DEP is a Management Tool

Purpose of the Delayed Entry Program

August 21st, 2008

From the Navy Recruiting manual concerning the Delayed Entry Program (DEP);

Delayed entry is the military status gained by an enlistment in which a service member’s entry on active duty (ACDU) or initial active duty for training (IADT) is postponed for up to 365 days (12 months) with the exception of juniors who will be mid-year graduates. All up and coming new high school seniors (scheduled to graduate at the completion of the next school year) entering DEP during the months of May, June and July are authorized to remain in DEP for a maximum of 455 days (15 months).

When you enlist, your date for leaving to recruit training (boot camp) will hinge on a few factors. First is when would be the first day you would be eligible to leave. Are you still in school? You want to ensure proper notice of current employer or you have entered a program which requires a certain amount of time in the DEP due to additional qualifications you must meet – the number of things to consider are as varied as the people who join. Next is what are you qualified to do? Are there any boot camp vacancies and do those vacancies line up with the class convening date of the job training you wish to select and are qualified for? The DEP is a management tool used to ensure proper boot camp and follow-on school level loading. It provides the ability to place people in “out-months” to help the recruiting commands gauge and monitor the potential to hit in-year accession targets.

The Delayed Entry Program is NOT available for applicants to “try out military life.” If you are not convinced the particular branch is for you, then do not join – seek out more information until you are satisfied with your decision. If you do join a branch of the military, and during your DEP time realize you absolutely do not want to leave for boot camp, then tell your Recruiter. Expect him or her to ask you some questions – it is not uncommon for anyone to have a certain amount of “oh, crap, what I just do” – that’s human, so don’t let the emotion over take the sound logic you used while making the choice in the first place. In the end, if you are convinced the military is not for you – you will be discharged.

Because it is the right thing to do, all the branches of the US military use the time you might have to wait [DEP time] before boot camp to maintain your motivation for the military service. Your Recruiter would enter into a more of a mentor-leadership roll. Taking the time to ensure you are mentally and physically ready for the challenges of boot camp greatly reducing your chance of failing. Attend the DEP meetings, work on your advanced qualifications, and for goodness sake, ask questions!

Your military experience will be what you put into it.


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17 Responses to “Purpose of the Delayed Entry Program”


  1. neveapartinheart says:
    August 22, 2008 at 7:36 am

    It’s good to read a little more of why the DEP is in place. I know that sometimes my husband will complain about how hard it will be to convince someone to join and then wait around for 6 months to a year. But ultimately, if people really want to join, they will do what it takes. Plus it is a good time to get in shape and get more mentally ready.

    Thanks.

  2. NCCM(ret) says:
    August 22, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    More than anything I want the right message to get out – I have read too many articles stating DEP is a “try out” period. DEP is NOT like serving on active or reserve duty.

  3. TJP says:
    October 30, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    Is there a way to actually prolong your time in DEP? What I mean by that is, could I request that I don’t leave until a certain time at MEPS? I was hoping to wait at least a year before I left for basic, because I just started a new job and wanted to put in at least a year on the job before I left. How would I go about doing this?

    TJP

  4. NCCM(ret) says:
    October 30, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    TJP,

    You will be given options that marry up the job with a date – the dates are fixed to the job – so to leave at a specific date, you need to take a job that leaves during that time.

  5. TJP says:
    June 21, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    Hi NCCM,

    I don’t know if you remembered me, but I asked you a question about getting a medical waiver for atrial septal defect last year. I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving for basic training in a month, and I wanted to thank you for all of your help and advice on the medical waiver process. Getting the medical waiver was a frustrating, nerve-wracking ordeal, but you definitely help to assuage my anxiety throughout the process. I was able to get the job I wanted (Air Traffic Control) and am now just trying to prepare myself as best I can mentally and physically for boot camp and A school.

    I’ll be sure to keep in touch after boot camp.

    Thanks again, and take care!

    –TJP

  6. NCCM(ret) says:
    June 21, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    TJP,

    Of course I remember.

    I look forward to hearing from you after boot camp; do well, Airdale!

