How To Get Out of the U.S. Military Now

Fact sheet with downloadable brochure to distribute to service members

The Eyes Left podcast (an Empire Files production) created this factsheet and downloadable two-sided brochure to print and distribute to service members.

Domestically, Trump is illegally using service members against immigrants and legitimate protests against ICE paramilitary raids. This campaign has grown increasingly fascist and modeled after white nationalist fantasy.

At the time of this publishing, it was just announced at least 300 Marines would be sent to Florida to aid Trump’s “Alligator Alcatraz” concentration camp project.

Abroad, Trump and his team have given us the Iraq War script all over again, putting us on the precipice of disastrous war with Iran while using US forces to enable the worst genocide of our generation.

If you are conflicted about your role, you are not alone. Service members have the right, and moral obligation, to refuse to participate in these moral obscenities. Below are all the ways you can exercise those rights. There is a community of veterans and supporters who are ready to stand with you. What you do can make a difference now and for generations to come.

This is general guidance, not legal advice; be sure to contact the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487 if you are considering any of these options.

• CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR: An honorable discharge and near 100% success rate if you work with GI rights counselors. If you have a firm, fixed and sincere objection to your participation in killing and war. You don’t have to be religious; “firm and fixed belief” means you will not have peace if you are forced to continue this work in the military. The CO process is essentially just explaining your change of heart from when you joined. Regulations require your command, once your process is pending (counselors can help you prepare a one-page intent to file CO) to immediately assign you to duties that conflict as little as possible with your beliefs (including being non-deployable). The form is relatively easy to complete and expert counselors are available to help you.

• FAILURE TO ADAPT: If you are within 365 days of service, leaving is an easy entry-level separation. Very low evidence bar, just maintain “I am not adapting” and document examples.

• “COGENT PERSONAL REASONS” for Reserve and Guard units being mobilized: excuses like caring for child, spouse, parent or other family member; medical issue; financial hardship if you were to leave your job; etc can exempt you from mobilization. Document these things now.

• AWOL: Desertion means you have no intent to return; maintain you always had intent to return. There will be a warrant for your arrest during your AWOL so avoid situations you’ll have your ID checked (like driving).

  • Marines: No Court Martial. Stay gone 180 so you are dropped from your unit roles; turn yourself in at Camp LeJeune; about 2-3 months process (not in detention) where you end up with an Other Than Honorable (OTH) Discharge–veterans benefits still available, no criminal or public record.

  • Navy: In most cases if you’re gone 120 days, just walk into a Navy recruiting office and tell them you’re AWOL; Navy will send paperwork to the recruiter and they will lift the warrant and discharge you there.

  • Army: If you are in training or stationed outside of continental US and you go AWOL you can immediately turn yourself in at Fort Sill; about 1 month process then you’re out with an OTH discharge. For those in permanent units within continental US, stay gone 180 days and turn yourself in to your unit for OTH discharge.

  • Air Force: known to court martial but legal support is available to help you fight it; going AWOL for reasons of conscience is a legitimate defense.

• DESERTION: You still have rights. Punishment can be just a few months in detention. In the words of Army infantryman Sgt. Camillo Mejia, who refused to return to combat from mid-tour leave, said: “For the 9 months in prison I was more free than if I had to go back to Iraq.”

• MEDICAL DISCHARGE: Most common and successful method. Document any physical or mental medical issue, be firm and consistent in pursuing care and. The military is required to care for your “wellbeing.” Mental health issues, including your service impacting your wellbeing, are your right to assert. You don’t have to have been exposed to combat to have symptoms that qualify you for discharge. Gets you an honorable discharge with disability benefits.

• HARDSHIP: Someone back home requires your care or attention. These applications cannot lawfully be ignored.

PROTEST RIGHTS: Reminder that you have the same constitutional rights as civilians, per DODI 1325.06. restrictions are that you cannot make public statements in your uniform or engage in protest activities at work, or say you are representing the military. All other speech is protected, including attending (or organizing) protests, including anti-war protests, and posting your opinions on social media.

Download the leaflet below. Also check out the Right To Refuse campaign by About Face: Veterans Against the War