Should I push my WOCS date back?

2017-10-18T06:43:33-04:00

I just recently received reservation emails for Phase 1/2 of WOCS and WOBC. My command team is trying to force me to push back my WOCS school date so I stay through the deployment with them. Can this even be done and is it legal? I’ve already gone through so much resistance with my BN Commander on this and now that he knows I’m leaving for WOCS, he’s trying to push back my report date.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 6:46 AM

2017-10-18T06:46:36-04:00

A deferment for WOCS is done voluntarily and on a case by case basis. A deployment is a valid reason, but once again it is your decision since you were HQDA selected for WOCS.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 9:28 AM

2017-10-18T09:28:18-04:00

Dude, get it done.

Seriously.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 9:37 AM

2017-10-18T09:37:10-04:00

I wouldn't push the dates back voluntarily. I am pretty sure they don't want to explain why you are a no show and wasting valuable seats. You probably aren't going back to that unit when you are done and if you see them again you will be on the other side of the fence. If they want you to stay, let them make the move. That's just what I would do in the same situation.

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Oct 18 at 2017 9:45 AM

2017-10-18T09:45:13-04:00

don't push back your date. your unit will deploy with or without you. Your unit is thinking what is best for them and not what is best for you. If you don't take care of your career nobody else will.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 18 at 2017 10:19 AM

2017-10-18T10:19:52-04:00

dont push back your date.

Response by LTJG Edward Bangor Jr made Oct 18 at 2017 12:35 PM

2017-10-18T12:35:18-04:00

I would dig into the regs about what the requirements are for an operational hold on keeping you at your command. On the Navy side, an OPHOLD is only something a command can request, and unless your MOS is super critical, OPHOLDs can and do get rejected. The ones I've seen approved were always for somebody who was a 1 of 1/2 in our manning, meaning losing them is actually problematic. I've seen divisions without CPOs for months, during deployment, so I'd wager your command might not have a whole lot of ability to keep you if your skill-set is fairly common.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2017 7:28 AM

2017-10-19T07:28:06-04:00

Its entirely up to you. The army is designed so that there should not be any single points of failure in terms of personnel. I ran into the same issue. They tried to force me to sign a deferment, but DA G1 and WOCS trumps the unit. I went, and they got a replacement for me shortly after. It was definitely a stressor for my unit, but you have to take care of yourself, too. The unit will go on with or without you.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2017 11:23 AM

2017-10-19T11:23:55-04:00

Do not push back your date

Response by CW2 Christopher Esparza made Oct 19 at 2017 4:22 PM

2017-10-19T16:22:58-04:00

Pushing your date back is the last thing you should do. Your unit will deploy with or without you, but until you graduate WOCS your unit will not be authorized your replacement. Hence the reason your command is asking you to push the date. They know they can't do anything and are hoping to get you to do it voluntarily. If your BN Commander really wants to go head to head with HQ DA G1 then best of luck to him. But lets look at this another way, the pocket. Lets assume you have 8 years TIS. The difference in base pay E-6 to W-1 is $711 per month. Multiply that by a 12 month deployment and you just kissed $8532 goodbye. You need to work your own career. By choosing the route to become a Warrant Officer your taken the first step, but don't make it your last. If you defer now they may not want you later.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2017 12:37 PM

2017-10-20T12:37:29-04:00

Don't push your dates back! From what everyone here is saying I'm guessing they have no way to do it themselves which is why they are trying to get you to do it voluntarily. My command is trying the same type of stuff. Think bigger than this deployment, You were selected for a reason- because the Army needs you! See you at WOCS : )

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 21 at 2017 1:43 PM

2017-10-21T13:43:12-04:00

Take a school when you can get a school. Your commander will get by. If you have any Warrants in your unit have them talk to your leadership. If needed contact the school and see if there is someone who can help you. Every deployment will always have the "I can't afford to lose you person." I have to wonder if this commander is more worried about himself or his soldiers. A commander who doesn't look at what is best for the needs of the service in the future is IMHO very short sited.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2017 10:51 PM

2017-10-22T22:51:57-04:00

That is ridiculous. GO TO WOCS!!! They can be upset, but your on orders and when you finish WOCS you will be on orders to WOBC, and your old unit will be old news.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 5:13 PM

2017-10-23T17:13:21-04:00

Question update: I spoken with my BN Chain of Command concerning my WOCS date, they have agreed to let me go. Thank you all for your input and advice!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 10:11 PM

2017-10-27T22:11:17-04:00

Don't do it. Go to WOCS and keep moving forward in your career. Also, if you don't go now, there will be an empty seat that someone could be filling but isn't because you were selected over them.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 9:05 PM

2017-10-30T21:05:54-04:00

Do what you want but know that the sooner you start the sooner you can begin

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2017 8:59 AM

2017-11-25T08:59:56-05:00

Don’t push your date back. The unit will survive with or without you.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2017 5:11 PM

2017-11-25T17:11:21-05:00

No idea how it works in Army, but once selected in USMC you get a set of orders. TAD for school leading to PCS, and you have to report when ordered. The Command had no influence over your report date because there was only one WOBC Class per year and you were ordered to attend. I had recently moved to the 11th MEU and we were involved in the CONUS workups for a WESTPAC deployment. We relocated from Camp Pendleton to 29 Palms to support a 3d Marine Regiment CAX out of Hawaii as part of our pre-deployment training. I deployed to 29 Palms because there was ample time before being sworn in, and it was a good evolution. There was some flexibility with leave dates etc but my report date was outlined in my orders per HQMC. Maybe it's different in Army, but as others have stated don't worry about your present unit. Don't burn any bridges, but they were fine before you got there and will survive when you're gone. You are your best advocate and need to do what is best to prepare yourself for the challenges ahead. If you encounter issues with the Command handle them professionally via the Chain of Command and if need be, utilize those at the appropriate agency at Army HQ to weigh in. Good luck.