AC to RC: Officers and Enlisted Forced Out by Downsizing

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 23:22:23 -0400

With the recent boards I keep hearing and have heard since they announced that the military is downsizing about two years ago that we in the Reserves must seize this opportunity and take these great officers, NCOs, and enlisted with combat experience into our units. Well I have to admit I have had a few come from AC but not due to the downsizing. Has anyone seen AC to RC because of downsizing?

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 12 at 2014 9:08 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 09:08:42 -0400

I have NOT. I would not expect to see any bump for quit a while.
Reason being that it is not a happy experience in anyone's life to be RIF'd or to be more blunt - Fired. It stings. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. You are kinda pissed. Oh, and you need to find a f$#$ing job because the f%$2!ing Army f&%#$ing fired you! So F@%^ them and the horse they rode in on!!

People may not say that out loud, but it is a predictable and natural part of the process. However, a year +/- after being separated, they MAY start thinking "I really miss the Army, I wish I could do something...." It is at that point that they are ripe for the message.

It is all about timing, which is one of the reasons that the reserve forces briefing that Soldiers get when they ETS is largely wasted. They've decided they are DONE with the Army at the moment, and all they want to do is get through this one last drill and back on the block. If they need to sit through one more briefing to get a signature on the form, fine. But they don't have to listen....

Separately, given the great numbers that are being cut - both in the AC and the RC formations, it is important that AC --> RC TPU packets be carefully vetted. I also want the GREAT (or even average) Officers, NCOs, and Enlisted leaving the Active component. I could really use them! I don't want the sub-par Soldiers - they are even harder to effectively deal with in an RC formation, and can do a lot to destroy morale, especially if they have any rank.