How to Get Discharged From the National Guard
Service in the National Guard is not for everyone. People become disenchanted with the military or feel that they were deceived when they enlisted. Sometimes, after they complete their training, they discover the job isn't what they hoped it would be or they just don't like it and they want out. However, getting discharged from the National Guard isn't like quitting a regular job. You took an oath and signed a legally binding contract. In general, the military does not spend a good deal of time worrying about whether or not you're happy. It isn't easy to get a discharge before your commitment is completed, but it is possible. Some of the more common ways are outlined below. But be warned: None of them are as simple as "just quit if you don't like it," and many have unpleasant repercussions.
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Instructions
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See if you qualify for an Entry Level Separation. If you have been in the service for less than 180 days you may be able to convince your commanding officer to approve an entry level separation. You should have reasonable grounds for this request, so think hard before approaching a superior. If your commander feels it is appropriate and a good decision for the unit in general, he will grant the discharge.
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Read your service agreement carefully. If any promises were made to you that have not been fulfilled within a reasonable amount of time, you can apply for a discharge due to breach of contract. This is particularly useful if you are not given the job you were promised during recruitment due to circumstances beyond your control. Jobs are routinely downsized or phased out, or recruiters occasionally line you up for a position you're not actually qualified to do. If this is the case, you will be given the choice of selecting another job or being discharged.
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Fall below standards. Rather than setting the bar too high, deliberately lower it. The National Guard, as well as all other branches of the armed forces, maintains high standards of physical fitness. If you decide ahead of time, you can deliberately fail your fitness test, or you can work to gain enough weight that you're below standards. Alternatively, you can demonstrate a profound lack of skill in some critical training area, such as basic rifle maneuvers. Any one of these will get your discharged. However, in most cases, you will have a number of opportunities to correct the situation.
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Come out of the closet. It's a "don't ask, don't tell" sort of military these days, and that extends to weekend warriors, too. If you choose to ignore this policy and inform others of your homosexuality (real or imagined), you give them military grounds to discharge you. However, they may refer you to the military mental health department first.
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Refuse to participate. This is as close as you can come to simply quitting. It is also the least desirable option listed. To refuse to soldier, simply stop going to your Guard weekends. Your commanding officer will be unhappy, and he will probably yell at you a lot when he catches up with you. In extreme cases, you may even face a court martial, have to pay a fine or even be given jail time. But your goal will be met. You will definitely get discharged from the National Guard.
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Tips & Warnings
When seeking a discharge, your superiors will use any number of tactics to dissuade you. You must be determined and rather thick-skinned to gain your discharge.
Even when you have grounds for a discharge, you may not get one.
