How does a Senior NCO turned Officer succeed in the era of military drawdowns?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 14:46:24 -0500

As the military continues it's boards to reduce numbers, it seems that many of the affected Officers were once Enlisted. I have met CPTs that have been separated from the service that did not seem to have any red flags. What is the best way to ensure job security, other than just being a stellar performer as a Junior Officer?

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Feb 21 at 2016 3:11 PM

CPT Enrique M. — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 15:11:57 -0500

are we talking about active duty here or reserve?.. pardon the Junior Officer question..

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 21 at 2016 3:24 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 15:24:00 -0500

Diversify your record and chase programs that you are interested in. Have the Army invest in you within your branch and within programs that interest you. If you are victim to an osb as long as you have more than 15 years you can TERA, which isn't ideal but beats involuntary sep pay.

For anyone in denial, this is age discrimination. The Army actively discriminates across multiple categories, examples are congressionally mandated retirement dates, being fat, out of shape, medically disabled, etc. The sad part is in this example it isn't about who has a better record as prior enlisted would have more deployments and decorations. It is based on "potential for future service." Younger and less time in service equals more potential and cheaper.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 21 at 2016 5:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 17:20:32 -0500

The Senate Ways Means for Defense are now starting to say we drew down to fast and too deeply. That is news of hope.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 12:22 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:22:02 -0500

My guess (and it is a guess) is that they have curtailed recruiting to the point where our year groups will be safe from further cuts by the time we reach O-3. The reason the cuts are being made so abundantly is because year groups 08 and 09 were so packed full of LT's for the surge that those CPT YG's are now over strengthed. I don't feel like we will run into that issue by the time we make CPT. Our numbers should be right on par so long as there is natural attrition.

If it ever where to be an issue I'd say solid OERs and qualifications (like Ranger) to set you apart from your peers. From what we've been told here at ABOLC the system relies heavily on OERs.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 5:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:14:13 -0500

Off subject but this was the latest post under QMP. Does anyone know when the next round of QMP notifications will be issued?