  7. Maggie says:
    April 6, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Hello!

    My husband is currently in DEP. I was told I should obtain a POA to act on his behalf while he is away (boot camp followed by numerous months of A School). I am having difficulty finding out how we go about getting a POA since we do not yet have military IDs/base access. I called our local base’s legal office and the individual put me on hold for a while only to come back and tell me that they can not assist with this service since he is not yet considered “active duty”. I asked whether we can make the POA effective the date of his active duty date (but just do it in advance before he ships off to bootcamp)and she answered “no”. I wanted to get a second opinion on this matter since it seems as though we should be able to take advantage of the legal services provided to us and get things in order before he laeves.

    Thank you for your help.

  8. NCCM(ret) says:
    April 6, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Maggie,

    I am not a lawyer, but I would not give a blanket power of attorney to any one, including my wife – POAs should be specific to the action that would be required to be taken, like signing a car title, etc. If you are aware of circumstances that might arise when he is in boot camp that would require his signature, then I suggest getting that POA prior to his shipping off, but the expense for it would be yours as you will not be allotted any benefits until he is sworn onto active duty.

  9. Maggie says:
    April 6, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Thank you – I guess we will have to take care of getting the POA once he graduates boot camp (while in A School). I’m not sure if this is the right place for it – but being “new to the Navy”, I have a question about what the service will cover. Specifically, will they pay for me to fly out to his graduation or pay for any travel expenses I incur while visiting him in A-school (25 weeks long)?

  10. NCCM(ret) says:
    April 6, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Maggie,

    No. The only time travel costs are covered for the dependents is when he is in receipt of permanent change of station (PCS) orders – it will pay for you to move from the old location to the new one, it will also fund the moving of your household goods (furniture and all your other worldly possessions) and your vehicle (if you drive it, you get so many cents per mile).

  11. terry says:
    June 6, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    my son is 23 and wishes to join the Navy. He is 6’2 and around 285, but is currently in very good condition. (x football player). he is not going to meet the weight requirements, and is probably a little over the body fat requirements, but i am sure he would pass the physical requirements in the good or excellent stage. He wants to leave, a.s.a.p.. He currently works for the Mo. Dept. of Corrections, and has little time for workouts. any ideas?

  12. NCCM(ret) says:
    June 6, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Terry,

    He will have to evolve his lifestyle to include healthy eating and physical exercise because he will, of course, have to be within the enlistment standards. The following post was written by a person who was very much in the same boat, pardon the pun, he lost upwards of 65 pounds to join. He is currently in the Navy doing a stellar job. Here is how he did it; http://www.navycs.com/blogs/2010/04/19/a-future-sailors-weight-loss-journey

  13. Austin says:
    November 13, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Hi NCCM,

    I was reading the comments here and I was wondering if you might be able to answer a question that I’ve been getting several different answers about. I live right by a base and was wondering if I would be able to get an ID card that would allow me to get on base and use the gym while I am in the DEP.

  14. NCCM(ret) says:
    November 14, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Austin,

    You should get a DEP ID after you swear in at teh MEPS, but it will not grant you base privileges (not an official ID card and would be easy to duplicate) – I have heard of some base facilities, like the gym, pool, etc., that will except the card because the recruiter has worked it out. Talk to your recruiter.

  15. melissa says:
    December 6, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Does anyone know if it is common to be shipped out after you graduate if you are enlisted in the DEP program and just waiting for you deploma from high school?

  16. NCCM(ret) says:
    December 6, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    Melissa,

    A lot of people ship to boot camp after they graduate high school. Are you talking about being a mid-term graduate? If so, the school will have to produce proof that you have finished all requirements for graduation, and you would also have to be at least 18 years of age (or within 60 days of your 18th birthday).

  17. babs says:
    December 28, 2011 at 9:27 am

    hello NCCM…i’ll be leaving for bootcamp in june(MM surface)..can i reenlist when my contract is over because i don’t want to wait in the individual ready reserve..ALso,is it true that the navy can deny me of reenlisting even if i met all their requirements….When can i start my reenlistment process while on active duty…thanks

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