So, You Wanna Enlist in the Army?

In light of the recent controversy over Army mom Lisa Pagan's return to active duty, I wanted to give you an insider's look at what really happens when someone enlists in the Army. The way the media has portrayed this event and others has left a sour taste in many people's mouths.

I've read the article concerning Lisa Pagan's story and the stance she took was that her four years of commitment were enough and that the Army had no right to call her back to duty since she had two small children. If you read the contract she signed, she didn't sign up just for four years and that's it.

Standard Army enlistments are one of two things. If you enlist regular Army you can serve out the full term (eight years), and if you don't re-enlisted during that time, you're done; finished, contractual agreement full-filled. The probability of you being recalled is low, it just depends on what the contract said.

Or, if you wish, when you enlist you can serve anywhere from two to four years regular Army, then in those remaining years you serve with a Reserve unit or National Guard unit, this is called the IRR, or individual ready reserve. The IRR doesn't mean you're done and no one can make you deploy. All it means is you must finish your contractual agreement with the Army by serving in the Guard or Reserves until your enlistment time is up. If you're recalled in that time, you must return; it's part of the agreement. Why is this so difficult for people to understand?

As a mom, I can sympathize with Lisa Pagan. I know how hard it is to take care of kids when the other parent is serving their country. It makes it even harder when both parents are absent. But honestly, if there are relatives then there is someone to take care of the kids. Think of the families with both spouses serving, and deployed at the same time or the single moms who have served selflessly while their children remained behind. The military has a provisional they call a Family Care Plan. This lets those in command know if a solider is unable to deploy due to the lack of childcare. The Army isn't stupid.

Enlistment contracts aren't much different than a job contract. If you were to apply for a job for the benefits, your employer would expect 'x' number of hours and days for you to full-fill your contractual agreement. But, if you suddenly decide to back out of the contract, the employer has every right to penalize you. Same with the Army, it's called a dishonorable discharge. And, ladies, that's not something you want on your record, because it follows you everywhere. Future employers will see this, will wonder why you were kicked out of the Army, and may not hire you due to concerns about your work ethic.

Yet, I think I'm more disturbed with people who jumped on the patriotic bandwagon after 9/11, whined that they didn't sign up for war, and deserted because they refused on a conscious objection. It's the military, you're trained to fight. While the Army gives you benefits, like money for college and bonuses, they expect you to hold up your end of the bargain and do what they say. You weren't given the cash for free. Why is it so hard for people to understand?

Sorry I jumped on my soapbox here. But, I think it's important that you to see how the enlistment process works. I've gone through it myself. Before my youngest was born, my husband and I seriously considered me enlisting in the National Guard. I ultimately chose not to, but I have an inside track should I change my mind.

It shouldn't be that hard to understand.

Comments

[Sherri]

Just wanted to say thanks for posting this! My son in in process of of seeking to join the army. Though presently he is fight his homeschool diploma. I just want God's will, He loves my son even more than I do.

I learned from your information, something I may, if the Lord say, will need to understand myself one day. Once they are on thier own they make decisions, and sometimes are not forth coming with information, much to thier own distress. Relationships are blessed when a minimual amount of conversation can ease the concerns of another.

Blessings
Sherri

[Winter]

Sherri, the homeschooling thing can be a hurdle. But I've never known the Army not to accept a GED. If this is all it takes for your son to enlist then take that route. I have some friends who went to an unaccredited Christian school and homeschoolers that enlisted in several branches. All they needed was a GED.