There is a possibility that I will need to use open door of my BC. D you have any tips?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 17:32:04 -0500

So I've been applying for this Microsoft Software & System Academy program. And piece of critical paperwork is till not done. What i needed was my BC and CSM's signitures. my leaders was uncomfortable sending it up because it cuts my contract short by 45 days, and they also wanted me to go to the field so they made my write some planning about how I'm going to be able to clear off post in 2 weeks (which is when i'm going to be back from the field to the time class starts). And finally the paper is sent up, last Thursday, and it's due tomorrow. I'm planning to go directly to BC tomorrow if i still don't get the paper back because i have no other choice now. This is once in a life time chance to jump start a programming career and I'm not about to give it up.
To make it through smoothly, can someone tall me how should i properly perform an open door request?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 11:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 23:32:00 -0500

The CSP doesn't cut your contract by any amount of time. You are placed on permissive TDY to complete the program. If your contract was shortened to attend, you would then be a civilian and it would be a civilian program, not a SFL-TAP program for active duty members.
It's important to understand that you'll still be in the Army while you attend this program because you still fall under your unit's roster and they can't get a replacement for you until you ETS. Once you ETS - not once you clear - you are off their books and they can get a replacement for you. That means you are counted as being present while you're attending school which makes it hard to let people go.

As I said, this is not a once in a lifetime chance, you could extend longer to hop on the next MSSA start date. It's very easy to make that arrangement with your leadership. In fact, I'll even make it for you if you like, I'm personal friends with your Brigade Career Counselor. However, if you set your mindset that you can only get what you want under your conditions, you'll probably fail. It doesn't work well to walk into leadership and tell them that they owe you. Which reminds me, did you complete your SSD? It's hard to tell a battalion commander that you need him to make an exception for you and go without a replacement for you for several months when you can't be bothered to spend a day to complete your SSD.

As I said, if you are serious about this and not just hoping to cry about life being unfair, complete your SSD, I will broker a spot for you and you will need to extend for the time needed.
However, if you are focused on being right, give it your shot and spend the rest of your enlistment cursing about how unfair the Army is till you ETS.