What is a “Failure to Adapt” General Discharge from the Army?
A “Failure to Adapt” just means that he doesn’t fit. It could be that he always goes left when he should go right. Or it might indicate that he is not doing the job he was hired to do. Generally, an FTA (love that acronym) mean you don’t fit. I’ve seen it applied to ‘flaming’ soldiers (pre-DADT); to religious zealots that refuse to shoot; to gangsta criminal types that dis NCOs. It is the Armys way of saying it is easier to make the unit work if you are not here disturbing things. Transfers to a different unit are a problem — your son is where he is because of the needs of the Army. He can volunteer for every duty available that might move him to another unit or another post, but no guarantees. If you son really wants to stay in, he needs to deal with what the 1SG is asking. He needs to realize that he might not get a transfer. He might be at that unit for a year or two. While there, he should do the best job he can. And don’t listen to those that tell you that an FTA will get your so
