Is your ETS date your last day in the military or first day as a civilian?

2021-01-04T09:04:31-05:00

I know it may seem like splitting hairs, but I can't seem to find the authoritative answer. My HR dept. is saying that I am still a Soldier on my ETS date, but I've read elsewhere that the ETS date means the contract (terms of service) is expired and I'm free to be a civilian or enlist in another branch.

AR 635-200 didn't really give me any help. Can anyone answer this definitively with source(s)? it affects my backward planning for terminal leave, outprocessing, and my plans following the Army; only by one day, granted, but still.

Thanks in advance!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2021 9:49 AM

2021-01-04T09:49:25-05:00

Your ETS date is your date of discharge. That day counts for service, the next day you are a civilian

Response by SPC Joseph Kopac made Jan 4 at 2021 10:58 AM

2021-01-04T10:58:48-05:00

When I got drafted, didn't know it at the time, but I was obligated for 6 years. 2 active and 4 in the reserves. I got a letter and bus ticket for 4 summers in a row and was told to report to Camp Drum, NY. I just threw the letters away and no one ever came after me. My Honorable Discharge came in the mail exactly 6 years later, on the same month and day on which I was drafted.

Response by Col Tri Trinh made Jan 4 at 2021 4:05 PM

2021-01-04T16:05:28-05:00

Not sure why you don't trust your HR. You can always ask your HR to help you under stand what you are not clear on and why it is important to you. If things don't turn out as planned, you can always go back to that exact person to have your matter corrected.
AR 635-200 didn't provide a definition of ETS as you stated. Whatever your ETS date is, use the following day as freedom from any current military commitment.
For Terminal leave, you have to count the day the ETS is on as a Terminal Leave day.
For out processing, I recommend you out-process several days prior to taking terminal leave just incase you need to take an action on some matter you hadn't anticipated.
You are not going to be able to swear in to another service on your ETS date, it will have to be the next day.
Hope that helps.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jan 5 at 2021 11:21 AM

2021-01-05T11:21:17-05:00

It’s on your DD-214 no, my EAS and my inactive reserve dates are clearly listed.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 5 at 2021 10:13 PM

2021-01-05T22:13:14-05:00

The last day of your EAS/ETS is your last day. That’s the day you pickup your DD214. The day after you leave active service is your first day as a civilian.