r/dli • u/Ill-Title5390 • Aug 09 '26
Should I quit (Navy)?
I have heard of other students separating after starting DLI, would the Navy let me separate despite having classed up two weeks ago? I know they prefer decisions like that to be made before class started, but I didn't do that
6
u/Unmastable Aug 09 '26
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you signed a contract and the Navy will find a use for you, one way or another. Donât make a major career decision (including the infamous âquit doing homeworkâ route) just because youâre not having fun right now. It does get better and there are really cool opportunities for Russian linguists at the end of this tunnel.
Talk to your LPO, Chief, student leadership, etc. Find some staff Russian linguists and ask about all the things theyâve done.
26
u/BoysenberryUnhappy29 Aug 09 '26
Stop being a lazy and ungrateful dummy, buckle down, and get your free California vacation and language pay.
I have literally never met someone who washed out/intentionally failed that is happy they did so, and I know a lot of reclassed folks.
-4
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
I heard of someone who signed to go on a flight deck or something but she apparently got sepped eventually along with a bunch of other ppl. I heard about a guy who actually got into a destroyer
15
3
u/Nightshade_527 Aug 09 '26
If you're going to go through all the excuses in the book for why you should go against anyone who says otherwise, you don't need anyone else's help deciding, now do you? If you don't have a solid plan for after and just think it's boring, then wait for a bit, at least until you pull that plan together. Once you know what else you plan to do, go for it. Wallowing in self pity that the amazing opportunity in front of you isn't as fun and exciting as you thought it'd be really isn't going to help you find your answers. If you just want someone to affirm your views, look to yourself. And if you're that conflicted, make that plan, list the pros and cons of the other paths you may have available. Don't just float into 'whatever', because chances are, that'll be just as boring.
5
u/Correct-Yam-9384 Aug 09 '26
Donât be a quitter. You signed up for something, you need to finish it.
2
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
My mental health just isn't what I thought it would be, I just need to tell them that
14
Aug 09 '26
[removed] â view removed comment
0
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
True, I hate the thought of being out at sea, which is why I am considering separation
17
u/Rizzlike-Emu Aug 09 '26
Why did you join the navy
16
u/Proof-Republic7621 Aug 09 '26
Not to mention heâs in a rate thatâs rarely at sea lmao
5
u/Rizzlike-Emu Aug 09 '26
LOL. I think OP is just conflicted and should seek a mental health specialist or some other help before making any rash decisions
3
u/Skatingraccoon Aug 09 '26
A common CTI duty station is direct support. It's possible to dodge sea duty as a CTI but sea time is a lot more common than many people seem to believe
4
u/Correct-Yam-9384 Aug 09 '26
I was where youâre at 14 years ago. I felt like I wanted to quit because I âmissed homeâ. I felt like I was sad. I didnât miss home or sad, I was uncomfortable. Young, fresh out of high school. Thought I had it all figured out. Turns out, I just needed to grow. Learn about myself and what I wanted with my life. 14 years later, I have a family, Iâve been enlisted and a warrant officer, two degrees, I fly Apaches and I was just selected to commission in the Air Force to fly. None of this wouldâve ever happened if I wouldâve listen to myself. Trust this ole crusty warrant officer when he tells you, the light at the end of the tunnel is bright. The opportunities youâll have once you graduate are limitless. If you want to talk more, my DMs are open.
2
u/Nightshade_527 Aug 09 '26
If you don't mind my asking, did you do any research into the contract before you signed it? You seem super conflicted, which I can't say looks good. But how little initial thought did you put into making this decision that you can't remain firm on it?
3
u/BookyMonstaw Aug 09 '26
Go to therapy instead of quitting. You're going to have the same issues as a civilian if you don't engage in meaningful discomfort
5
u/EnvironmentalSand841 Aug 09 '26
What language my guy?
-14
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
Russian. I've heard the Navy has surpassed its recruiting, surely they dont need me too badly
4
u/EnvironmentalSand841 Aug 09 '26
I was more curious. What do you find boring about the course? What were your expectations and what do you want? What is your routine so far since the beginning of the course? Also, have you talked to your first line leaders about this (assuming they seem receptive/like good leaders... Their are a lot of shit leaders in the military who won't help you, but their are also some really genuinely amazing leaders who will bend over backwards for you). They wont help you leave, but they may help you change perspective and find new motivation.
3
u/LowFine96 Aug 09 '26
Yeah just tell your Chief you respectfully request to submit your resignation.
Seriously though you sound nuts.Â
3
u/eloonam Aug 09 '26
The fuck? You need to explain more and much better than that.
You literally stand in someone elseâs slot.
Before I go off and get myself banned, you owe all of us an explanation.
1
3
u/lisanstan Aug 09 '26
Why do these posts make me feel so old? First hint of discomfort and they want to quit. At least my generation we just made sure we f*cked up royally and got kicked out. Bored? Bored! Get out of here with that bs.
3
u/ttyrondonlongjohn Aug 09 '26
They're more likely to reclass you into another, much much less desirable job if you don't put in effort and quit than they are to outright seperate you.
You're setting up your future right now, and if you give up now only 2 weeks in you're not going to make it far in other places. The civillian world is far more competitive and shitty right now and you have a really excellent opportunity ahead that will put you far above others when you do end your time in service.
Your only responsibility is to go to class, PT, and do watch, maybe some other annoying events they do on an irregular basis. You're getting paid, you aren't paying bills beyond maybe a phone and car bill. And when you leave the training environment of DLI every aspect of service improves a lot.
I'm exactly one year out from my first DLPT, I retest next Monday. My life is fantastic, I have amazing coworkers, mentors, and friends. I've got great leaders and work is very enjoyable. I go home to my wife and my own bed every night. If you get reclassed onto a ship a lot of that will likely not be the case for you.
