Early out option to complete drawn down goals

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 12:02:59 -0400

Is there a program that allows service members an early out? Since there is a big push to remove a whole bunch of us wouldn't this be the most effective way to o it. Instead of a long drawn out QMP or APFT/HTWT failure attrition?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 2:13 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 14:13:06 -0400

The Air Force has one so you guys should as well. But our numbers are smaller and it was a huge cluster so who knows.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 29 at 2014 3:32 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 15:32:42 -0400

I know it's been done in the past. After Desert Storm they were actually paying folks to leave early (VSI and SSB programs). It wouldn't surprise me if they brought them back, or at least opened up limited early outs in the future.

Response by SGT(P) Michael H. made Jun 30 at 2014 11:22 AM

SGT(P) Michael H. — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:22:04 -0400

SGT Brooks,

I've been asking some of the same questions. It would certainly make sense to offer a program like this, especially in light of many soldiers' paper work being pencil whipped, as I've seen so many times, in order to keep them in regardless of certain shortfalls and disqualifying conditions. It happens, and those of us who have been meeting the standard are being drawn down because of RCP (prior service to be exact) when we're more than capable of doing our jobs, and meet the standards! If you want to put us out, offer us some kind of incentive at least, don't just dump us because of time constraints. (RCP is a whole package for discussion in and of itself). Just my humble $.02 worth.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jul 1 at 2014 8:38 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:38:27 -0400

Yes...but you must meet the criteria.

Enlisted Voluntary Early Separation Program

The Enlisted Voluntary Early Separation Program authorizes commanders to approve early separation prior to contractual ETS for Army enlisted Soldiers...

Response by MSG Sean Milhauser made Jul 2 at 2014 11:59 PM

MSG Sean Milhauser — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 23:59:43 -0400

I think for the Army, it may be a good time to revisit a tool we had several years back, where if a Soldier was barred from reenlistment (by their local commander), they could request voluntary separation if they didn't think they could meet the criteria to overcome the bar. Note that it was a voluntary separation request, so they wouldn't be receiving separation pay. I believe there would be a fair percentage of soldiers that would request that and therefore contribute to the overall end-strength reductions.