By Contributing Writer

When you entered the military service, you probably didn't think of cutting your service short. The government ensures that you hold on to your signed contract and pledge of allegiance by lavishing you with allowances, free housing and electricity, education for your children as well as yours, and an attractive pension pay after you retire from the service. But still you want to quit. It is not easy because it's the government you will be dealing with, although there are options that will make your exit a little more principled.

  1. Fail to enlist in time. There are specific occasions like every three years or five years where a soldier has to re-enlist himself. Anyone can straightforwardly get discharged due to delayed enlistment. If you did not re-enlist, that means you don't want to continue your service anymore. Because you turned your back on them in this way, don't expect to get any compensation pay.  
  2. Tell them that you love Brad Pitt. Homosexual activities are totally taboo in the military. It is grounds for an honorable discharge. They won't ask you if you really are gay, even if your facial and body expressions say it all. They need evidence more than that. Meaning, homosexuals are welcome to serve in the military, but they cannot cross dress or put on make up, in short, they cannot engage in any homosexual behavior, nor tell anyone that they want to get out of the closet.
  3. Get yourself pregnant. This is for female soldiers. Before, you can be discharged automatically if you get pregnant beyond the time set by the military. A pregnant soldier could request a discharge and get it automatically. Nowadays, the discharge may not come automatically. Meaning her case will be deliberated for approval by commanding officers. So this option may not be a sure-fire way to quit the military.
  4. File for early separation. If you are not much in a hurry to quit, some major services allow the soldier to request early separation from active duty to serve in the Guard or Reserves under some government program. Nevertheless, approval is definitely not automatic, and is dependent on the "requirements of the service." If you're assigned in a particular area that has a high manpower demand, this option may not work at all.
  5. Abandon your children. Single parents and military wedded to military with offspring can be discharged if they fail to maintain proper family care. If the commander feels that your fanaticism and commitment to the service has significantly and negatively affected your family life then you will be discharged honorably.
  6. Pretend you're psychopathic. They don't want to operate during combat with a loony, do they? If they feel and see that you lack the ability to adjust to the physical, mental, and social demands of military life, they will initiate the procedures for you to quit the military.
  7. Get into trouble. This option works best during military schooling. Copy your squad mate's examination and cheat. If at first you were not caught, do it again. Once caught but reprimanded only, do it again. Three cheats would mean endorsement for discharge.

Even if you really want to quit the military, be sensible by attempting to leave through an honorable discharge. In this way, you can still receive separation benefits and you will still be called a veteran.