What all should I consider between getting out ASAP or waiting for involuntary separation pay?

2024-06-20T17:11:49-04:00

I am at a point in my career where the realistic situation is that I would most likely not make Major (O4). With about six years of active duty time, does it make sense to let the promotion system play itself out at the end of which I would receive involuntary separation pay? Or is it wiser to get out now? Are there any negative post-military career consequences to being involuntary separated due to HYT?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2024 9:52 PM

2024-06-20T21:52:52-04:00

Negative post-military career consequences:
Most civilian employers will just see an honorable discharge and vet status.
MILVET civilian, gov't and gov't contract employers will see an inordinate amount of O3 time, separation as O3 and will know what happened. May or may not impact their decision.
The more important upside of getting out now is getting started now on a career with a much better retirement plan.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Jun 24 at 2024 6:48 AM

2024-06-24T06:48:03-04:00

Why not try changing your job, find something that you can work at and your good at,

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 24 at 2024 3:38 PM

2024-06-24T15:38:45-04:00

There's a lot of "it depends" in this answer. I was passed over for O-6 and chose to retire immediately. The main thing that played into that decision was an opportunity for civilian employment immediately after retirement. I still had kids at home, so a continuous flow of income was essential.

If your situation is such that you have a record that definitely would not support promotion to O-4, then you need to line up your personal priorities and let those guide you as to when to get out. If your highest priority, for example, is advanced education, then look around for a degree program that will accept you and get out in time to start school as soon as you can. If your highest priority is a steady income flow, then you should start a job search immediately. When the job you want comes along, then get out. If you need to maximize your time on active duty to sort out your personal life, then go that way and wait for the involuntary separation.

As far as employment goes, being passed over won't be obvious on your resume unless you make it so. You'll be honorably discharged and a veteran. Most employers won't ask a lot of questions about your military service unless it has direct relationship to their business. Figure out how to answer the "why did you get out?" question in advance without necessarily telling them you twice failed promotion. Sometimes something like, "I felt I wasn't going anywhere in the Service and I'd done my part."