Posted on Nov 1, 2022
SSG Counterintelligence Special Agent
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If I get put on orders with less than 2 years of service left until my ETS, and I submit a declination of orders (DEC Statement), do I just finish the rest of my contract at my current duty station, or do I still have to report to my new assignment?

I understand that submitting a DEC Statement prevents me from reenlisting, nor do I want to. My next reenlistment would have to be INDEF. I prefer to finish the remainder of my contract at my current duty station. I appreciate all answers to my question in advance.
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Responses: 3
SFC Retention Operations Nco
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You can't decline orders, you can only decline to reenlist. If the assignment you declined has a two year SRR then you won't go (unless your branch manager chooses to waive your SRR). However you can still be reassigned to a location like Korea that has a one year SRR if you can meet it.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
SSG Roger Ayscue
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SFC (Join to see) isn't there or was there not a provision that if you signed a Dec Statement that HRC had the option to initiate separation proceedings against you?
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
SFC (Join to see)
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SSG Roger Ayscue that was a long time ago it was actually that you could request a voluntary separation if you had signed a Declination.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
SSG Roger Ayscue
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SFC (Join to see) - I knew it was in place at one time. Getting old. I just passed the torch to my son who just finished BCT last month. 5th Generation.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
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I understand that the branches vary but I never saw things work out well for someone who refused orders. Every single Marine I witnessed who refused orders committed a form of career suicide. Promptly after refusing orders they: received negative paperwork, received orders to a worse location than the one they refused, and were barred from reenlistment. They were allowed to finish their contract and receive an honorable discharge but it sky lined them all in the worst way possible. If there is a real red flag talk to leadership but if it is a location with a short tour of duty 12-18 months they may have you in a position where you are tagged and have to dance to the tune
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SFC Dan Thomsen
SFC Dan Thomsen
2 y
I signed one of these and was the reason I seperated. I got no negative feedback or effect on my evaluations or by the chain of command or NCO's at all. The Army wanted to send me to the next palce it needed someone of my rank and skill and to accept it I would have to extend/re-enlist. I declined to do so and accepted by signing it I was ETS'ing at the end of my contract. I do not understand why the anyone would say or think you are doing somethign wrong by wanting to end your service term normally. That is all you are signing is that you intend and now will exit the Army on your ETS and you will be barred from re-enlistment becuase you are declining a future assignment in relation to your expiration of service. Nothing negative about it at all.

And, I have seen several approved waivers for the bar of this type after 1 year of seperation for individuals to rejoin the service.
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SFC Dan Thomsen
SFC Dan Thomsen
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Also, I joined the ARNG afterwards becuase the bar was only for Active duty. 9 years later I went AGR and required no waiver of any kind.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
SSgt Christophe Murphy
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SFC Dan Thomsen - That's reasonable. Not re-enlisting or extending is a little different than the picture I painted with refusing orders to a duty station with enough time on contract to execute said orders. They do the same thing in the Marines in regards to Recruiting duty and other special duties. You get tagged with potential orders within 18 months of EAS (ETS) so if you were going to re-enlist you are already designated. You end up seeing folks get out and 12 months later decide they want back in and those orders to recruiting duty are still waiting for them on their record.
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SFC Dan Thomsen
SFC Dan Thomsen
2 y
Roger, if you have time left and every ability within your contract to serve out those orders and decline the order ...that is punishable under UCMJ without a approved exception from higher command. Did not mean to suggest you we're incorrect i just posted it to the wrong spot and realized it after doing it I was sub to your comment. Sorry if I caused confusion from it.
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SSG Public Safety
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The funny part about the army is there is no guarantee for anything. My answer would be the needs of the army honestly but SFC (Join to see) may have a more definite answer
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