What are officers who resign their commissions and then enlist called?

CPO Jon Campbell — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:25:46 -0400

I have known several enlisted people who were once officers, but resigned their commissions and then enlisted. When enlisted go officer they are called mustangs, but is there a term for people who take other path? (Not looking for derogatory names.)

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 25 at 2015 1:30 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:30:06 -0400

CPO Jon Campbell, I have not heard of such a term. Most officers that I know of that go back to an enlisted status are simply trying to get more years of service prior to retirement. When they retire, they retire at the highest grade held, so they have the last laugh, I guess!
If there's a nickname for them, I've never heard it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 1:30 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:30:56 -0400

I have never heard of such a term. I know a number of individuals that have converted from the regular officer ranks to become Warrant Officers, but not resigning a commission to be enlisted.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 25 at 2015 1:56 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:56:34 -0400

I checked thoroughly and there is nothing in the official listing of military slang terms. I thought I would share it with the rest of the RP Family - Enjoy:
Latest terms:

Football Bat – An individual or way of doing things that is particularly odd.
Gone Elvis – A service member who is missing in action.
Grid Squares – A non-existent item recruits are typically told to go find.
Helo – Short-hand term for a helicopter.
Jesus Slippers – Military-issued shower footwear.
#
4 Dicks of Death – A Marine nickname for the beef links included with beans in certain MREs. Aptly named for their foul taste and similar appearance to male genetalia.
11 Bullet Catcher/Bang-Bang – An Army infantryman. Recommended by user NGH144.
A
Air Picket – Any airborne system tasked with detecting, reporting, and tracking enemy aerial movements within a certain area of operation.
Alpha Charlie – Military alphabet used to represent ass chewing. Defines getting verbally reprimanded. Recommended by user Joe Trejo.
Anymouse – A lockbox on Navy ships where sailors may drop anonymous suggestions.
Ass – Armored vehicles such as Strykers and Tanks.
Ate-Up – Describes a servicemember who follows regulations so closely that they disregard the context of the situation. Conversely, may describe a servicemember who doesn't understand regulations at all.
B
Band-Aid – A Vietnam-era term for a medic.
Bang-bang – An Army term describing a pistol or rifle.
Big Voice – Term used to describe the loudspeaker on a military base. The Big Voice warns of everything from incoming attacks to scheduled ordnance disposal.
Bird – Slang for helicopter.
Bitchin' Betty – Most U.S. military aircraft feature warning systems that frequently utilize female voices. The phrase is derived from the same anthropmorphizing many apply to GPS units in cars, only Bitchin' Betty's alert pilots to life-threatening situations.
'Black' on ammo, fuel, water, etc. – A common phrase which denotes that a particular resource is gone.
Blowed up – The state of being hit by an IED.
Blue Falcon – A euphemism for buddy **** or buddy ****er, which is slang for a backstabber. Recommended by user jpchopper.
Bolo – A derogatory remark for recruits who cannot pass marksmanship training. The idea being that if one cannot use a rifle, one most resort to a bolo.
Bone – A B-1 bomber.
Bull**** Bomb – A package intended to disperse propaganda leaflets. Recommended by user Steve Neal.
Bullwinkle Badge – Another name for the Air Assault Badge. Recommended by user David E Windsor II.
Burn Bag – A bag used to hold shredded documents, designed to be burned. May also refer to a useless person. Recommended by user Gregory Waugh.
C
Cannibalize – The act of taking workable parts of one item and using them in another.
Chancre Mechanic – Medical officer who checks servicemembers for venereal diseases. Recommended by user jloman42.
Charlie Foxtrot – Commonly used expression utilizing the military alphabet to stand for clusterf***.
Chem-Light Batteries – A mythical object that would be extremely, functionally pointless. Often the source of fruitless hunts embarked upon by hapless privates.Recommended by user Nick_1.
Chicken plates – Sheets of protective material, called Small Arms Protective Inserts, which are used in the Interceptor body armor system.
Comics – Term used to describe maps presented by military intelligence. The term is fairly derogatory in nature as a slight against the accuracy of the maps. It also refers to the brightly colored layouts and symbols usually included.
Commo – Communications equipment or the individuals who operate it. Usually given to Communications Officers on U.S. Navy vessels.
Crank – Navy term for a sailor pulling temporary duty in the galley.
Crumb Catcher – Military slang describing the mouth.
Crusher – Hats worn by pilots during World War II. The hat's wide top brim would need to be crushed down to allow for headsets to be worn.
D
Dear John – Common term referring to a significant other breaking up with a service member through a letter. Recommended by user wilburbythepsea.
Demilitarized Zone – A specific area in which any type of military force including but not limited to personnel, hardware, and infrastructure are banned.
Digit Midget – Usually used with a number as a prefix. X digit midget refers to the number of days till an individual goes on leave or retires. Recommended by user Steve Pinder.
Dittybopper – A term in the Army refering to signals intelligence radio operators trained to utilize Morse Code. Also used as a verb to describe soldiers marching out of synch with a cadence.
Dope on a Rope – Derogatory term used for air-assault Soldiers.
Dustoff – Specifically, a medical evacuation by helicopter.
Dynamited Chicken – Term originating in the Navy referring to either chicken cacciatore or chicken a la king.
E
