (IF UNDER 18)
• MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISQUALIFICATION OR PROBLEMS
• HOMOSEXUALITY
• HARDSHIP OR DEPENDENCY (FAMILY MEMBER DEPENDS ON YOU AS CARETAKER OR FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)
• CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION (DON'T BELIEVE IN WAR)
• DEPENDENTS
• DRUG ABUSE OR CRIMINAL CONVICTION
• RECRUITING ERROR (RECRUITER MADE PROMISES YOU DON'T THINK CAN BE KEPT)
• FAILURE TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL
• OTHER (SOMETHING ELSE HAS HAPPENED TO CHANGE YOUR PLANS)
• (It's OK to list several reasons if they each apply to you. As little as one or two sentences for each reason is enough.)

Therefore, I request separation from the DEP and the (name of branch), and I request prompt processing of this separation request.

Sincerely,

Name, address, and social security number

cc: copies to your two US senators and representative

Note 1: Delayed Entry Program, Delayed Enlistment Program, or Early Entry Program are the same.
Note 2: If this letter is being sent very close to your reporting date, you may also want to request, in this same letter or a separate letter, that your reporting date be delayed until this request for separation has been taken care of.
Note 3: If this request is denied (very unlikely), ask for help from a congressional office and from the GI Rights Hotline, 1-800-394-9544 or Maine Draft and Military Counselors (MDMC), 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951, (207) 525-7776, rosc@psouth.net.
Note 4: If you are scheduled to report and have not received notitification about this request, you should assume that the discharge has been granted and NOT REPORT FOR DUTY. Those in the DEP who do not report will be given an uncharacterized "entry level separation" or a "release from custody and control" and will no longer be considered in the DEP.

Note 5: Even if you don't send this letter to the recruiting command office, you can still get out of the DEP, simply by NOT REPORTING FOR DUTY. If you don't show up on the reporting date, you are automatically separated from the military. A recruiter may come the day before to "escort" you to the MEPS. Recruiters may threaten you with arrest or a dishonorable discharge if you tell them you aren't going, either when you send the letter to the recruiting command or when you tell them you aren't going. However, every branch of the military has a policy such as the Army's that says, "under no circumstances will any [recruiter} threaten, coerce, manipulate, or intimidate DEP members, nor may they obstruct separation requests." (from US Army recruiting regulations)

Warnings:

• You may be asked to appear at your regional command office to explain in person your reasons for wanting a separation. You do not need to appear. If you decide you want to appear, contact the GI Rights Hotline or Maine Draft and Military Counselors for details.
• Your recruiter may ask to meet with him/her. The recruiter may try to talk you out of sending your letter and withdrawing from the DEP. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEE OR CONTACT YOUR RECRUITER. A recruiter can NOT get you out of the DEP. Only a recruiting commander can do that.
• You may be threatened by a recruiter with prosecution if you do not report. This threat is illegal, and you do not have to respond to the recruiter. He/she may tell you that you have to report to basic training before requesting separation from the DEP. This is also false.

Addresses of Recruiting Command offices ONLY for persons in Maine who have signed up for the DEP:

Army: 33 Canam Drive, Topsham, ME 04086, (207) 729-4786
Air Force: 215 Commerce Way #1, Portsmouth, NH 03801, (603) 427-5051
Marines: 875 Greenland Rd. #A9, Portsmouth, NH 03801, (603) 436-9569
Navy: 495 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210, (617) 753-4995

If you live in another state, you can get the address of your local Recruiting Command office from your local phone book (if you're in a large city) or from your local congressional office. You can also call a local recruiting office (you don't need to tell them why you want the Recruiting Command address). If the local office refuses to give you the address, try another office or a congressional office. It may also be on your DEP contract.

For more information: Larry Dansinger, Maine Draft and Military Counselors, 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951, (207) 525-7776, rosc@psouth.net

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