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DA 200 is your friend.
Wish I could help.
Ok, here is the situation. Back in August, I submitted my paperwork to be released from the Reserves to AD. I was given a timeline to expect a response, and after it had expired, I started doing follow up work. I found out that my paperwork had been lost, so we resubmitted, and exceeded the timeline again. After this round of follow up went through the Brigade, we found out that Brigade had never even received it and Battalion did not remember ever seeing it. It would seem as though my Unit Administrator is not processing this paperwork despite the fact that I had my Company Commanders authorization.
Since I was a Refraded from my original AIT, I just reported back to AIT. My first AIT was motivating, challenging and I felt very at home. This one(74D) almost made me want to give up on the whole Army thing completely. We had some very "interesting" things take place. First off, our senior PS managed to get 3 Reserve soldiers released to Active Duty, but would not discuss this with me, saying that there was nothing that can be done. Coincidentally, one of these soldiers was busted fraternizing with someone of the same sex....and nothing negative happened. She got promoted and released to active while there.....even she was shocked. I am just curious if anyone knows how he was able to pull this off? I am almost willing to try anything to get released before I commission. I know that once I commission this will become much more challenging.
The only other option that my chain of command has offered is for me to go back to school to finish my Masters and utilize ROTC to try to asses to AD. If I could figure out how to support my family while doing this, I would probably jump at this.
I just wanted to see if anyone had feedback. I am trying to think outside of the box considering that the typical procedure seems to be ineffective.
DA 200 is your friend.
Wish I could help.
Have you tried OCS? I'm not sure what the process would be for a reserve Soldier to go to OCS for AD though.... OCS sounds like a faster solution though. Once you have an approved packet, you get a date very quickly. Any OCS guys want to chime in?
-Sassy
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" -Eleanor Roosevelt
I'd go back to school for the master's and work it from that angle. Although, if the reserves are paying for your degree it might get a little interesting if they refuse to let you go after they finance your education.
Fuck you, Ass.
I don't believe Green to Gold is applicable to reservists, but I could be wrong. It's been a while since looked at, but while trying to help out one of my Soldiers, I discovered that if you have X amount of college credits already, they will continue your pay at your highest rank achieved (and a full scholarship.) Unfortunately I want to say that it can only be used towards a bachelors, but may be worth looking into.
-Sammy
Counsel Yourself!
OK.....so.....update....yeah......
Well, I have learned that my MACOM has a new policy out there that basically, in my humble opinion, abuses Soldiers that wish to be released to Active Duty. The typical procedure for a Reservist is to submit a 368/4187 and have it approved at the TEC. Well, now they are looking for an opportunity to deploy you before they consider releasing you, thus getting them a body to cross-level to another deploying unit(as there are always units in the TEC deploying) and then placing the soldier in the same situation once they return. My PS was not too thrilled when he found this out. Basically, you keep applying, and it seems that they will keep deploying you. We have a Soldier who just returned and will now be deploying again in lieu of being released to AD.
Well, not being one to be deterred, I have now decided to go ahead and do the ROTC thing. It adds a couple years to my plan, but my civilian job pays pretty well, is flexible enough for me to work class/lab in....and I can complete my Masters at a very leisurely pace. We are now working to ensure that I am eligible(I required a waiver to enlist), but that does not seem to be much more than just a bit of paperwork if needed. The rub....the closest ROTC BN to where I am moving is a little over an hour away.
I appreciate everyone's input. I figure that my end-goal and getting into the career that I want long-term is worth the pain in the butt...especially considering the run-around I could get in other cases.
I look forward to getting more information through the threads and hopefully all will pan out and I will end up in a branch that I like!.
Keep up the good fight, and if there is anything else we could help you with, we'll try
"If you kick a tiger in the ass, you'd better have a plan to deal with the teeth." -Tom Clancy
Just wanted to drop a line to everyone. Everything seems to be tracking....so hopefully I will be trading the sham shield for a dot at the end of the summer. There should not be any waivers involved provided that my physical and everything else is updated properly on iPerms, etc.
On a related note to my unit and it's inability to process things properly....we are way, way, way overstrength. There are 83 Soldiers who must reclass or find new units. There are not enough slots for everyone to reclass....and the overages are due to innacurate vacancy lists being turned in. The really sad part is that a lot of those who just returned from Iraq with the unit are being forced to reclass or find a new unit...while a new Soldier (fresh from AIT) is being permitted to retain the slot. It would be a bit more understandable if there were a paygrade/MOS/billet alignment issue....but in many of these cases, there are none of these issues. I was asked by one of my Battle-Buddies to speak with a congressional aide that he was working with regarding his issue in the unit. Normally, I would not get involved in this...but I am one of the 83 getting bounced around after they had already reclassed me to fill a billet. I spoke to the Aide as a witness, and apparently he has had over 30 calls from Soldiers in my unit! He asked if I had any issues, and I explained that I had asked over a year ago to be released and that I never heard back about my paperwork, but when I had followed up, I had found that my paperwork never even made it as high as brigade despite the policies in place by USARC. Apparently in the shuffle, he is going to try to get a special exemption to move me administratively to Active Duty, and allow me to retain my current MOS and report to active duty without having to submit through my chain of command. He is also going to see about what it would take to get me to OCS. Even if I were released under the normal procedure, I couldn't enlist due to what MOS's USAREC is taking at my paygrade. He thinks that he could use that as leverage and get me boarded for OCS before getting orders cut. I will admit that I am a bit skeptical.....but since I don't really have a "home" in the Reserves and he seemed pretty confident, I am open to the idea. I would be amazed if he actually pulled it off, but who knows these days....I get surprised daily at what kind of karma people can have.