Embed – When a reporter stays with the military in order to conduct journalistic business. They are typically provided with security and basic necessities provided by the unit they are embedded with.
Expectant – A casualty who is expected to pass away.
F
Fang – A verb to describe being rebuked, called out, or otherwise disparaged.
Fangs – A Marine Corps term for one's teeth.
Fart Sack – Refers to either a sleeping bag or an airman's flight suit.
Farts and Darts – Refers to the clouds and lightning bolt embellishments found on Air Force officer caps. Recommended by user NGH144.
Fashion Show – A Naval punishment where a sailor is required to dress in each of his uniforms over a period of several hours.
Fast Mover – Slang for a Jet Fighter. Aptly named due to the rapidity of a Jet Fighter's movement.
First Light – The time of nautical twilight when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon.
Flaming ***hole – An Air Force term to describe the fiery effect of a jet plane turning on its afterburners during combat or any other military operation.
Flight Suit Insert – Air Force slang for a pilot.
Fitty – Slang for an M2 .50 caliber machine gun.
Football Bat – An individual or way of doing things that is particularly odd.
Force Projection – The ability of a nation-state to extend military force beyond their borders.
Fourth Point of Contact – From rolling after a successful parachute drop: a term to describe an individual's buttocks. The first three points are feet, calves, and back of the thigh. Recommended by user elisemorgan.
Fruit Salad – Slang for a servicemember's display of medals and ribbons on a dress uniform. Recommended by user DL_in _DEN.
Fugazi – Completely out of whack, ****ed up, screwy. This term originated during the Vietnam War and experienced limited use by civilians.
G
Galloping Dandruff – An Army term used since World War I to refer to crab lice.
Geardo – An Army term for a soldier who spends an inordinate amount of money on gear, regardless of actual need.
Gedunk – Refers to snack foods, such as candy and chips, as well as the place they're sold. Associated with the Navy, and can be used in the phrase "gedunk sailor" as a pejorative remark for inexperienced sailors. Recommended by user bensonmccloud.
Gofasters – A term for sneakers used in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
GOFO – Literally stands for "grasp of the ****ing obvious."
Gone Elvis – A service member who is missing in action.
Grape –A term with two meanings; one for the Air Force and one for the Navy. A Navy Grape is an individual who refuels aircraft. An Air Force Grape, on the other hand, refers to an easy assignment, and can be used as a compliment when a service member makes something look easy.
Great Mistakes – The name Sailors have given the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago. It references the closing of two other training facilities in San Diego, California and Orlando, Florida which are both feature far more enjoyable weather.
Grid Squares – A non-existent item recruits are typically told to go find.
Groundhog Day – Term originating from the titular movie which refers to deployments that seem to proceed in the exact same way despite attempts to change them.
Gum Shoe – Navy slang for a Sailor Cryptology Technician. The first CT school was located on top of a building where tar would get stuck to the bottom of students' shoes.
Gun – Term for a mortar or artillery piece. Must never be used within the military to describe a pistol or rifle.
Gunner – A servicemember who operates a crew-served weapon, such as a piece of artillery or ship's cannon. Recommended by user John Alfred.
H
Hangar Queen – An aircraft that is used primarily for spare parts to repair other planes. Recommended by Steve Pinder.
Hardball – A hard-surfaced road.
Hardened Site – A structure usually built under rock or concrete designed to withstand conventional, nuclear, biological, and chemical attack.
Hat Up – To change one's location. Refers to the need to wear a hat for the intended destination. Recommended by user JimBrown1946.
Hawk – Term for cold weather. Commonly referred to as, "the hawk."
Helo – Short-hand term for a helicopter.
High Speed – An individual who his highly motivated and at or near peak efficacy. Can be used sarcastically. Recommended by user sara.
Hit the Silk – Ejecting from an aircraft and utilizing a parachute.
I
Inactive Status – Members of the Reserves who are unable to train for points, receive pay, and cannot be considered for promotion.
Ink Stick – Marine Corps term for a pen.
Iron Rations – Rations used in an emergency survival situation.
J
Jawa – Term for an Army Soldier who is stationed in a desert area, named after the desert-dwelling aliens of "Star Wars."
Jesus Slippers – Military-issued shower footwear.
Jockstrap Medal – Derogatory term for medals given by the military to active CIA members.
Joe – Army term for a soldier. Shortened from G.I. Joe.
Joint Operation Planning – All type of planning involving joint military forces in regards to military operations including, but not limited to, mobilization, deployment, and sustainment.
K
Kinetic – Slang adjective meaning violent.
Klicks – Kilometers.
L
Latrine Queen – Air Force specific term for a trainee in basic who is in charge of the team responsible for cleaning bathrooms.
Left Handed Monkey Wrench – A non-existent tool. Often the object of fruitless searches undertaken by recruits at the behest of more experienced servicemembers. Recommended by user John Alfred.
Long Pig – Slang for when a human being is used as a source of food. Typically this happens in extremely desperate situations.
M
Major Nuclear Power – Any nation-state with a nuclear arsenal capable of being delivered to any other nation in the world.
Meat Identifier – A dish or sauce that identifies what type of meat is being served. For example, cranberry sauce indicates turkey while applesauce indicates pork chops.
Meat Wagon – Slang for an ambulance, or any other medical emergency vehicle.Recommended by user 5712540.
Moonbeam – Marine term for flashlight.
Moving Like Pond Water – Moving so slowly that at unique term is required to describe it. Recommended by user 31320680.
Mustang – Term referring to any officer who was promoted from the enlisted ranks. Can be used respectfully or perjoratively.
