"Declination of continued service" How is it taking care of soldiers by forcing them to sign a DA Form 4991?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:38:09 -0400

SM#1 who is an average soldier has been duty station for 18 months with 7 months remain until ETS SM requests military school. SM is authorized to go because he meets the 6 months remaining in service to attend. SM#2 is exceptional and married and has been at duty station for 30 months and comes down on orders but his ETS date is in 11 months. He is required to sign a 4991 preventing school.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2017 8:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:44:04 -0400

It all depends on the individual soldiers needs. I reenlisted for five years for stabilization in 2010. A year to the day I came down on orders, DA select for recruiting. I was about to marry a doctor who needed that stabilization, and I was planning on leaving Active Duty for the Guard. So rather than give up on my relationship, I signed the dec statement. I spent the next four years building a tremendous record of NCOERs, got out, and started an extremely competitively AGR position (best job ever!) in an infantry company in the oldest unit in the military (1-182 In, since 1636). Dec statement worked for me, it can work for others. counse, coach and mentor towards continued success, whether it's headed down a path in the army our outside of it.

Response by SFC Craig Starr made Aug 23 at 2017 8:10 AM

SFC Craig Starr — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 08:10:42 -0400

"The service" is all about duty and flexibility. I was told once by a NCO mentor when I was young, every day is the Opertunity to continue to serve. When you think the service is thier for your bennifit, you might need to relook at why your in.

Both soldiers are oresent d with opertunities. SM#1 an Opertunity to appreciate the service giving him the Opertunity to train (retention tool). SM#2 30 month ago on station, new opertunities to break complacency, new challenges, if he or she isn't willing to PCS they may no longer have the needed flexibility to serve anytime, anyplace. Thank them for their service, sign the DEC and move on.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 24 at 2017 12:01 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 12:01:16 -0400

because needs of the Army will always outweigh the wants and needs of the individual soldier - sign a dec statement tells the Army that you no longer put the needs of the service first