Delayed enlistment, also known as the DEP, is a program used the United States military to prepare new recruits for service giving them a set amount of time between enlisting and reporting for duty. Deferred enlistment allows those considering joining the military to keep their spot in training while also giving them time to adjust to military life. In some cases, delayed enlistment allows recruits to opt out before they are fully committed to the US government.
Recruits in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force in the United States have the option of delaying their enlistment. Those who want to postpone joining the military often take their tests and set a date to report to boot camp. Recruits can have up to a year between signing the required paperwork and reporting for duty under the delayed entry program.
Those enlisting in the military on a delayed entry program often begin physical training to prepare for boot camp. Recruiters frequently set up training schedules during the delayed entry program to help recruits meet the physical fitness requirements before entering boot camp for those who do not quite meet the physical requirements for military service. If the requirements aren’t met, the recruit’s contract with the military is usually terminated.
To get into boot camp, you may have to wait several months. As a result, most people who join the military delay enlistment for at least one or two months prior to boot camp; it is uncommon for someone to sign paperwork and leave for training right away. Those who wish to reserve their spot for a specific period of time, particularly recruits planning to enlist right after high school, frequently join the DEP to ensure that they can report to duty at the appropriate time.
Because the majority of people who join the military are young, deferred enlistment allows them and their families to attend military functions in their community and become acquainted with the idea of serving in the military. Before reporting for duty, the DEP can provide new recruits with the opportunity to travel or visit family. Despite the fact that delayed enlistment is a contract, those who change their minds during the waiting period can usually opt out.
Recruits must report for duty and serve for the duration of their contract unless the government or the military branch they serve decides otherwise. While those who participate in delayed enlistment are technically required to keep their word, they do have the option of opting out. Recruits who change their minds must usually write a letter to their commanding officer (CO) explaining why they are unable to fulfill their commitment. The military allows people to get out of their contracts in the majority of cases; however, it is not required to do so. Delayed enlistment is still considered military enlistment, and failure to report to duty can result in prosecution.