N
Nut to Butt – The instruction used to tell Soldiers to line up in tight, forward facing line wherein one's nuts are in extreme proximity to the butt of Soldier before them.
O
Officer's Candy – Navy term used by sailors to describe the scented cake placed in urinals.
Officer of the Deck – Any officer charged with the operation of a ship. Reports to the commanding officer, executive officer, and navigator for relevant issues and concerns.
Over the Hill – Missing in action or someone who has officially gone missing from their post.
Oxygen Thief – A biting piece of slang for someone who's useless or talks too much.
P
Pad Eye Remover – A non-existent item used by sailors to trick new servicemembers into a fruitless search. Pad-eyes are used to secure airplanes with chains.
People Tank – A U.S. Navy term for the inner hull of a submarine.
Pill Pusher – A U.S. Navy term for a hospital corpsman.
Pink Mist – A distinct effect created by certain types of gunshot wounds.
Pogey Bait – Snack food. A "pogue" is an individual who does not serve on the frontlines and performs non-combat oriented roles. "Pogey bait" is, subsequently, a bribe given to these individuals in exchange for expedited or high-quality services.
Pollywog – A sailor who has not crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Recommended by user Terry Thomason.
Puddle Pirate – Member of the Coast Guard. So called due to a fallacious belief that the Coast Guard never operates in deep water.
PX Ranger – An individual who purchases, from the Post Exchange, paraphernalia unique to certain prestigious ranks or occupations and passes them off as though they earned the items. Recommended by mw1968.
Q
Quay – A man-made structure between a shore and land which can be used by ships to berth and is typically an area for handling cargo.
R
Rainbow – A new recruit in basic training. Recommended by user wilburbythespea.
Red Team – A body of experts on a specific topic who are instructed to research and suggest alternative methods regarding a planned course of action.
Remington Raider – A somewhat derogatory term used for Marines given the harrowing task of performing office duties.
Rocks and Shoals – U.S. Navy rules and regulations.
Rotorhead – Slang for a helicopter pilot. Recommended by user Bob Pante.
Ruck Up – "Ruck" is short for "ruck sack" which refers to backpacks servicemembers sometimes wear. To "ruck up" is to get through a particularly challenging or stressful situation. Recommended by mw1968.
S
Salad Bar – References the service ribbons found on a military uniform.
Scrambled Eggs – Refers to the embellishments found on some officer's caps.Recommended by user NGH144.
Self-Propelled Sandbags – A derogatory term for a Marine based on their emphasis on fighting on the front lines. Recommended by user Nathan King.
Shavetail – A term referring to second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. It primarily refers to the haircuts received in Officer Candidate School. The terms origins date back to the time when the Army used pack animals, and handlers shaved the tale of newly-broken animals to distinguish them from those more seasoned.
Shellback – A sailor who has crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Responsible for turning all Pollywog's into Shellbacks once they cross the equator themselves. Recommended by user Terry Thomason.
Snake Eater – Member of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
S*** on a Shingle – Slang for a piece of toast with gravy. Recommended by user Mike W.
Sky Blossom – A deployed parachute.
Slick Sleeve – Refers to a sailor who has not yet earned a rank which requires decoration on the sleeves.
Smoke – To punish a servicemember with excessive physical work due to a minor infraction.
Snivel Gear – Any equipment meant for use in cold weather. Recommended by mw1968.
Soap chips – A psychological operations (PSYOPS) tactic where fake letters from an enemy's home country are written and placed on bodies and battle wreckage. They include sentimental content, hint at the infidelity of loved ones back home, and are designed to demoralize combatants.
Soup Sandwich – Used to describe an individual, object, situation, or mission that has gone horribly wrong. The thrust of the term's meaning derives from the fact that it is incredibly difficult, some would say impossible, to make a sandwich out of soup. Recommended by user David E Windsor II.
Swoop – Marine term for a weekend trip off base.
T
Taco – An Air Force term for recieving an "unsatisfactory" grade on a training exercise due to the vague taco-shape of the letter "u."
Tango Uniform – Slang for "tits up," which is the position dead bodies tend to face. The term can be applied to the deceased as well as broken pieces of equipment.Recommended by users 10741875 and iaff.
Target Discrimination – The capability of a surveillance or guidance system to choose certain targets when multiple options are presented.
Trench Monkey – A derogatory term referring to a member of the U.S. Army.
Twidget – A sailor who repairs electronic equipment. Suggested by user X-USN-DS1.
U
Un-Ass – To move immediately or leave one's current position.
Uncle Sam's Canoe Club – A U.S. Navy term for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Unit Identification Code – A an alphanumeric, six-character string which identifies all active, reserve, and guard unit of the United States military.
V
Voice in the Sky – Term referring military base announcements broadcast over speakers. Recommended by user MrsMSgt.
Voluntold – An assignment that is technically voluntary but understood to be mandatory.
W
Weapons of Mass Destruction – Weapons which can cause destruction or death beyond the ability of conventional weapons. These typically are nuclear, biological, chemical, radiological, or high-yield explosive in nature. This definition does not include the vehicle, or transportation method, of delivering the weapon.
Z
Zone of Action – A smaller section of a larger area. Typically these are under the purview of a tactical unit, usually during an offensive maneuver.
Zoomie – Term used by non-flying servicemembers for anyone who operates a flying vehicle.

