Posted on Dec 18, 2015
SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA
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Just as the question states, has anyone ever hard of an NCO actually turning in his/her stripes?

Every now and then I hear some 1SG or CSM during their yelling therapy sessions say that. "If you cant cut it as an NCO/If you don't want to be an NCO. turn in your stripes"

In Band of Brothers it is described how most E Co NCOs attempted to turn in their stripes/request transfer.

Officers resign their commission and come in as enlisted. Can NCOs actually resign their rank?
Posted in these groups: Photo JAGUcmj UCMJ
Edited 9 y ago
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Responses: 18
SSG Avenger Crew Member
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Sure, I've seen NCOs turn in their stripes. Right after some UCMJ action.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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I had a Sergeant try once. His reasoning was that it was "too much responsibility".
After a lengthy counseling session (using my seldom-used "soft touch"), I was able to convince him to not just carry on, but actually accept additional responsibility in an area he was interested in.
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SSG(P) Senior Driver/ Protocol Nco
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Talked him into givin' up!
Well played 1SG!
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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SSG(P) (Join to see) - The Sergeant in question wasn't a bad troop, he just wasn't very confident.
Truth was, he wasn't the best NCO ever, but my job as a First Sergeant is to develop cats like that, not let them go turtle on me.
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SSgt Carpenter
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I should say, I've never heard of it in the modern Army. In the 1800s sergeants only had stripes in their company, so if a soldier moved to another company, he was a private again. I don't know exactly when that changed, but it was some time in the late 19th, or early 20th century.

While researching the history of my local Guard company, I found an article on the first soldier to reach 30 years of service in the Wisconsin National Guard. He turned in his stripes because his duties as supply sergeant kept him from having time to train troops! I cannot remember where I found the article, though it was posted online, or I'd provide more details.
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