Attachment 4: Applicant Briefing Item On Separation Policy

A4.1. Brief applicants, prior to the commissioning oath, as follows:

• A4.1.1. As military members, you occupy a unique position in society. You represent the military establishment. This special status brings with it the responsibility to uphold and maintain the dignity and high standards of the US Armed Forces at all times and in all places. The Armed Forces must also be ready at all times for worldwide deployment. This fact carries with it the requirement for military units and their members to possess high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and cohesion. As a result, military laws, rules, customs and traditions include restrictions on your personal behavior that may be different from civilian life. Members of the Armed Forces may be involuntarily separated before their enlistment or term of service ends for various reasons established by law and military regulations. Some unacceptable conduct may be grounds for involuntary separation, such as:

  • A4.1.1.1. You establish a pattern of disciplinary infractions, discreditable involvement with civil or military authorities or you cause dissent, or disrupt or degrade the mission of your unit. This may also include conduct of any nature that would bring discredit on the Armed Forces in the view of the civilian community.

  • A4.1.1.2. Because of parental responsibilities, you are unable to perform your duties satisfactorily or you are unavailable for worldwide assignment or deployment.

  • A4.1.1.3. You fail to meet the weight control standards.

• A4.1.2. DELETED.

• A4.1.3. The Armed Forces do not tolerate harassment or violence against any service member, for any reason.

• A4.1.4. Provide a typed copy of the following to each applicant prior to the commissioning oath:

RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL CONDUCT IN THE ARMED FORCES Military life is fundamentally different from civilian life. The military has its own laws, rules, customs, and traditions, including numerous restrictions on personal behavior, that may be acceptable in civilian society. These are necessary because military units and personnel must maintain the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are essential for combat effectiveness.The Armed Forces must be ready at all times for worldwide deployment. Military laws and regulations, including the Uniform Code of Military Justice, apply to service members at all times, both on base or off base, from the time the member enters the service until the member is discharged or otherwise separated from the Armed Forces.

*Members of the Armed Forces may be involuntarily separated before their term of service ends for various reasons established by law and military regulations, such as: (a) member may be separated for a pattern of disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, commission of a serious offense, or civilian conviction, (b) a member who has been referred to a rehabilitation program for personal drug and alcohol abuse may be separated for failure through inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program, (c) a member may be discharged by reason of parenthood, if it is determined the member because of parental responsibilities, is unable to perform his or her duties satisfactorily or is unavailable for worldwide assignment or deployment, (d) a member may be separated for failure to meet service weight control standards, or (e) a member may be separated for harassment or violence against any service member.

*DELETED.