Can you terminate a car lease agreement with ETS orders?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 14:53:40 -0400

I am trying to lease a car for a short amount of time. I am aware that deployment/rotation orders are acceptable to terminate a car lease agreement. How about ETS orders?

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 18 at 2021 3:00 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:00:58 -0400

Hell no, being deployed means you are being sent somewhere your leased vehicle may be at risk. Your ETS MEANS NOTHING TO THEM

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 18 at 2021 3:59 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:59:47 -0400

The reason for the ability to terminate leases, rental agreements, and the like due to deployment is that the government is MAKING you leave the area of your lease/rental agreement/etc., and doing so unpredictably. You don't KNOW that you will be leaving for deployment when you enter into the agreement. You KNOW when your ETS is coming, and failure to plan is NOT the fault of the car company.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2021 5:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 17:32:01 -0400

No. Just no.
The purpose of canceling some leases - housing leases not car leases - is that the military is forcing you to move. You can't enter into a lease after receiving orders with the intent of canceling it because of those orders. The purpose of the Soldiers and Sailors Credit Relief Act is to provide protection for individuals who enter into a binding contract AND THEN are ordered to move or enter into Active Duty. Not to provide a way to enter into a short term lease and break that lease at will.

Also, ETS is completely voluntary. Plus you're no longer in the Active Duty so the SSCRA no longer applies

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 18 at 2021 6:03 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 18:03:19 -0400

If I understand correctly, you should be cautious. If the dealer determines you knew you would be coming down on orders when you leased he may not honor the orders. It is not a law or a rule, it is a Courtesy offered by businesses.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 18 at 2021 6:40 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 18:40:27 -0400

The difference between orders and ETS is that ETS is a fixed date you know about well in advance. Orders are generally random by nature. Don't lease a vehicle if you can't honor the lease.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Apr 19 at 2021 1:40 AM

SMSgt Bob W. — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 01:40:24 -0400

You should under the Soldiers/Sailors Act. However, read the other comments. They have some good information. My question, WHY? Why did you lease a car? You may have an issue with the word "deployment" because that means you are returning to the area; where a "PCS" is a Permanent Change of Station--BIG difference.