I don't want to be a Sergeant anymore. Can I request my CO demote me?

2021-08-10T23:34:32-04:00

I never wanted to go to BLC or to the board. I have no desire to lead anyone. I am stressed out. I am currently on profile, overweight, and am flagged. I can hardly take care of myself, let alone three other individuals. I just want to throw in the towel and quit the Army.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 10 at 2021 11:52 PM

2021-08-10T23:52:51-04:00

Sounds like you need to visit behavioral health tomorrow.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2021 12:03 AM

2021-08-11T00:03:08-04:00

Hey man, message me and we can talk. It’s tough to stay focused when you’re going through a rough time. We can talk more offline if you wish but if not, use the open door policy, and express your concerns.

Follow the Majors advice and seek the behavioral health clinic. No shame in asking for help or seeking to talk to someone. Good luck! Hope to hear from you in my messages.

Response by SFC Gary Harney made Aug 11 at 2021 12:10 AM

2021-08-11T00:10:15-04:00

I would suggest you go talk with your Commander, 1SG, or Chaplain first thing in the morning. The path you are on is not a good place to be and if you don’t let someone talk with you about these feelings, it could lead to a dark place that no one wants to see you in. You have already taken the first step and asked the community here in Rally Point for help. I implore you to not let these emotions you are feeling fester any long. There are a lot of good people in the Army who will listen to what you have to say. You just have to be willing to take that next step and ask them. There is no need to feel bad about asking for help, we all, and I mean WE ALL need help sometimes. Please dont wait any long talk to someone tomorrow.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2021 2:01 AM

2021-08-11T02:01:47-04:00

Yes, your Command team can conduct and administrative grade reduction board and reduce you with no negative consequences (except possibly exceeding your RCP) and you can reboard and promote when you're ready

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 11 at 2021 9:31 AM

2021-08-11T09:31:09-04:00

That was why there were Specialist Ratings. I was an Sp/5 with 3 digits of Proficiency Pay ($30 3ea = $90) it more than made up the difference

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 11 at 2021 10:39 AM

2021-08-11T10:39:17-04:00

Agree with MAJ Byron Oyler. Get your physical and mental health in order, complete your contract, get honorable discharge, be a civilian.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 11 at 2021 10:56 AM

2021-08-11T10:56:51-04:00

AR 600-8-10
Chapter 10
Reductions in Grade
Section I
Reduction Management
10–1. Administrative reductions

Voluntary reduction is only permissible under very specific circumstances (below). If you don't meet one of the criteria, you would need to have a reduction board convened.

10–18. Voluntary reduction
a. U.S. Army Reserve (TPU). A Soldier may volunteer for reduction to one or more lower grades for the purpose of qualifying for an assignment in a lessor grade based on an existing vacancy within a TPU. This reduction is authorized provided the Soldier has not attained the maximum years of service in the rank to which reduced (see AR 140–10).
(1) A reduction board will not be conducted for voluntary reductions.
(2) The DOR will be the date of the rank to which reduced as if the Soldier had never attained a rank higher than that to which reduced.
b. Army National Guard (Title 32). If approved by the unit CDR, a Soldier may volunteer, in writing, on DA Form 4187 for reduction to any lower rank for reassignment to another position, to another program, or to continue in service. The promotion authority may then administratively reduce the Soldier; no reduction board will be conducted. The DOR will remain the same as previously held in the rank to which reduced. The DOR for Soldiers who take a reduction to enter the AGR Program will remain the same as previously held in the rank to which reduced.

https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN17424_R600_8_19_Admin_FINAL.pdf

ARN17424_R600_8_19_Admin_FINAL.pdf

Response by SPC Richard DiCristi made Aug 11 at 2021 12:17 PM

2021-08-11T12:17:50-04:00

Talk to someone and see what can be worked out. The Army is not a good place to be if you're unhappy with your situation. The advice to finish out your term Honorably and be a Civilian again is pretty sound. Then you can get on with your life without any negative consequences from your Service. I'm sure your CoC would rather help you than have to go another, less desirable, route.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2021 1:22 PM

2021-08-11T13:22:13-04:00

SGT Benson. You are brave to acknowledge where you are at and how it is affecting you. I hope you can get relief. Hopefully in the long term that also leads to you staying in the Army because we need soldiers and leaders with that kind of self awareness.

Response by SFC Eddy Meador made Aug 11 at 2021 4:39 PM

2021-08-11T16:39:33-04:00

How the heck are you even still in the Army? Why did you even join?

Go see a Chaplain (if the Army still even allows that) or go see a Mental Health Specialist. If you have problems that keep you from doing the job you were trained to do and promoted for then move out and allow that position to be occupied by someone who can do the job.

I hope everything works out for you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2021 7:01 AM

2021-08-12T07:01:55-04:00

Behavioral Health Office is a good place to start. Talk about what your feeling. Let your Chain of Command know you have got to do walk in with them. If you feel uncomfortable have someone go with you that you trust. Even if you are in COVID restrictions whatever base your Chain of Command will provide you with resources. If they don’t simply google “insert your base name behavioral health office”

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 12 at 2021 8:07 AM

2021-08-12T08:07:43-04:00

Not much information there, so your stressed out leading men in Garrison? It’s a self directing machine imo right there, if your an 03 and leading a Squad in direct combat is an issue you need to go to your Plt Sgt, then the company Gunny or your equivalent.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Aug 12 at 2021 12:05 PM

2021-08-12T12:05:24-04:00

There's already some very sound advice by others. The only thing I can add is that having made Sergeant is something that many employers will view as solid qualities and makes a resume more valuable.
Other than that, what SFC Gary Harney has advised is excellent advice.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 12 at 2021 1:06 PM

