How can I pursue an exception to policy to avoid separation from the USAR for not yet having completed AIT before 24 months TIS?

2024-12-14T12:38:52-05:00

Good day all!
This is partially a follow up on my previous post. Quick background- am a current drilling reservist with 22months TIS, I enlisted as a 09R (SMP Cadet) but did not end up contracting ROTC and have been trying to get sent to AIT for 38B (Civil Affairs) since February 2024. I have completed BCT, no discipline whatsoever, green on attendance to BA etc.

I received a call regarding my attempt to get into AIT, while they managed to sort out the issues I was having, unfortunately the next class start date is past my 24months TIS mark. I was told that without an ETP signed by the Secretary of the Army my unit will be forced to give me an entry level separation. Even if the paperwork for that separation takes a few months I will still have to separate then re-enlist. Unless my unit can somehow get the ETP signed by Early February (I doubt it but I did reach out to my congressional office to see if their any chance they can try to get it expedited)

If anyone has any comments/advice about getting that ETP please feel free to leave them but my main questions regard re-enlisting after getting separated. I reached out a local recruiter and got "It depends" or "I'll look into it" as an answer to all of these-
Will I keep my previous TIS/Rank?
Will I keep my previous Awards?
Is my ELS dishonorable/other than honorable?
Is their anything I should know about re-enlisting after getting an ELS?
Negatives of an ELS for future federal jobs? (even if I re-enlist after)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2024 6:51 PM

2024-12-14T18:51:53-05:00

Your ELS will not be dishonorable. It will be "Other than" however.

You're basically not getting an ETP memo from the Sec Army for a PFC trying to get an extension for a desired AIT. She'd have to be your aunt (but then you'd have been an officer anyway). You can pick up any Quartermaster school date right now before 24 months.

Ironically, if you graduated college then you'll get back in as a SPC/E4.

The amount of desperation there is among recruiting in the USAR ranks I foresee enlisting being a relatively easy task.

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Now, what all the other readers are very curious about:
1) Why did 22+ months pass by after you were passed over for commission before your chain of command could get you an AIT school date. That was my Brigade Commander's #1 priority (even above medical readiness). Absolutely everyone on the books needs to be MOS qualified. We can work around medical readiness and fitness, but non MOS qualified is a dead stop no-go. There is no waiver to deploy non MOSQ soldiers.

2) Then I wonder to a lesser degree, becoming a USAR officer has never been easier. How could you not get selected for a TPU (monthly drilling) 2LT slot?

Did you pass up in other opportunities presented to you? This going on this long without an AIT school date is a major fail somewhere.

There are 22 times more Quartermaster slots for E3/E4 than there are for 38B (and this might be something interesting, all the 38B vacancies are E4+ and you're a E3). Then additionally, a USAR unit taking a new soldier needs to be within the commuting distance of the applying soldier's home of record. Otherwise, that too needs a commander's waiver memo (I've signed enough of them myself).

I can see barriers of entry to 38B, but it's highly likely something was available in the 22 months that passed to get you MOSQ. What gives?

So...................... if you want back in.............. it's probably going to be among the paths already presented to you previously to say in.

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You'll have an Other Than Honorable DD214 looming over your head.
The quickest way to clear that up is an active duty enlistment and knock out 3 years. Reserve will be 6+ years.
Better be quick about it while your Basic Training Certificate is still valid.

So that's the larger life question. Eat the other than honorable the rest of your life or do what is needed to erase it.