MS 284: Early Termination Of Service

MS 284, 5.0
Pages 14 - 15
07/26/96

5.0 Interrupted Service
A Volunteer or Trainee may be separated with interrupted service status if the Country Director determines that circumstances beyond the control of the V/T make it necessary for the V/T to leave his or her present assignment. Because the nature of circumstances leading to interrupted service are beyond the V/T's control, interrupted service should not be used in lieu of administrative separation. All travel options under paragraph 8.0 are open to V/Ts who are separated with interrupted service status, but not in particular that 8.1.3 "Field Exception to Direct and Immediate Return" may be appropriate.

5.1 Grounds for Interrupted Service
Interrupted service may be appropriate if:

  • The V/T is unable to meet technical or language requirements in current assignment or country but the Country Director recommends future volunteer service.

  • The V/T no longer meets eligibility requirements in MS 201, due to changes in legal, marital or other circumstances that are beyond the V/T's control.

  • There is no viable assignment in country of assignment for which the V/T is qualified.

  • Circumstances prevent the V/T from carrying out his or her assignment (e.g., a prolonged teachers' strike).

  • Circumstances beyond the control of the V/T may damage the effectiveness of the individual, or the credibility or effectiveness of the Peace Corps program.

  • The host country (or other cooperating agency to which the Volunteer is assigned) requests that the Volunteer be removed from service for reasons that would not constitute grounds for administrative separation.

  • The V/T's spouse has been medically separated, administratively separated or separated with interrupted service status, and the V/T him/herself is not subject to administrative separation.

  • Circumstances in the country of assignment may endanger the V/T's safety (excluding evacuation, which are covered by paragraph 6.0).

A V/T who has been separated with interrupted service status may seek reinstatement or re-enrollment to Peace Corps service or may seek transfer to another country, provided the Country Director endorses the V/T's request. These conditions and procedures are outlined in MS 282.

5.2 Appeal
A V/T may appeal to the Regional Director (RD) in writing if he/she thinks the reasons for separation under paragraph 5.1 do not apply. The RD shall consider the documentation provided by the V/T and country staff in determining whether the decision to separate the V/T with interrupted service was appropriate. The RD's decision is the final agency action.