Response by PO2 Jennifra Jones made Jul 25 at 2015 2:33 PM

PO2 Jennifra Jones — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:33:30 -0400

never heard of anyone doing this.

Response by SPC Paul Vaneizenga made Jul 25 at 2015 2:35 PM

SPC Paul Vaneizenga — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:35:25 -0400

They are called "real men"

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 25 at 2015 2:46 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:46:43 -0400

Unique.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 25 at 2015 2:48 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:48:30 -0400

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2008/05/msg-brendan-oco.html

Not sure what you call someone that has resigned their commission but I have had the pleasure of knowing one his story is in the link.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 2:55 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:55:18 -0400

I know my information is old but, this is what was in the 70s. After vietnam, many officers got eliminated in the force cutbacks. If they had 8 years as an officer, and completed 20 years of service they could retire at the officer grade. Therefore many chose to stay for 20. However, an officer with a regular commission could not assume an NCO grade, even if he/she had held such in the past.

So, I would have had to enlist as an E-3. The drop in pay was too much to force on my family so I got out. After 3 years I enlisted in the Army Reserve and did 8.5 years which allowed me to retire at age 60 as a captain and all of my active duty time 14+ years counted in figuring my pay.

What was I called? I was called a mustang for having gone enlisted to officer while on active duty. I was called Sgt during my reserve time. I was an E-6 and E-7.

