Can someone please clarify the transition timelines under an Unqualified Separation and/or separation for twice being passed over?

SPC Bonny Stillhitched — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 09:50:39 -0400

Asking to help my husband along the way. I served, but enlisted. So some of this is foreign to me.

Back story.
My husband was passed over for MAJ in his primary zone at the last board. He doesn't have anything derogatory in his file, just had no ACOMS to show, either. Rather than take my advice, turn tail and run from ROTC land like hell, he stayed the course and they worked him like a dog...still no ACOM (I can't remember the new name) to show for the board. Reality set in for him. He dropped his AGR packet for the board convening this month the day he got his OER.

Husband contacted DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) and they sound not only promising, but also short-handed where he wants to go. The problem is they cannot secure him a position without an exit date from active Army.

Here is where it gets tricky. We expect his his above zone board to convene next month. If pattern continues like it has in the last couple years, results could be as late as March coming out...but we are planning for December to be safe. After some meticulous math on my part, networking, asking questions, etc., he realized his chance of getting selected AZ are grim and riding on that means missing out on other opportunities to salvage the second half of his career. So, we agreed that he needs to resign from active duty to try to take this DLA position. Yes, I'm aware they deploy frequently. Yes, I can handle it like I have in the past...by putting on my big girl panties and driving on. It is what we both want and is what is best for us.

The problem is the race to the board results. I've been told different time frames for Unqualified Resignations and, frankly, do not know enough about them. I will first say, a double passover trumps every other action, automatically gives him a designated final out date, and makes the chances of active reserves almost zero. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of that. I've also been told resignation takes 6 to 12 months, but can somehow take as little as 3. So, how do we go about shortening this time frame and getting a final out date so he can secure a DLA active reserve slot? If his final out date is before the board results come out, we are golden. If not, reservist and civilian life it is.

Also, talk to me about UQRs. Is this a full resignation of commission? Is he required to stay the course to keep his commission in the reserves or can he do a UQR and transfer? I know there's a smooth way to transfer from one to another, but information is sparse on the process.

I'm a realist who prepares for everything. After the loss of identity I dealt with when I hung up my uniform, the last thing I want is for my husband to not go out on his own terms. I want to help him as much as I can through this process and be prepared for whatever is thrown our way.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 14 at 2016 10:09 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 10:09:36 -0400

Some really great questions here. I am not qualified to give detailed answers on all of them, but can hit on a few.
1. Yes, above the zone is looking really grim. Unless it is clear that the branch under selected the last several years, especially without a string of ACOMs in the file or other special qualifier (only Officer in the force with X special skill, etc), I would rationally assess an AZ selection probability as being 0% for planning purposes.
2. An unqualified resignation is exactly that. "I no longer wish to be in the Army. Bye." As soon as it is approved, you are a full-on civilian. If there is some remaining service obligation, it gets a little tricky, but from your scenario, it doesn't appear that is a factor. I would recommend separation/transfer to the IRR as the superior path - much more flexibility.
3. As far as shortening the separation process, the easiest way to do that would be to NOT compete for the board AND have a bona-fide job offer in hand. Not thinking that is your ideal COA. (0% for planning purposes is different from 0%...)

Not really sure about the DLA "active reserve" thing - is that a mobilized tour, an AGR thing? etc? They are very different beasts. Without better understanding of that, I can't say anything coherent.

The main thing is to be really clear when talking about separation from active duty, transfer to the IRR (or other reserve status), and resigning. They are often casually referred to interchangeably, but are vastly different things. The only time I would drop an unqualified resignation is if I wanted to sever ALL relation whatsoever with the military going forward. It's sorta the nuke. In your/his situation, what would be wanted is a transfer to some reserve status.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 10:48 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 10:48:56 -0400

You are in a dilemma. When I faced this I took my records to the head of Air Force personnel. He reviewed the record and gave me the advice to ride it out because there was a $15,000 severance involved. It appears that is not a good option for you.

I wish there was something that could be done but doubt there is.

One question I have is does he have a lot of leave time that he could perhaps use?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 14 at 2016 11:24 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:24:11 -0400

I've been retired for over 20 years and from the Air Force, but I also worked as an Army Civilian from 2007 to 2013. I do "feel your pain" because I retired after my first pass over to Colonel.

The likelihood of making any officer grade above the zone is very small. In the Air Force it would have taken a very senior officer (3 or 4-star) writing something in your OER essentially telling the promotion board that the previous boards got it wrong. Hubby can hang for the ABZ board if he wants, but I don't see anything in your story that would indicate that he has a chance of making Major.

It's time to get real about the rest of your lives. The Army has clearly said he doesn't have a pathway to a successful career. I don't know why and you story doesn't tell me. I don't think simply not having a Commendation Medal makes the difference, but I'm not in the Army today. I think there's more to the story and you two need to deal with it realistically. He needs to resign his commission and move into civilian life. (I'll let others talk about the type of resignation and how long it takes.) Don't worry about joining the Reserve Component. Find a good job in the private sector or as a government civilian. (Being in the Reserve Component can actually limit access to some government jobs.)

I worked in the private sector for 16 years before becoming an Army Civilian. I interviewed many people for jobs with the government contractor company I worked for and for the Army. I've read hundreds of resumes also. Here's some advice for your husband:
-Decide what you like doing to make money and pursue work in that area. (You may need to take a stop-gap job in another field while you go to school or prepare to relocate.)
-Make family decisions. Normally the course in life that's best for your family, is the best decision.
-Do not mention being passed over in your resume and try to avoid it in interviews. It's not unusual for people to get out of the service as a Captain. Some employers may do some calculation on dates of service and wonder if he was passed over (I always did), but most won't care.
-He should use his GI Bill benefits to get additional education in his chosen field of work thus making him more attractive to a wider range of employers
-He must use his final separation move wisely. He doesn't have to move immediately after separation. Check the rules.
-Read the information in Rally Point and other sources on how to write a resume and how to interview.
-Network. He should be active in professional and social organizations in his chosen field of work. Lots of people find jobs because of who they know. Your network may not get you the job, but they may be able to help you target the places to apply.

I wish you and your husband the best of luck. I hope he finds gainful employment in a field he truly loves.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Jun 16 at 2016 10:34 AM

SSG Richard Reilly — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:34:48 -0400

Have him call his branch. There are seniors (COLs) that can help him.

Response by SPC Bonny Stillhitched made Feb 7 at 2018 9:12 PM

SPC Bonny Stillhitched — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:12:54 -0500

Update on us. My husband did get passed over AZ but I had a weird feeling he would be extended if he chose. He laughed at my premonition and had to say "honey, how the hell could you predict that?" a week later. He got extended 3 more years with the opportunity to promote.

However...and a big however it is, on his way from one place of work to another one morning he got hit by a 5 ton truck on his motorcycle. 2 surgeries, 130 plus doc appointments, and 17 months later and he will never be the same. PTSD, TBI, sleeping problems, hardware in his ankle, surgery to repair his left hand, and imminent back surgery, he is being medically retired in May/June. Not exactly how we planned for his career to come to a close, but he's alive. He's put together like Humpty Dumpty but he's alive.