How long (min/max) can you extend?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:04:02 -0500

I am supposed to deploy this year. My ets date has me getting out before the end of deployment. I am a squad leader and I want to deploy with my guys, but I am getting out of the army after. This isnt about if I want to get out or stay in. I want to know if its possible to just extend (roughly 6 months) to meet the deployment minimum. Because my battalion career counselor says the minimum is 12 months. After I get out I'm moving home to start a new job and adding that extra time could affect that. What I want to know is what is the minimum extension time and is there additional paperwork needed to have a shorter extension.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2020 8:28 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:28:44 -0500

I believe your Career Counselor is correct. If your ETS date is before 30 September 2021, you must extend for 12 months. Otherwise your chain of command could leave with the Rear Detachment until you ETS.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jan 21 at 2020 8:30 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:30:27 -0500

SGT Jesse Brand I don’t know enough based on what you provided about extensions. Are you finishing your first complete 8 year enlistment? If not I’d think that a “short” extension on “active” duty might be a possibility. I’m not understanding why your battalion retention NCO can’t help answer your question either?!?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2020 8:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:32:48 -0500

The deployment minimum is 90 days after your scheduled return, so your minimum extension would be nine months. You may want to round it up to a year because 90 days really isn't adequate time to transition out of the Army, especially if you plan on taking your transition leave. Having separated under the old ACAP program that you had to complete 90 days prior to ETS, 90 days is not enough time to transition. But if you choose to, you are eligible to extend under the reason of contingency operations. It's called a M extension and the reference is in DA Pam 601-280 5-5j

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 21 at 2020 8:38 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:38:03 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Thank you for caring about your Joes! That is all there is in life as a leader!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2020 10:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 22:05:06 -0500

I don't know the details of your situation or if they do stop-loss anymore but if they haven't you may be stuck on rear-d and ETS on time. The advice to extend for a year sounds solid as I have done a quick transition and it's not something I would recommend. Give yourself as much time as possible to transition and take advantage of every brief. There's a whole world of things I wish I knew when I got out. I'll be in until retirement this time but when I get to that point I'm not going to rush it like last time.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jan 22 at 2020 1:13 AM

CPL Gary Pifer — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 01:13:02 -0500

Just get out at ETS if you are not trying to gather up the years or points... normally ex servicemen cry at age 38 and 60... Another Soldier will take your place it's the nature of the game...