Delayed Entry Program Discharge (DEP Discharge)
Dept. of Defense

To view or download the complete regulation, click on the the link to it in the box above these comments.


The DEP is sometimes called (incorrectly) the Delayed Enlistment Program or the Future Soldiers Program.
See the regulations for each branch: all branches will separate (discharge) a DEP member on his or her request to be discharged from the DEP or failure to start active duty as scheduled.

DoD Directive 1332.14 (March 29, 2010)

ENCLOSURE 3

REASONS FOR SEPARATION

5. DEFECTIVE ENLISTMENTS AND INDUCTIONS

e. Separation from the Delayed Entry Program

(1) Basis. A person who is in the Delayed Entry Program may be separated because of ineligibility for enlistment under standards prescribed by the Secretary concerned or upon his or her request when authorized by the Secretary concerned.

(2) Description of Separation. Entry-level separation.

(3) Procedure. The person shall be notified of the proposed separation and the reasons thereof. The Service member shall be given an opportunity to submit to the separation authority a rebuttal statement by a specified date (not less than 30 days from the date of delivery). The notice shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (or by an equivalent form of notice if such service is not available by the U.S. mail at an address outside the United States). If the person fails to acknowledge receipt of notice, the individual who mails the notification shall prepare a Sworn Affidavit of Service by Mail (see DoDI 1215.18 (Reference (n)) that shall be inserted in the file along with Postal Service (PS) Form 3800, "U.S. Postal Service Certified Mail Receipt."