• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • USM Shop
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

Is Delayed Enlistment Program For You?

December 11, 2007 By admin

In earlier times, a person could walk into a recruiter’s office, sign up and ship off to go to basic training right away.  As a rule, that has all changed now, the military recruiter in modern times has to make a reservation for you if you want to join the Military. These reservations or “slots” are often booked up weeks or even months in advance.  For that reason the DEP, or Delayed Enlistment program was designed and created.

Anyone wishing to sign up for active duty, with few exceptions, has to first sign up for the DEP.  When they sign up for the Delayed Enlistment Program, they are signing up for the inactive reserves, and promising to report at a certain date and time active duty.  Most DEP enlistments are for less than one year or three hundred sixty five days.

Once you join the Delayed Enlistment program, can you change your mind?  Technically, you are signed up for a legal contract and the military COULD choose to insist that you continue and take you in spite of you changing your mind.   Having said that, the answer to the question is:  Yes.  Yes you can change your mind up to the time you report to MEPS for the second time and ship off to boot camp.  Once you report for Boot Camp then you CAN’T opt out.

Why can you change your mind up to shipping out?  Well it’s the policy of the DoD to allow a person to change their mind, even though often a recruiter will not tell you this information.  They have to fulfill a quote after all; it’s their job.  But it’s called an “Entry Level Separation” and is one that you have to request officially in writing for it to be honored.

Some recruiters will try and intimidate you, and tell you that it will go on your permanent record if you change your mind.  And frankly, if you have any doubts then DON’T sign up for an enlistment contract until you work thought them.  But it is important to know that should you honestly change your mind, up until the time you head for boot camp you are allowed to withdraw without any negative consequences.  If you change your mind can you still enlist in the future?  Yes, with a couple of conditions.  If you decide to join another branch of service, it’s not a problem.  But if you want to join the SAME service that you withdraw after starting a DEP program with, you will likely need a waiver.  That is not such a big deal but it is something to be aware of.

Filed Under: Enlist, Updates

[related_posts_by_tax format="thumbnails" limit_posts="100" image_size="sidebar-thumbnail" public_only="true" posts_per_page="6"]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jason Coutts says

    May 20, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    I would like to know what date I entered the Delayed Entry Program. Where do I go for this information. As I sought it out on my DD214, but couldn’t find it. Thank you for your help. Jason Coutts

Primary Sidebar

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Autobiography Compares Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Must Read: The Truth About The ASVAB Test Prep From The Man Who Wrote The Book

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

The Moving Wall: Women Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Their Country

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

Hire Military Veterans

Which Companies Are Most Likely to Hire Military Veterans?

July 30, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • Autobiography Compares Christian Living With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).
  • Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”
  • Peering Into The Future: NATO 2030 Initiative Announced
  • What Military Branch Sees the Most Combat?
  • From Belarus “With Love”, Yet Again

Search

© Copyright 2021 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

​Tips
Discounts
News

​

​

Join the USMilitary.com Newsletter Today!

By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions

x