My unit refuses to release me for WOCS. What are my options?

I see you didn’t do your research, Chief. When I went through WOCS, CW2 Christopher Esparza, this was a prevalent issue. Commanders absolutely can and do delay - sometimes for rediculous amounts of time - a Soldier’s ability to go to school. Being supportive of those decisions is part of being a military leader; being defiant of them isn’t how you want to be remembered by your old unit. The army is too small to begin burning bridges as a WOC.

I actually did do my research, the selection process now is not the same as it was 9 years ago. The only real delay to school is if you are currently serving in a life cycle unit

By lifecycle, are you referring to the difference between MTOE and TDA units? I agree there’s no good reason for a TDA unit to hold back a Soldier, but MTOE unit’s have a heightened focus on readiness that empowers commands to make mission-first decisions. I’m not saying it’s right, nor do I think you need to take that JMO’s word for it and not seek guidance from higher, but we’re here to share transparency across the force, not talk trash about our fellow Soldiers.

CW2 Christopher Esparza I know i am late to this party, but my god I'm glad someone has some knowledge on this subject. So first I'm going to assume this question is being asked by a person that is on active duty, if not, then disregard as I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my name on what I'm about to say. Ok so, 1LT James Forwood, you seem to mean well and respond with genuine intentions, but you are most certainly misinformed. As a Personnel Officer with enough experience to help this E6 out i can say without a doubt that there had better be a DAMN good reason to hold back an individual from going to a DA Select school PME. Sure, it's possible for a deferment, but only in rare cases such as a deployment and if the Soldier isn't on board with said deferment it’s even less likely. Further, the command has ZERO say in that approval. The request is submitted through the individual’s branch or projected branch for approval. Here’s the deal, some of the responses are encouraging the idea that this is something normal etc…however, please hear me when I say that this is only normal because Soldiers are not informed nor educated on subjects such as these and it’s so very important that the Army HR community always have the individual in mind when managing their careers and future goals. Here is the BLUF, to get selected for WOCS is very similar to getting selected for OCS. Your packet was ALREADY approved and submitted for consideration which means the command you fell under was well aware of your goals. If and when you get selected (which congrats is in order here for getting selected) course dates are backed by a timeline that is befitting to the overall quota for attendance at school and the projected timeline for the MER cycle those WOCS graduates will fall under. These projections aren’t in real-time and are used as a tool to project overall manning percentages and fill requirements. If just one request for a change in that schedule is granted it’s not just an easy check rog. So again, sure, it’s possible, but HIGHLY unlikely to get something like this approved and it is absolutely unfathomable how some of these responders think that an XO (a freaking MAJ) or a BN CDR for that matter have enough juice to just say “na man you ain’t leaving until we get a replacement or I feel all warm and fuzzy inside”. SSG Wraph, I know it’s been a few months, but if you still need help on this just send me a message. Good Luck!