So, the question then becomes.....what are the advantages/disadvantages to my options that may be open. My options, if the Aide can pull it off, become:
-Spend Enlisted time on Active Duty, and then apply to OCS once I have proven myself more
-Go directly to OCS, provided that I am selected and can be released
-Utilize ROTC to hopefully commission on AD after 2 years
-Put in my Direct Commission packet and stay Reserves(paperwork is mostly completed and this seems to be my last choice since I really want to go AD)
Overall, I have set the goal to earn my Commission...so if everything is accurate and I get lucky...I think going AD OCS now is my first choice, but I really don't know at this point.
Any advice, beat-downs and beer money will be accepted! lol
I'm not sure why you feel the need to prove yourself more. I would say get rolling ASAP to start your officer career. I don't think a great amount of enlisted time really gives you much of a leg up on anyone else, especially in the reserves, unless you do a deployment. However, deployment would probably increase your enlisted time and make this entire process last longer.-Spend Enlisted time on Active Duty, and then apply to OCS once I have proven myself more
This is your best option time-wise, however, OCS typically gets last choice of branches, so if you are dead set on some difficult branch to get, ROTC is a better bet.-Go directly to OCS, provided that I am selected and can be released
Best bet if you want some sought-after branch like Armor, Infantry, Aviation, or Intel-Utilize ROTC to hopefully commission on AD after 2 years
As you already stated, this is your last option since you want AD.-Put in my Direct Commission packet and stay Reserves(paperwork is mostly completed and this seems to be my last choice since I really want to go AD)
That's my .02 on it all.
-Sassy
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" -Eleanor Roosevelt
Another update.
All I have left is to take the APFT(August 11, which I am honestly a little nervous about....my run has sucked lately), and I will be a contracted MS-III. I won't be completing my MBA, but instead I will take a second Bachelor's degree and complete all but one class of my MBA. Fortunately, I will be able to take that last class online afterwards....so no big deal. ROTC became my only real option.
Now, I am working on setting my intermediate goals.
A few questions....
Anyone have advice regarding Branching? I have heard a lot of things. One of which being choose a Combat Arms branch if I wish to have a long career...which I do. Then again, I still have a little pride in my current enlisted branch(Chemical) and could see something like Ordinance or QM being interesting as well. I have heard that if you choose a CS or CSS branch, you may end up not being able to advance. Not having a lot of experience, I would estimate that my top branches(in no particular order) would be: FA, AR, CM, QM, OD, and EN.....ADA possibly. Then again, I can definitely see the draw of IN since I love the field, I don't mind rucking, and can see how it would be more than enjoyable. Basically, I am looking to set myself up for long-term success but hopefully still be doing something that I love. I can't guarantee that I will do 20+, but I would like it to be my decision. Any insight or advice will be helpful. How competitive are some of these branches out of ROTC? Also...I would like to be able to find something with some unique opportunities....maybe even opportunities within USASOC.
Secondly, I can get the gist of ADSO through ROTC, but can someone give me the specifics. The Major that I am working with is swamped since he is short handed and I keep forgetting to ask him since he is so busy. I am not going for MI or AV, so I figure this may help me get Active Duty and a branch I like.
Thanks everyone! I feel great about this new opportunity.
Have you thought about doing SMP? Also, as far as branching is concerned... I wouldn't worry as much about advancement opportunity and think more about what you think you would enjoy the most. Being able to advance to a high rank doesn't mean shit if you hate your job and want to get out ASAP. You also mentioned you would like to be able to find some unique opportunities. I don't know much about how you would need to get into USASOC, but I could certainly ask my uncle about if if you would like (He's been working within JSOC for a while now and was a Nightstalker as a junior officer I believe). Other opportunities could arise from what you're majoring in or what skill set you possess. For instance, I am majoring in IT, so a unique opportunity for me could be branching out from 25A (assuming I get branched Signal..) and going into FA24/FA53. If you're a criminal justice major, i'm assuming that would help you get in with the CID. If you speak a foreign language, then your chance of getting an FAO slot within that region is greatly improved. I'm not sure what you're majoring in, but if it gives you a skillset that is directly applicable to the Army, there's a chance you could end up working in that field.Originally Posted by PilSung
Keep in mind though, I'm only a lowly MSI with a great interest in the military so take my advice with a grain of salt until other more experienced members can read over this and give their thoughts. This is mostly conjecture but I hope it can at least give you something to think or talk to others about.
I wish you the best of luck!
I am going to be SMP...since I am currently a Reservist, it is a requirement.
I am all for gaining any information, so if you happen to talk to your uncle, I am all ears on anything he may say!
The one thing I have learned as a Soldier....it comes down often to your job and the people around you...no neccesarily your MOS or branch...so I am pretty open. Given, AG does not interest me....but something that requires strong leadership, some field time and new challenges will definitely be up my alley!
Doh! Of course
I'll give him a call tomorrow, this topic is something that interests me as well.
Wasn't able to get ahold of him today. Will try again this weekend.
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