Posted on Sep 18, 2021
Can an officer branch transfer from RA to USAR?
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I have been working to become a chaplain for a while; requesting entrance into the chaplain candidacy program. My Chaplain recruiter, S1 shops, and others have all been assisting me with this. I would greatly appreciate help if anyone has further information on navigating an ADSO. This is where I seem to be out of options.
FYSA:
- Endorsed by LBF
- Secured conditional release MFR from current branch
- anticipating BDE CMDR signature of DD368
- Recruiter packet complete, awaiting submission to chaplain board in NOV
- Accepted into Grad school
- need to be released from RA. I was a non-scholarship ROTC grad (used GI Bill), a little shy of DMG. I bring this up because it seems to matter for para. 2-5.
AR 600-8-24, para 5-13 (Release to attend a school)
An officer who is commissioned through a funded program or a training recipient (for example, ROTC) will not be released until completion of that initial service school obligation.
The CG HRC is the approval authority for RA and USAR AGR officers with the exception of officers indicated below.
1) JAGC
2) Chaplains
(Approving authorities likely the office of the chief of chaplains, address found in para 2-2)
AR 600-8-24.para 2-5 (Release for personal reasons)
There are several eligibility requirements here, but I got lost in the information. I think this may be a viable route? I am seeking a branch transfer for religious/personal reasons. The idea is to return to AD as a Chaplain to complete ADSO requirements.
ADSO currently says I owe four years, no other specifics as far I can tell.
FYSA:
- Endorsed by LBF
- Secured conditional release MFR from current branch
- anticipating BDE CMDR signature of DD368
- Recruiter packet complete, awaiting submission to chaplain board in NOV
- Accepted into Grad school
- need to be released from RA. I was a non-scholarship ROTC grad (used GI Bill), a little shy of DMG. I bring this up because it seems to matter for para. 2-5.
AR 600-8-24, para 5-13 (Release to attend a school)
An officer who is commissioned through a funded program or a training recipient (for example, ROTC) will not be released until completion of that initial service school obligation.
The CG HRC is the approval authority for RA and USAR AGR officers with the exception of officers indicated below.
1) JAGC
2) Chaplains
(Approving authorities likely the office of the chief of chaplains, address found in para 2-2)
AR 600-8-24.para 2-5 (Release for personal reasons)
There are several eligibility requirements here, but I got lost in the information. I think this may be a viable route? I am seeking a branch transfer for religious/personal reasons. The idea is to return to AD as a Chaplain to complete ADSO requirements.
ADSO currently says I owe four years, no other specifics as far I can tell.
Chaplain
Officer
Recruiter
56X: Chaplain Candidate
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 4
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Personal reasons does not include wanting to apply to a chaplaincy. Don't confuse personal reasons with valid exemptions. The CG is still the approval authority for your ADSO exemption because you are not a JAG or Chaplain yet. The Chaplain Corps and JAG Corps run their own personnel actions, but until you are part of them you are not controlled by them.
As LTC Martin Glynn stated there is no navigating an ADSO. You can't leave and then return to fill the original ADSO, because there is no guarantee that you'll actually return. You must be granted a waiver of the ADSO and once the waiver is granted you will no longer be required to fulfill that previous ADSO. Although, I have to agree, a four year ADSO is not a significant amount of time to fulfill and it will make you a better Chaplain if you spend that time feeling the suck before you go.
You were a non-funded commission, the ADSO is usually three or four years depending upon the commission route; four years for ROTC and three years for OCS, if I remember correctly.
As LTC Martin Glynn stated there is no navigating an ADSO. You can't leave and then return to fill the original ADSO, because there is no guarantee that you'll actually return. You must be granted a waiver of the ADSO and once the waiver is granted you will no longer be required to fulfill that previous ADSO. Although, I have to agree, a four year ADSO is not a significant amount of time to fulfill and it will make you a better Chaplain if you spend that time feeling the suck before you go.
You were a non-funded commission, the ADSO is usually three or four years depending upon the commission route; four years for ROTC and three years for OCS, if I remember correctly.
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SFC (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) you don't have to agree with me, but you already agreed with your contract. You agreed to an ADSO/SRR. Changing your mid or your mood doesn't negate your obligation. You may find that HRC is willing to grant you a ADSO waiver if you're accepted into the Chaplain Corps, but "my heart is in a different place" is Conscientious Objector language and that is a different exemption
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1LT (Join to see)
What? I said I did not agree that feeling the suck will make me a better chaplain. In no way was I implying my heart is in opposition to the oath I took or the service I have rendered to our organization and this country.
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SFC (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) you just said I don't agree, which leaves it open to the other person to determine what you disagree with. I actually thought you meant that you don't agree with my assessment of "personal reasons" ADSO waiver. I guess that is a low risk life lesson on communication.
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There’s no such thing as “navigating” an ADSO. You either fulfill it, or the Army releases you from it. If your intent is to leave active duty before the end of your 4-year ADSO, your packet just has to include a request for an ADSO waiver, with a well-articulated justification that includes points such as your intent to return to active duty as a Chaplain, start date for your first grad school term, etc. But if you’re already a 1LT, how much ADSO time have you got left ? By the time your packet is processed, your ADSO might be nearly done anyway.
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LTC Martin Glynn
I recommend getting your S1 to help you with requesting a partial ADSO waiver (it’s not a complete ADSO waiver, because you’ve already fulfilled a big part of it). Service Academy graduates selected to play professional sports have successfully gotten waivers allowing them to serve their ADSO’s in the Reserve Component, so as a non-scholarship ROTC graduate with a good justification, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a partial ADSO waiver and an early release from active duty to become a Chaplain.
I applaud your intent to become a Chaplain, by the way. We need all the good Chaplains we can get.
I applaud your intent to become a Chaplain, by the way. We need all the good Chaplains we can get.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you sir. I need to circle around with S1. I am hoping there is a way through it, my wife and I have had long talks about this decision to enter ministry since arriving at our latest duty station.
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How did you get a USA commission if you were not scholarship nor DMG? I heard they are handing them out in Cracker Jack boxes, but really? LOL I remember that you used to be Airborne or Ranger to integrate. They had OF prefix.
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