And I am sure I was called a few of other select names throughout.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 25 at 2015 3:12 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 15:12:59 -0400

Fools?

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Jul 25 at 2015 7:04 PM

SFC Walter Mack — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 19:04:07 -0400

I've never heard a name for it, but I've known a couple that enlisted later in life so they could get an officer retirement.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 25 at 2015 9:08 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 21:08:50 -0400

I've never heard of anyone doing that. You have me Intrigued.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jul 25 at 2015 9:51 PM

MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 21:51:37 -0400

Smart? Foolish? maybe had no choice. resign your commission or get court martialed. or someting. dang, I need spell check!!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 25 at 2015 11:57 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 23:57:01 -0400

There was a small clutch of them after Vietnam . They received temporary commissions and were either RIFed or returned to their enlisted grade afterward. The quizzical looks were returned with 'Got Rifted'.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 26 at 2015 1:26 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 01:26:00 -0400

No idea... But I had one in my Battalion... who commissioned via ROTC, resigned because he could not get active duty... enlisted, was a drill sergeant, and someone found out he had been commissioned, and got him reinstated... he retired recently as a Major, and is now at the State Police Academy.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jul 26 at 2015 9:59 AM

SSG John Jensen — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 09:59:31 -0400

knew a couple in the Guard - one was commissioned, and then something criminal from his youth popped up, and they took his commission away - another one - it had to do with the length of break in service, then Cpt that didn't finish degree in time, and the last Major(Bde S-3, my boss) who didn't finish his officer development course, was reduced to SSG, his unit called him the Staff Sergeant Major

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 26 at 2015 4:54 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:54:51 -0400

Huh. I've never seen anyone do this (not that it doesn't happen), and I can't imagine why you would.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 26 at 2015 5:00 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 17:00:44 -0400

We generally assumed they were "Passed-over". Don't think we had a nickname for that.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 6:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 18:45:55 -0400

My little Ponies. Does that work? But all jokes aside I have seen this happen a few times. We had an old SSG in my previous guard unit that was an officer in the Marines. I think he just missed being with the soldiers. He was a really good Squad Leader. You could tell he was an Officer. Not by how he acted but by how much he knew.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 7:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 19:06:39 -0400

It is pretty rare. I've never heard of a name one way or another.
Going the Warrant Officer route is much more common.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 7:37 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 19:37:39 -0400

I know of a very dedicated man who had a long and distinguished career that spanned over 40 years of Active, Guard, and Reserve time. He enlisted at the age of 17, eventually earned his Commission, rose through the ranks to become a Major, then found that after having commanded men in combat, the years ahead of him as a staff officer just simply did not appeal to him. So, he resigned his Commission, and returned to the ranks as a SSG and climbed the ladder to become a Command Sergeant Major before he finally retired in the early 1990s. This man saw combat in Vietnam as an Officer, and deployed to Desert Storm as the First Sergeant of an MP Company I once commanded years later. The only thing I think can adequately fit a Soldier of this caliber is Patriot.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Jul 26 at 2015 10:55 PM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 22:55:32 -0400

Those people need a psychic eval. Why would you want to go from being a master to a servant?

Response by SFC Jacob Hinkkanen made Jul 27 at 2015 4:18 AM

SFC Jacob Hinkkanen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 04:18:31 -0400

I call them Leaders. A guy I knew graduated from VMI. He denied his commission because he wanted to see the enlisted side of the house first. He completed an enlistment made either Sergeant or Staff Sergeant then went to DCC. Now he's a more effective Officer, in my eyes.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 12:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:33:22 -0400

Sergeant.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 12:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:40:26 -0400

Here is a common scenario in the Reserve Component. A prior enlisted Soldier who is now commissioned reaches MRD but still has years left before they can draw a retirement at age 60. These officers enlist (sometimes a Warrant) and continue to serve until age 60 getting paid at the lower grade. However, they continue to accrue retirement points that will be paid at the highest grade held.

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Jul 27 at 2015 1:07 PM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:07:03 -0400

Social climber!

