Hi there,
I came upon this site trying to find any answers.
My boyfriend called yesterday and is VERY homesick, he wants out.
He said something about an ELF? What is that?
I couldn't really hear him,and he only got like 30 seconds to talk. I don;t know when I will hear from him again. I'm worried.

Any advise?
Thanks

welcome
and i have no idea what an ELF is..someone will be around soon enough to answer the question.

but i say just stick it out. he'll do great. just be supportive when you can talk to him and pray for him. it'll all work out.

He probably meant an ELS, entry level seperation. It a type of general discharge, that's almost like you were never there.

Has he been there very long? During the reception period I think a lot of them have doubts. Once they start training, they're so busy they don't have time to think about it. Try to encourage him to stay.

Welcome to the forums Jessica....Try not to worry too much.Doubts can come into play early on...and most people I have known who become homesick get over it after a while.

Its probably worst when he has some free time(time to think) and isnt being busy

How long has he been there?

Like missinhim and Armymom has said...just be supportive and keep writing those letters....trust me letters from home will help as long as you stay positive in what you write.

Good luck....and dont worry too much...what will be will be however much you worry

__________________
Some People say the most important thing
a fighter can have is heart.
show me a fighter who's nothing but heart,
and I'll show you a man waiting for a beating.
كافر

Entry Level Separations (ELS) are given to those who are unfit for military service. Unable to cope, physically inept, psycologically unfit. That's basically it. It happens all the time in Reception where it appears the Army is nothing like what they expected it to be.

When their Drill SGT picks them up to take them to their BCT platoon area things will change in a hurry. They are very busy, challenged every step of the way & are actually learning Army stuff, some of which is quite interesting. THAT'S what they joined the Army for. Especially the Drill SGT screaming at them from 6 inches away with garlic on his breath. There really is nothing in the civilian world to compare it to.

__________________
Proud Dad of a USArmy Ranger SFC - 3/75 Rangers
USNavy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
USArmy 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

And thats why we bloody love it!!!!!!

__________________
Some People say the most important thing
a fighter can have is heart.
show me a fighter who's nothing but heart,
and I'll show you a man waiting for a beating.
كافر

Damn Straight!! Hooah!!! Army Strong!!!! Airborrne, All the way!! Rangers Lead the Way!! Gary Owen!! Brave Rifles!!! Three bags full!!! (?)

(Got any good UK Army mottos, J?)

__________________
Proud Dad of a USArmy Ranger SFC - 3/75 Rangers
USNavy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
USArmy 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

Thanks for the advise. I'm jst sitting here waiting for him to call.
Perhaps he did say ELS. It was hard to hear him, the phones aren't the best are they?lol
Anyway he has been gone since4/24. He is at Ft.Benning.
ELS? Is that a bad thing?Some people can't cope with military life,it is soooo different from cilvilian

I heard it is knda rough there.
I will keep encouraging him though(when I do talk to him)

Thanks again.

This is tough...if he's homesick and thinking about an ELS, then there is little chance it is going to get much better. After BCT and AIT, he'll have either a PCS (permanent change of station for a year or 2...my guy is in Korea for a year), or a deployment. There, he'll most likely be farther away from home, more homesick, and more work during the week (with more down time on the weekends to think and miss people).

However, you did say that he's been there since 4/24--it could just be that he's getting worn down from all the training. Many guys (I've been told) start really getting homesick and wanting out at about this point into there BCT, but only a few actually leave b/c of support from home. Continue to support him and encourage him--have you written him letters?

I hope things work out for him.

Yeah I have a few....

1."High ho high ho its off to work we go"
2."Somewhere over the rainbow"
3"Its a hard knock life"
4."$hit shower shave"
5."Beer tokens"


The recruitment one is "Be the best"

I like "Death or Glory" and "Stand firm and strike hard"
My motto is..."Go hard...go tough...or go home"(one for the French)

__________________
Some People say the most important thing
a fighter can have is heart.
show me a fighter who's nothing but heart,
and I'll show you a man waiting for a beating.
كافر