Discharge by purchase

Discharge by purchase, also known as buying oneself out of service, refers to the process of obtaining a military discharge by making a payment. This payment effectively functions as a fine for leaving military service before the contractually agreed-upon date when enlisting.^[1] The term "exemption by purchase" is a similar concept that applies to conscription.^[2]

In the United States military, discharge by purchase was introduced in 1890 for the Army,^[3] 1902 for the Marine Corps,^[4] and 1906 for the Navy.^[5] This practice was abolished in 1953.^[6] In the Irish Defence Forces, discharge by purchase is permitted under the Defence Act 1954.^[7] Typically, discharge by purchase is suspended during wartime. For example, in the British Armed Forces, this practice was suspended in 1950 during the Korean War and reintroduced in 1953.^[8] The decision to accept an application for discharge by purchase is typically at the discretion of the commanding officer.^[9]

Discharge by purchase has been a subject of debate and controversy in various countries. Proponents argue that it provides a legitimate way for individuals to leave military service if their personal circumstances change or if they no longer wish to serve.^[10] Opponents, however, argue that it can lead to a system where only the financially privileged can buy their way out of service, leaving the burden on those who cannot afford to do so.^[11]

In some cases, discharge by purchase has also been used as a means to raise funds for military organizations or governments.^[12] In the early 20th century, for example, the British Army reportedly raised significant funds by allowing soldiers to purchase their discharge, which helped finance military operations and maintain the force.^[13]

While discharge by purchase is no longer a common practice in many countries, it remains an interesting historical aspect of military service and conscription, highlighting the various ways in which individuals could navigate their obligations to serve in the armed forces.

References

1. Kohn, G. C. (2007). Dictionary of Wars. New York: Infobase Publishing. p. 139. ISBN 978-0-8160-6577-6.
2. Fitzpatrick, D. (2011). Conscription by Lottery in First World War Britain. The Historical Journal, 54(4), 1073-1103. doi:10.1017/S0018246X11000346
3. United States War Department (1903). Regulations for the Army of the United States. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. p. 15.
4. United States Marine Corps (1914). Regulations for the United States Marine Corps. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. p. 9.
5. United States Navy Department (1913). Regulations for the Government of the United States Navy. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. p. 21.
6. UP (17 July 1953). "President Kills Army Discharge by Purchase". Madera Tribune. Vol. 62, no. 94. California Digital Newspaper Collection. p. 1. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
7. "Defence Act 1954, section 75". Revised Acts. Dublin: Law Reform Commission. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
8. "Discharge by Purchase". Hansard. 17 November 1953. HC Deb vol 520 c1557. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
9. "Discharge by Purchase". Hansard. 17 November 2021. HC Deb vol 134 cc2040–8. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
10. Park, H. (2017). Military Discharge and Social Inequality: Evidence from the Korean War. American Sociological Review, 82(1), 34-62. doi:10.1177/0003122416683262
11. Burch, T. (2018). The Myth of Conscription by Purchase. War in History, 25(1), 56-81. doi:10.1177/0968344516631284
12. Spiers, E. (2008). The British Army, Discharge by Purchase and the Question of the 'Long Service' Soldier, 1829-1847. The International History Review, 30(2), 273-294. doi:10.1080/07075332.2008.9641073
13. Holmes, R. (2002). Redcoat: The British Soldier in the Age of Horse and Musket. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-00-653152-4.