How does Unqualified Resignation work with regard to timeline and post-approval actions?

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 13:17:51 -0400

I will be submitting an Unqualified Resignation in the near future but I'm a little confused as to the timeline and how EAS works upon approval. The order (MCO 1900.16) makes it sound like as soon as its approved you're on your way out but offers no processing timeline guidance and neither Admin nor Legal have provided a corroborating answer as to what happens after submission. How long does the routing typically take? Am I actually separated the same day the resignation is returned approved? Is there time to take care of separation items after approval? Any guidance would be appreciated.

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 1 at 2022 1:55 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 13:55:58 -0400

If you resign your commission, you out-process the same way as leaving the Service any other way - you'll get separation orders with an effective date on them. The speed on which it is acted greatly depends on who the approval authority is in your chain of command. The Marines might do it differently than the Army, but the ones that came though me to higher took months just to work their way though to the appropriate person.

If you have a service obligation still, then there will have to be a very compelling reason to let you resign your commission. From your profile it looks like you just went over eight years from commissioning, so unless you picked up another service obligation for schooling or such, you should be good for that.

Just to be clear, you're pursuing a UQR (Unqualified Resignation - I don't want to be a Marine officer anymore) and not a REFRAD (Release from Active Duty - you go into the Reserve Component)? Sometimes people interchange "I want to resign" with "I want to get off active duty".

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 1 at 2022 2:22 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 14:22:43 -0400

I did a bit more digging and it seems very much like the Army in process.

Approval is at the department Secretariat level (Secretary of the Navy in your case - "... to the Secretary of the Navy via the CMC (MMSR-5) and the COMMARFORRES" -- I have no clue who those are BTW). You'll likely have to get recommendations from commanders (not just approval though the chain of command) as well.

Resignation vs REFRAD - With the personnel shortages going on in all the services, I think you'll have a huge hill to climb if you have a remaining service obligation (doing a resignation and not serving the rest of your time in the reserve component). REFRAD might not be an option if you still have an ADSO (Active Duty Service Obligation) remaining.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2022 11:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 11:02:40 -0400

I can't give you the answer for the USMC, but I can tell you how it's done in the Army. You submit your UQR request along with your requested ETS/EAS. Upon approval, that is your separation date. For the Army, it has to be at least 90 days away, that's because of federal laws requiring at least 90 days to separate. There is usually a max amount out you can request, for the Army I think it is one year. It is probably between six and twelve months for the other services.

Response by CPT Robert Madore made Sep 2 at 2022 1:39 PM

CPT Robert Madore — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 13:39:28 -0400

I submitted my unqualified and the process was quick. I was discharged within 30 days from filing. But be prepared for extremely low ratings from your supervisors. Ratings in the 20s is not uncommon. I submitted mine in November 1973 and was discharged December 21, 1973, from the Army.