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 27 at 2015 3:54 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:54:57 -0400

Private Snuffy.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 27 at 2015 5:14 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:14:51 -0400

After the war (WWII) there were AUS officers that were not needed and enlisted in the USA. They retained their USAR Commissions and did their military education by correspondence or took leave and attended schools. In 1965 our Bn SGM Clyde Bonwell at Fort Jackson retired. Came to the ceremony as COL Bonwell and retired as such. Turned out that he had been RIFed from the AUS as a Major in 1956 and became a Technical Sergeant or SFC E-6, cannot remember which, kept up his studies, C&GS, etc and got promoted in the USAR.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 5:25 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:25:30 -0400

Private, Corporal, Sargent, or Staff Sargent. I don"t think an ex-officer will get a rank higher than SSGT,
I could be wrong.:>) I thought that Mustang was a term used for 2LT's that received a battlefield commission during WWII and Korea and maybe even those that graduated OCS during that same period, Am I correct?

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 27 at 2015 7:02 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:02:51 -0400

I had a Captain, he was a good Officer, did his job right. His previous assignment was to be a USAEUR Nuclear Weapons Inspector. He ended up failing some units. Guess where he got assigned next, one of the failed units. He got two crappy OER's and was passed over for Major. He reverted back to being an E-5. Sad but true story. He had 18 months left to hit retirement so he sucked it up. He will get/got his retirement as an O-3E. I ran into him after he was down graded, it was awkward, as a commander he his stuff together, but some decided he was going to pay.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 7:36 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:36:33 -0400

I've known two cases during my career. One was the common type listed in above threads - got field promoted during Viet Nam, got RIF'd afterwards and converted back to NCO. This guy made MAJ/O4 then reverted back to SFC and retired as an E-8 at 20 He told me when he hits a total of 30 years (20 active, 10 retired) he would start getting O-4 pay and rank on retirement forms, ID, etc. This was late 80's early 90's.

Another more recent example was a reserve CPT (when I first met him and I was a SSG) who got passed over twice and told he had to get out. He wanted to retire so he was told to resign his commission if he wanted to enlist and serve his remainder to reach retirement years/points. He did so and I crossed paths with him again, he was a SGT/E5 and I was 1LT/O2. He told me his story, come to find out the promotion board was wrong, he didn't get passed over, actually made MAJ, but because he resigned his commission was told there was nothing that could be done any more. He stayed enlisted. Part of the problem was his switching from reserves to NG also during this change over.

Response by SSG Sean Knudsen made Jul 27 at 2015 11:38 PM

SSG Sean Knudsen — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 23:38:02 -0400

No known terminology, it happens very little. I've only known two that went from officer to enlisted.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 28 at 2015 12:19 AM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 00:19:05 -0400

CPO Jon Campbell, I was ARMY and was called CRAZY, but I called it Stress and Politics Free, during my deployments, and now that I am retired I still laughing and I use to go out the wire all the time, caused I was told I could not do that and I did. My buddies are 0-6, I am now Retired but still have hair.

Response by SPC Alejandro Martinez made Jul 28 at 2015 12:49 AM

SPC Alejandro Martinez — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 00:49:40 -0400

heroes

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jul 28 at 2015 3:15 AM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 03:15:03 -0400

From my personal experience, they called me "f*ing private"

Response by SrA David Steyer made Jul 28 at 2015 8:11 AM

SrA David Steyer — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:11:14 -0400

Worked with someone who said their sister was enlisted, went the OTS route, was RIF'ed, but since they were prior enlisted they got to stay until 20+ years and retire, but when they retired, they would get "promoted" in retirement and get their officer retirement.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 28 at 2015 1:08 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:08:57 -0400

In the Navy there are cases where LDOs or Warrants revert to enlisted rank, but I've never heard directly of a Line officer who wasn't a Mustang doing this.

It kind of feels like cutting off your nose to spite your face...

Response by LT Louis McKellar made Jul 28 at 2015 4:10 PM

LT Louis McKellar — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:10:55 -0400

I encountered RIF'd officers who went from commissioned to enlisted service while I was in the Air Force. It allowed them to finish their 20 years. I don't think there was a specific name like Mustang for them. I think we looked at them in awe.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 4:41 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 16:41:30 -0400

Lots of good answers here. But, one that was omitted that is still somewhat true would be:

Screwed

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2019 6:14 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 18:14:18 -0400

I was called Sgt.

Response by PO3 Jerome Wilson made Feb 10 at 2021 12:06 AM

PO3 Jerome Wilson — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:06:19 -0500

Enlisted.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Feb 11 at 2021 1:28 PM

SSG John Jensen — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 13:28:14 -0500

an old guy who was in Vietnam told the story of building a 2 stall outhouse there
one door was labelled Officers,
the other door was labelled MEN!