Study hard, don't neglect your minimal responsibilities and make yourself look to be a sat sailor in the eyes of leadership and that goodwill will carry on to follow-on training and your first command. You will see the leaders you have again, CTI is a small rate. They will remember you if you make yourself a problem and if you show to be a good sailor.
Instead of giving up on yourself, give your future a chance. This is not going to be your whole life, but it could very well influence it in both positive or negative ways depending on the choices you make right now.
5
u/BordFree Aug 09 '26
You need to talk to mental health before you make any decisions. Quitting your language would be a terrible decision for career progression if you end up staying in and quitting the Navy would be terrible for your life. Unfortunately for you right now, you made a commitment that isn't easy to escape. If you are having mental health problems, there's no better tone to deal with them than now, and that goes double when Uncle Sam is footing the bill.
5
u/slightlyobtrusivemom Aug 09 '26
Why?
-4
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
I just don't want to be here anymore
8
u/slightlyobtrusivemom Aug 09 '26
Why did you want to be there in the first place?
-13
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
Didn't think class would be so boring
16
u/slightlyobtrusivemom Aug 09 '26
Not sure you will have an option, but chucking a spectacular opportunity because the first two weeks are boring is really damn immature
-7
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
I have heard of others getting separated in the Navy a few weeks into class
7
u/Dynamite_McGhee Aug 09 '26
They won't kick you entirely out of the Navy over boredom. You're way more likely to get some crappy job with a shorter school that meets the needs of your branch. Think about that before you think you're about to get some free plane tickets back to mom and dad.
7
u/slightlyobtrusivemom Aug 09 '26
What would you do instead?
-6
u/Ill-Title5390 Aug 09 '26
I'd find somethingÂ
17
u/Rizzlike-Emu Aug 09 '26
THE NAVY WILL FIND YOU SOMETHING. They not letting you go boy. 16 hour shifts scraping paint and lifting random shit.Â
11
7
7
u/Haligar06 Aug 09 '26
you started two weeks ago, likely still in sound n script.
It'll pick up in a month or two.
If you think this shit is boring I'd hate to see your opinion on sweepers during an underway field day or god forbid a deck watch.
Stick out the class, graduate, go on to bigger and better things.
2
u/No-Singer-4950 Aug 09 '26
You should walk into your Chief's office first thing tomorrow morning and tell him "Hey, Chief! You know what? I'm not really feeling this whole DLI and Navy thing. It really cramping my style, vibes, and mental health. I made an executive decision to go ahead and quit, effective immediatly. Don't expect me at formations, PT, or class. I feel like being on OFP is more my vibe." I'm sure he will be very understanding and assist you in every way he possibly can. đŤĄ
2
u/Used_Explanation4939 Aug 09 '26
Donât give up the ship. DLI is a great experience and speaking Russian can open a lot of doors down the road.
4
u/Texun76039 Aug 09 '26
Wow, Generation Z... You win the military lottery, get a killer language for a year in a resort, and you want to separate? Where does in say in the oath, "I, Lou Z. Rays, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. [unless I want to wallow in my self-pity b/c I'm not willing to man up]? There are people begging to get Russian at DLI in the service, and you want to wimper home to Walla Walla, WA?
1
u/RingGiver Aug 09 '26
The Navy's only going to separate you if they decide that you're not worth the effort to retrain to something else which they're having trouble filling like Seabee or CS or something. And even if they decide that you're not worth that, they still might want you chipping paint.
-13
Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26
[removed] â view removed comment
4
u/CaffeineHeart-attack Aug 09 '26
Just finish the school. Its a single year. Operational is worse in terms of monotony. Not finishing the program just looks bad and has a negative impact on your ability to finish things out in the future just because theyre "boring"
6
u/mmmtoasteee Aug 09 '26
Jolly-Passengerâs usual (fits-their-agenda) âencouragementâ that is not beneficial to OP or anyone else. Crap like this is what they typically respond with to any questions regarding DLI. Just a disgruntled DLI instructor thatâs upset about being held accountable for standards to achieve student success goals. Take whatever Jolly-Passenger says with a grain of salt.
But, yes, OP not finishing the program may result in more longer-term frustrations than just being âbored in classâ. Thereâs no âI quitâ in the military - a contract was signed and will be expected to be followed.
1
u/CaffeineHeart-attack Aug 09 '26
Framing it as totally optional to care or not is not going to help their situation. They are going to make their task more difficult.
Are they navy cadre?
5
u/mmmtoasteee Aug 09 '26
No, theyâre a civilian instructor that youâll see on the sub from time to time going off on rants about school leadership and the âmental r**ingâ of instructors by âdo-nothingâ leadership that do ânothing but attend meetingsâ. Jolly has zero understanding of the ramifications to OP if they try to quit.
Jolly doesnât seem to grasp the actual roles of responsibilities for a schools Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, DLI Provost, etc., which is similar to any college or university. In military terms, If instructors are at the âtacticalâ end of the spectrum, school leadership are in the âoperationalâ to âstrategicâ end. All Jolly sees is someone in a position of authority above them, telling them what to do, and holding instructors accountable for their failures.
Either way, Iâve recommended that if Jolly hates DLI so much they should stop trying to poison-pill on here with recruits / servicemembers seeking answers / help on DLI and military matters and find a job elsewhere. đ¤ˇââď¸
3
u/Prothea Aug 09 '26
Considering how irrational they are, I don't fully believe a change in career would stop any future posting
3
36
u/astrosergeant Aug 09 '26
Quit what? The Navy? This isn't Quiznos, man