2021-08-12T13:06:06-04:00

I would recommend talking to both your 1st Sgt and Chaplain immediately. They will be able to help you build a strategy to move forward and also be able to assist with anything else you are dealing with. Hitting the ejection seat may seem like a solution but it isn't and will be alot more difficult than you think. Use your Command and use the resources available and I hope you find a way through it all. Good luck.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Aug 12 at 2021 3:54 PM

2021-08-12T15:54:35-04:00

I always wanted to be an NCO.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Aug 13 at 2021 8:57 AM

2021-08-13T08:57:26-04:00

I have questions however they can wait. So in my book the best thing to do is talk to the next person in your COC start with your Platoon SGT and move up from there it is always better to take your support group with you to accomplish anything you need fixed. It is possible that your PLT SGT, and PLT LDR can for the immediate moment get you some relief. That would be less stress and let you move on smoothly. This step would allow you to fix one thing at a time and keep it as low profile as possible.
If you are close to ETS then the COC may be able you temp fix things so you can quietly just ETS and go to new and better things. Good Luck

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 13 at 2021 1:06 PM

2021-08-13T13:06:58-04:00

Just a second thought: You don’t want to lead anybody so your definitely in the wrong business, if your an E1 you can sleep walk, but you more than likely be asked out of the Army, there’s no terminal E1. In this day and age saying I quit will probably be enough, but you also might get a downgraded discharge too. Certainly not my area of expertise, but we had one guy in HQ 5/10 who basically did that and the Company Gunny helped him thru the process. But I also think I recall a General Discharge too, there might always be some long term ramifications you might want to think thru, so your NCOIC is your first stop.

Response by MSG Jacqueline Case made Aug 29 at 2021 5:08 PM

2021-08-29T17:08:45-04:00

Young person it sounds like you need some mental health care. Ask for help; there is no shame in seeking help (at least there should not be), get yourself together and if you still want to call it quits do it then.

Response by PO2 Lon Hebert made Sep 17 at 2021 1:13 PM

2021-09-17T13:13:56-04:00

this makes no sence I was in the navy i Never saw anyone who got promoted to 2ND Class that did not want to be an E-5. You need to get your act together anyone who is an E-5 in the navy is a leader.

Response by 1SG Robert Rush made Sep 19 at 2021 10:15 AM

2021-09-19T10:15:34-04:00

Unless the ARs have changed, yes. I have had to do the very same action with 2 or 3 of my NCOs that could no longer handle their duties at that position. It is an administration reduction, not an article 15 action. But, you need to talk with your change of command, I.E., PSG, 1SG, CSM, along with your Platoon Leader. They could help you get over this hump.

Response by SSG Bob Teachout made Sep 20 at 2021 10:01 AM

2021-09-20T10:01:14-04:00

How much time till your ETS - if you are flagged -you will not be able to re-up anyways.
Take a look at Sgt York - he did not want to be in the Army, as he had some religious reasons for not killing others. He did get the advice of others - and ended up becoming a hero.
You need to find out the reasons you are stressed out - Is it other personal problems, Does the Army doctrine not agree with you. Is your MOS part of the situation? Could be a number of things or even a combination.

In addition - if you get squared away - and become an outstanding NCO - you could become a great assets to helping other lower ranking SM who would need the experience of someone like you.

Sgt John B - Allow me to share the advice that Cpt Hennin gave me over 40 years ago.
"Sp Teachout - we have no problems - we overcome challenges."

Keep in touch - Let me know when your retirement ceremony is - I would love to be there!

Response by CPL Terry Perry made Sep 22 at 2021 6:45 PM

2021-09-22T18:45:14-04:00

Plenty of specialist who would like to be promoted and take the responsibilities you want to give up keep your head up and ask for help

Response by SSG Leonard Cartwright made Oct 26 at 2021 4:21 PM

2021-10-26T16:21:07-04:00

Everyone echoing the same thing young man TALK to SOMEONE !

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2021 4:49 PM

2021-10-26T16:49:07-04:00

I've had, in fact, I still have a hair line fracture in each leg from shin splints and I retired in 2016 after a 26 year career. I just had my 2nd back surgery after an injury during a mission back in 2010. I can't sprint anymore due to multiple ham strings pulls and tears. But you know what, I never gave up and I never will. Although I'm retired now and can't lift anything over 25 lbs, I still keep moving. I have never said I will give up. You went to BLC and to the board, not because your 1SG, PSG, Section Chief told you to go, you went because you got yourself there. You showed everybody that you are capable of moving up in your career. Now, after you get out, if you do, are you going to sit at home and do nothing? I'm telling you, it's not easy out here in the civilian sector. Life is waiting to drag you down! Life is not about having a job/career out here. Working on your home is a task. Gardening, plumbing, kids, pets, automobile maintenance, marriage, its all work! If you have kids, are you going to tell them you gave up? C'mon, Brother! I'm not mad or trying to push you down, I'm trying to make you think about others before you decide to sink deeper in to darkness. You have others that are here and wherever are to help. Please don't ever think you're alone, Brother.

Now, SFC Gary Harney said it best, you need to talk with someone, preferably a Chaplain, seek mental health or as it is called Behavioral health now, I believe. Now, I'm a straight forward person and can be compassionate and empathetic. I used to be a SHARP during my time, reach out to me if you need to. God Bless and hope you realize where you are in life, Brother.

Response by SP5 John Burleson made Oct 31 at 2021 2:38 PM

2021-10-31T14:38:54-04:00

Quit whining and 10-49 to OCS.

Response by SP5 John Burleson made Oct 31 at 2021 2:39 PM

2021-10-31T14:39:24-04:00

Quit whining and go to OCS.