My son is under the impression that once you are at boot camp you can still get out if you want to. How can you get out of the Marines if you are at boot camp?

Answer 1

Once you sign up for say 4 years you have to stay in until your 4 years are up. If you do not and you try to leave you will be put in to jail until your 4 years is up if they do not add more years to your punishment of running not sticking to you contract If they are under 18 they can still get out My experience is specific to the US Army, but it may be the same under UCMJ. The US Army has available for recruits in training what is termed the "Trainee Discharge Program." There is a process by which discharge is accomplished, but the "encouragement" to remain with the service is strong. The discharge, if it is granted, is dishonorable or general, less than honorable, and can create difficulties in later life. As stated previously, if your son is currently enlisted and in training, and he should decide to go AWOL (Absent Without Leave), he could be listed as a Deserter as the US is currently at war. Punishment for deserters is severe, to include hard prison time, and potentially (although not likely) death--the last soldier executed for desertion was Private Eddie Slovick, who was shot by firing squad 31 January 1945 (the only deserter during WW2 and since the American Civil War to be executed).