Understanding Military Law: Dep And Legal Jurisdiction

The Delayed Entry Program (DEP) is a program designed to accommodate new enlistees into the United States Armed Forces before they ship out to basic training. Enlistees first enter the DEP as inactive reservists, then make a commitment to report for training on a specified date. However, they are not considered active-duty service members until they formally enlist on that date. People in the DEP are unpaid and are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

Military law doesn't apply to DEP members

Military law does not apply to DEP members. DEP stands for Delayed Entry Program, and it is a program designed to accommodate new enlistees into the United States Armed Forces before they ship out to basic training. Those who enter the DEP are inactive reservists and are not considered active-duty service members until they formally enlist on their specified date.

While in the DEP, enlistees are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). They are not paid, and they are not required to follow military laws. This is because DEP members are not yet official members of the uniformed services. They are in trainee status, and they have the option to change their minds about serving prior to graduation day at basic training.

The DEP allows individuals to commit to the military but ship out at a later date. This program is available to those who are not old enough to sign the military's legally binding contract, have not graduated from high school, or do not meet the fitness standards to enter basic training. DEP members can use the time before shipping out to complete tasks such as graduating from high school or college, preparing physically and mentally for military life, and putting their personal affairs in order.

It is important to note that while DEP members are not subject to military law, they are expected to follow certain rules and regulations during their time in the program. For example, they are required to stay in touch with their recruiter and participate in physical training. Additionally, they must complete certain paperwork and acknowledge the restrictions on DEP enrollees.

DEP members are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice

The Delayed Entry Program (DEP) is a program designed to accommodate new enlistees into the United States Armed Forces before they ship out to basic training. Members of the DEP are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This is because they are not yet on active duty, nor are they official members of the uniformed services. Instead, they are considered members of the Inactive Reserve.

The DEP allows enlistees to commit to reporting for training on a specific date, but they are not considered active-duty service members until they formally enlist on that date. This means that DEP members are not bound by the same rules and regulations as active-duty military personnel.

While in the DEP, enlistees are encouraged to spend time at a local recruiting office and receive training from their recruiter before they ship out to begin recruit training and active service. This training covers areas such as drill and ceremony, first aid, chain of command, rank structure, and physical training.

It is important to note that while DEP members are not subject to the UCMJ, they are still expected to follow certain rules and regulations during their time in the program. For example, they are required to maintain regular contact with their recruiter and participate in physical fitness programs. Additionally, they must complete certain paperwork, such as the DD Form 2983 (Recruit/Trainee Prohibited Activities Acknowledgement), which outlines the restrictions on enlistees.

Overall, the DEP provides a period for enlistees to prepare for the rigors of military life and ensure they are ready to ship out to basic training. By allowing members to join the military at a later date, the DEP offers flexibility for those who may have commitments or qualifications to fulfill before beginning their military service.

DEP members are not considered active-duty service members

The Delayed Entry Program (DEP) is a program designed to accommodate new enlistees into the United States Armed Forces before they ship out to basic training. Enlistees first enter the DEP as inactive reservists, then make a commitment to report for training on a specified date. However, they do not become active-duty service members until they formally enlist on that date.

Enlistees in the DEP are encouraged to spend time at a local recruiting office and receive training from their recruiter before they ship out to begin recruit training and active service. Areas covered during this phase include drill and ceremony, first aid, chain of command, rank structure, and physical training.

While in the DEP, an enlistee is an untrained member of the non-drilling Reserve component of the military. They are expected to contact their recruiter every two weeks and hold one office meeting with them every month. Enlistees can stay on DEP status for up to 365 days, and during that time, they can participate in Army fitness programs.

If a DEP member changes their mind and decides not to enter the military before beginning active duty, they will be separated with no adverse consequences. There is no penalty for withdrawing from the DEP, and people who change their minds about joining the military are under no obligation to report for active duty.

DEP members are not paid

The Delayed Entry Program (DEP) is a program designed to accommodate new enlistees into the United States Armed Forces before they ship out to basic training. It is for those who want to commit to the military but ship out at a later date. DEP members are not paid.

Most recruits today join the military through the DEP. This means that you sign a contract, sometimes while still in high school, promising to enlist in the military at some future date, up to one year away. While in the DEP, you are an untrained member of the non-drilling Reserve component of the military. If you choose to remain in the DEP, you will show up on your assigned date at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), at which time you will be discharged from the Reserves and you will sign a new contract to re-enlist in the active branch of the military you have chosen.

Who is the DEP For?

The DEP is for those who are not yet old enough to sign the military's legally binding contract, those who have not graduated high school yet, those who are pursuing a GED or equivalent alternative, those who do not meet the fitness standards to enter basic training yet, and those who have commitments to fulfill and so must shop out basic training for later.

DEP members are required to complete the DD Form 2983 (Recruit/Trainee Prohibited Activities Acknowledgement) and ensure they are aware of the restrictions on enlistees. They will also need to create an account on GoArmy to access training modules. They are expected to contact their recruiter every two weeks and hold one office meeting with the recruiter every month.

If a DEP member changes their mind and decides not to enter the military before they begin active duty, they will be separated with no adverse consequences. However, it is important to note that recruiters are under a lot of pressure to fulfill their obligation to get people to join the military. If a DEP member informs their recruiter that they have changed their mind, the recruiter may say that it is too late and that there is nothing that can be done. The recruiter may try to coerce the DEP member into reporting for basic training, but this is a violation of military regulations. It is not necessary to write a letter or give an explanation for changing your mind. Simply not showing up on the assigned date is enough to signal that the DEP member is no longer willing to become a member of the armed forces.

DEP members are not obliged to report for basic training

The Delayed Entry Program (DEP) is a program designed to accommodate new enlistees into the United States Armed Forces before they ship out to basic training. It is for those who want to commit to the military but ship out at a later date. Members of the DEP are not yet on active duty, nor are they official members of the uniformed services. Instead, they are considered members of the Inactive Reserve.

If DEP members change their minds and decide not to enter the military before they begin active duty, they will be separated with no adverse consequences. The DEP enlistment agreement states that the military can technically order any DEP recruit to active duty if they do not fulfill their commitment by reporting to training on their specified date. However, no recruit has been involuntarily ordered to active duty in decades.

If a DEP member chooses not to report for basic training, they will not be in the military. They are not obligated by law or any authority to answer the door or the phone, or to go anywhere with the recruiter. Recruiters are not allowed to threaten, coerce, manipulate, or intimidate DEP members. They are also not allowed to obstruct separation requests.

If a DEP member wants to withdraw from the program, they can write a separation letter to the local recruiting commander. This letter should state that they have changed their mind about enlisting and request a "separation". They do not have to give a reason for withdrawing, but they can if they want to. The letter should be sent by certified mail, with a return receipt requested. Once the letter has been sent, the DEP member should refuse all further contact with the recruiter.

In summary, DEP members are not obliged to report for basic training. If they choose not to, they will not be in the military and will face no adverse consequences.

Frequently asked questions