Exiting the NZ Army?

**young1** · 7th September 2008, 21:48

Once you are a recruit and start your basic training can you leave the army if you don't like it? In other words without some made up excuse about family emergency etc can you just go and tell someone "I want out"

Does anyone know for sure?

**Toaster** · 7th September 2008, 21:55

I know for officers they brought in a requirement in the mid-1990's to complete a certain amount of weeks of the taining so to ensure you made a reasonably educated decision before throwing in the camouflage towel.

Simply call the local recruiter and ask. You don't have to give your name.

Don't forget - basic training is not a true reflection of the ongoing job. it's merely a testing period to see if you have the balls. If you want to join, then you are joining it for the career that follows basic training. I say stick it out and give it a couple years. Save some money and buy a cool bike.

**carver** · 7th September 2008, 21:56

i think you could.
do you want out?

**young1** · 7th September 2008, 21:57

My 18yr old son is doing his basic training and I have told him that I will not lie for him to get him out.

**sAsLEX** · 7th September 2008, 21:58

Generally they dont like to let you go during initial training across all services as it is not a true reflection on the job and people make rash decisions when put outside their comfort zone.

When you fill in a MD 717, the form to leave the services, the default minimum time to serve from that date is 3 months.

**Skyryder** · 7th September 2008, 21:59

Originally Posted by young1

Once you are a recruit and start your basic training can you leave the army if you don't like it? In other words without some made up excuse about family emergency etc can you just go and tell someone "I want out"

Does anyone know for sure?

Once you have signed up you will have a very difficult job to get out. As I understand basic training starts after sign up. The medical weeds out those that are not suitable so unless you have a condition that you did not mention or was not detected the chances of this as a a means of an out are slim. If you have doubts don't sign, if you already have accept your lot and get on with life. Not the definitive answer you are looking for but the best I can give.

Skyryder

**sAsLEX** · 7th September 2008, 22:00

Originally Posted by young1

My 18yr old son is doing his basic training and I have told him that I will not lie for him to get him out.

I saw a few leave during my training in the Navy for such good reasons as their girlfriend missed them........ that lasted a month after he left what could of been a long career!

Make sure its a decent reason he is wanting to leave, as basic is nothing like the job or the experience you get once out of training.

**NOMIS** · 7th September 2008, 22:01

Originally Posted by young1

Once you are a recruit and start your basic training can you leave the army if you don't like it? In other words without some made up excuse about family emergency etc can you just go and tell someone "I want out"

Does anyone know for sure?

u can say i want out sign you 717 form and off you go

**young1** · 7th September 2008, 22:04

He has told me that 4 left in the first week, not sure if that was before or after they did the big signing up thing.

**Jerry74** · 7th September 2008, 23:12

Originally Posted by young1

Once you are a recruit and start your basic training can you leave the army if you don't like it? In other words without some made up excuse about family emergency etc can you just go and tell someone "I want out"

Does anyone know for sure?

Usually it takes a minimum of 3 months by submitting a MD717 Release form,
However the army can do a quick release in special cases following proper approval.

When I got out it took 12 weeks to have all the proper forms and superannuation etc sorted.

If you are in a certain trade or critical manned branch release can be withheld or refused.

Think about it, its not that bad in the army, I had heaps of fun for the 12 years I was there.

**Jerry74** · 7th September 2008, 23:14

As above this is for after recruit training is complete, there is a chance of getting off basic training but you have to realise that the army has invested a lot of time and resources to get you there in the first place.

Give it a shot you may love the lifestyle.

**sAsLEX** · 7th September 2008, 23:21

Originally Posted by Jerry74

Usually it takes a minimum of 3 months by submitting a MD717 Release form,
However the army can do a quick release in special cases following proper approval.

When I got out it took 12 weeks to have all the proper forms and superannuation etc sorted.

If you are in a certain trade or critical manned branch release can be withheld or refused.

Think about it, its not that bad in the army, I had heaps of fun for the 12 years I was there.

Good movie on what they are doing in the US military at the moment: Stop Loss

Basically instead of drafting to support the war they are stopping any one leaving.

**FJRider** · 7th September 2008, 23:26

I did eight years in the Army... the first eight weeks are the toughest. If you can handle that... there's not much in your army life you wont be able to deal with.
As I recall, after about a week, you have to swear allegience to the Queen and...etc. Before that ASK and the door will be shown to you. After completing basic training, you may have a different view on life... stick with it.