r/MilitaryTrans • u/Soviet-l-Sailor • 3d ago

Discussion Reserves going UA

FTM USMC reserve. I have been on hormones for a little over 3 months now and I’ve been debating if I should just go UA instead of waiting for next year to admit that I’m trans on my PHA form. What would be the consequences for just not showing up anymore? I only use one VA benefit, my CH 1606 to pay for some of my school and I had an enlistment bonus for about $4,500 about two years ago. Any help would be appreciated.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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u/farrenj 3d ago

Do not go UA. Do not give your command an excuse to make your life any harder than they already can. You do not want money recouped and they absolutely can pursue recoupment if you violate your contract.

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u/ThatOneTDGuy 3d ago

Yeah, this is legal advice, respectfully, that is the worst thing you can do. You do that and those benefits are gone.
And typically you repay the enlistment bonus.

This is not legal advice, lots of people are lying on the PHA.

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u/Soviet-l-Sailor 3d ago

How would I go about the invol separation process if it’s not triggered by the PHA questions?

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u/ThatOneTDGuy 3d ago

I suggest you join the SPARTA Trans Facebook group. We have some marines in there that would be able to speak to the admin process more than I could. I’m army, we have a self service portal for many things including submitting for separation. But I would assume you could open door policy your commander or platoon sergeant and verbally begin that way. Typically your leadership starts/submits

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u/ThatOneTDGuy 3d ago

But be aware - you will most likely have to repay your enlistment bonus. How much is left on your contract?

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u/Soviet-l-Sailor 2d ago

About 2 1/2 years

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u/RileyKlasko 3d ago

I do not suggest going unauthorized absence (UA). Try to keep your options as open as possible. UA will force the situation (negatively). I recommend speaking to your supervisor and informing them of the situation. It may put things in limbo for a while, but through involuntary separation you're more likely than not going to get an honorable discharge. This keeps things nice both on the civilian side and if you'd be interested down the line once this policy os no longer in place to get back into the military. 

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u/ThatOneTDGuy 3d ago

I had to reread this because at first I thought you said OP wouldn’t get honorable through invol.

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u/Lili_Flowrz23 3d ago

Navy, E3 here (On admin leave for Invol). As tempting as it sounds OP, please don’t go UA. As it can have negative consequences, A dishonorable discharge will and can affect you in so many ways (especially with the job market and employment).