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Early Termination-- can it be treated as a regular resignation?Anonymous2-08-07  6:47 pm
Information on joiningKaren Jenkins8-19-06  11:24 pm
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anonymous
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 1:45 pm:   

Hi, I'm a volunteer who is COSing in late fall, but I would really like to start school in September...I know the CD can advance a COS date up to 90 days - is it ever possible to do it by more (say 100 days?) Also, is there anywhere I can find information regarding COS v. ET, if I have to ET to go to school, how does that affect me? I have looked at the official Peace Corps Manual, but I would greatly appreciate some advice.
anonymous
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 3:08 pm:   

I'd ET and go to school. I never saw any point in delaying my departure. If I remember right you should have a COS no matter what happens.
RPCV cameroon
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 1:48 pm:   

Suck it up and COS as scheduled. One can often postpone grad school for a year. A rushed or early COS may create culture shock issues while you're in school, as well as not preparing your post/village for another volunteer. Besides, why would you want to start grad school so suddenly after PC? Take a break. There is no hurry in life, mon.
Terminated
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 2:12 pm:   

Closing of Service is done either way, asshole.

No hurry would be my worry.
separation
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 2:39 pm:   

I wouldn't terminate early if you can avoid it. Are you bored? Is your assignment not interesting? The Comments by the anonymous and Terminated are whimisical opinions. They never tell you if they even served or not.

Early Termination is a Separation. Boy, Peace Corps administration and the former volunteer world really frown upon us no matter what happens. Unfortunately there is no system for you to exit early and get respect in the Peace Corps world. Believe me.

The question to ask is what is wrong with your service?

Why do you really want to ET so early.

If you stay in for the full term you will be eligible for grant money during grad school, education scholarship, easy admission, Perkins loans forgiven. If not, there is no credit and don't let the people on this web site who have made their money at Peace Corps tell you any different.

When the policy changes toward a point system for every month you serve then equity in the return volunteer world will be served.

Tell us the real problems and we will communicate back with you.
do
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 4:33 pm:   

Ames don't talk alot/,.O
Artanis
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 4:36 pm:   

SERVING IS VERY DIFFIUCLUT

YOU WILL NOT DEMAD A NAME!
Artanis
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 4:38 pm:   

SERVING IS VERY DIFFIUCLUT

YOU WILL NOT DEMAD A NAME!
WE
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 4:40 pm:   

et IS AN ALEIN. AND ITS NOT MY FAULT
RPCV Cameroon (adsl-32-84-11.mem.bellsouth.net - 67.32.84.11)
Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 2:01 pm:   

to terminated:

whoa watch your language, poddy-mouth. I can see why you were terminated--anger management issues. Tsk tsk tsk, not good PCV material, and bad for PC goal #2. Yeah, I was an asshole at times in country...but better than being a loser like you, MON! Suck up grad school now, MON, and don't be a quitter--you still gotta pay those student loans back!
RPCV Bolivia (24-90-206-118.nyc.rr.com - 24.90.206.118)
Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 11:15 pm:   

No one will care why you leave outside of a select few elitist RPCVs. If you feel like you have given all you have to give, then leave. But rushing right into in school may be a little overwhelming.
anon (213.154.76.90)
Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 3:39 pm:   

Hi, I posted the message originally, thanks for all of the replies. Truly, I deferred school to do PC and told PC both in my interview and in my motivation statement that I was planning to go to school fall 2004. If I do end up staying and COSing, I feel I'll just end up spending my last three months of service reapplying to school (a tedious and expensive chore) with no guarantee I'll get in again. Finally, I've already given some money to my school in order to hold my spot and they won't give me a 3rd year of deferral...does this additional info make any difference? I imagine I'll just have to ET 4-5 months before I'd normally COS...still having done most of my work...
anonymous (213.154.76.90)
Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 3:14 pm:   

hi, I'm facing the same dilema - are there any other opinions out there? Thx
RPCV/APCD (66.171.41.19)
Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 6:38 pm:   

Have your APCD or the AO give you a copy of the manual section 281 (separations: includes resignations, admin seps, medical seps and interrupted service). This info should also be a part of your COS packet, which you should receive at least a few months - maybe several - before the designated COS date. In any case, perhaps you could ask for an advance copy of the COS packet if you don't want to stir any suspicions at this point. Just tell them you're planning ahead.

My two cents: As for ETing ... It's about commitment and what it means to you. PC made a commitment to your host agency and counterpart, and you made a commitment to PC as well as the host agency and counterpart. Writing in your motivation statement that you planned to enter grad school in the fall following service was hardly a transparent way of informing PC in advance that you planned to resign early. They wouldn't accept a candidate stating that s/he planned to resign early, but I think you know this ... It's worth taking the time to wrap up and say "goodbye" properly and appreciately to your community, counterpart, host family, etc. You knew your COS date two years ago when you made the commitment to and were sworn into service (or should have). In addition, your presence during those last few months and at the COS conference is beneficial for site development for the incoming group of trainees, whether or not you interact with them directly.

Practically, however, "ETing" (or, more accurately resigning of your own volition)won't affect much if it's being carried out just a few months shy of the COS date -- i.e., you'll forfeit some readjustment allowance, won't be able to take "cash in lieu", etc. You'll have the same insurance beneifts available as someone who COSes (and yes, resigning is indeed different from COSing). Naturally, if you're applying for a PC job in the future, someone might ask about it. Other than that ... Your DOS simply states the dates of service, not whether you resigned or COSed. But then many things are life are technically "okay".

You could request an early COS from the CD. The worse that can happen is that it's not granted. CDs are not supposed to grant early COSes for other than extenuating circumstances (e.g., immediate family crisis). Also, a CD may only authorize up to 30 days ... some CDs are flexible about this time frame. For more than 30 days (up to max of 90), approval from the regional director in DC is required, and RDs are normally strict about granting it.

Good luck!
Anonymous (198.88.cm.sunflower.com - 24.124.88.198)
Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 10:50 pm:   

I et ed for a vebal argumet I had while drinking at sight with an inhabatant of the island. If you are now involved in or have ever been in my situation, I was wondering if I should even use Peace Corps as a reference or what? Anyway I served nine months and tthis happen I was under a lot of stress at sight due to a Typhon aand a girl friend situation i should have never let escalate.
molly
Posted From: 190.11.28.90
Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 4:45 pm:   

I wonder if getting my dog home would be an immediate family crisis. Looks like flying into Miami after june 15 with a dog is a no go... i'm meant to cos aug 31. possible two and a half months early?

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