Delayed Entry Program and College

The Delayed Entry Program seems to have a lot of benefits for some younger recruits. I understand the length of the delay can be up to a year. I also understand that the duration is negotiable according to what makes sense for both the recruit and the Navy.

I would imagine that during this time the recruit would be encouraged to do whatever he could to improve himself, such as continue his studies in college.

Do any college credits earned provide the recruit with a higher pay grade once he has enlisted?

How much college coursework would be too much for someone in the Delayed Entry Program? That is, does the DEP put additional demands on the future sailor that might interfere with college?

Does anyone see any ethical concerns here? In other words, if a recruit is in the Delayed Entry Program and enrolls in college (or is enrolled in college and signs up for the Delayed Entry Program) is he slighting his commitment to the college because it's a given that the recruit/student will leave after two semesters?

If any student loans are assumed during the brief stint in college, can those be paid off with the educational incentives provided by the Navy?

Thanks in advance.

Good questions, and I can answer some of them for you. My son went into DEP and his contract stating he would ship out in exactly one year. My son thought he would just sit around waiting, however I informed him, if he was home, he was going to school. So he went to the local community college and signed up for classes.

The recruiters did have days that "could have" interferred with his classes, however, he explained to him he was in college and they worked around his schedule. Bottom line, DEP is mainly to make sure the kids aren't getting into any trouble while waiting, and since my son had no reason to concern them, they worked within his schedule.

The end result was, my son got in his year of college, turned in his results and entered the Navy as an E-2.

We did understand there was a chance my son could have gotten an opportunity to enter before that year, but that was a risk I was willing to take, figuring worst case, I'd go explain to the college that my son was being called in by the military and see if they'd work with me. FWIW, I've yet to see any group, right now, not willing to help out our military.

As to the student loans, I can't answer that. In my opinion, having my son go to the local community college was a huge benefit. He was only taking the basic courses anyway, so why pay for a more expensive education, and he was able to live at home and still make his DEP requirements.

Good luck to you and your recruit.

Replies

Roy C Gray March 14, 2013 at 4:09pm

You can request a deferral from the bank or whoever paid the school for the tuition. My son received a deferral from his lender. Although the interest continues to build, so don't take a long deferral. He had a bachelors degree in computer science and could not get hired anywhere because they all want experience. So he enlisted and went in as an E -3, became his division yeoman and thought boot was easy. Although he played college football so was used to the PT and getting yelled at LOL.
Brad March 7, 2013 at 10:17am

Good questions, and I can answer some of them for you. My son went into DEP and his contract stating he would ship out in exactly one year. My son thought he would just sit around waiting, however I informed him, if he was home, he was going to school. So he went to the local community college and signed up for classes.

The recruiters did have days that "could have" interferred with his classes, however, he explained to him he was in college and they worked around his schedule. Bottom line, DEP is mainly to make sure the kids aren't getting into any trouble while waiting, and since my son had no reason to concern them, they worked within his schedule.

The end result was, my son got in his year of college, turned in his results and entered the Navy as an E-2.

We did understand there was a chance my son could have gotten an opportunity to enter before that year, but that was a risk I was willing to take, figuring worst case, I'd go explain to the college that my son was being called in by the military and see if they'd work with me. FWIW, I've yet to see any group, right now, not willing to help out our military.

As to the student loans, I can't answer that. In my opinion, having my son go to the local community college was a huge benefit. He was only taking the basic courses anyway, so why pay for a more expensive education, and he was able to live at home and still make his DEP requirements.

Good luck to you and your recruit.

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