Army ETS date conflict with Career Skills Program (CSP). There has to be a better answer, can someone help me find it?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 21:28:40 -0400

All my Army folks, I really need some help here. My ETS is 04-April-2021. I am applying for the 1-sep-2020 to 18-dec-2020 MSSA (CSP) program. My issue is Army regulations state that because I am not within 180 days of the start date of the program I cannot participate. The other issue is that the spring 2021 course ends in May, AFTER my ets date. So, by regulation, I am in a grey area that prohibits me from participating. There is absolutely no way that because of my ETS date I should be getting told I cannot participate like this. Any help or guidance is appreciated. Also, the fall class, NOT the spring 2021 class is 100% what I'm shooting for (due to other career events approaching) but even attending the spring program would be better than neither. I will have no problem getting the support from my unit to participate in the program, but CSP will not approve me (a requirement to do before getting the unit to sign off). Thanks for any help.

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 22 at 2020 10:19 PM

SFC Jeremy Boyd — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:19:51 -0400

I'm not sure what your future plans are post-ETS, but are you in a position where you could possibly extend your enlistment by 12 months to meet the requirements? Also it looks to me like you are within 180 of the start of the Fall program, considering that it is April 22nd and the course starts September 1st, so I am a bit confused. Did you mean that you had to have submitted for the program BEFORE the 180 day mark from that start of the course?

Response by CSM Kevin Enoch made Apr 22 at 2020 11:14 PM

CSM Kevin Enoch — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 23:14:40 -0400

I don’t have a good answer for you, but if you contact Michael Quinn via LinkedIn, I’ll bet he can give you a solid answer or at least steer you in the right direction. His page address is LinkedIn.com/in/quinnmi

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2020 11:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 23:57:31 -0400

I would keep applying/requesting to attend with the date you want. People back out of programs and commentments all the time. Best of luck. Just keep checking.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2020 2:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 02:51:36 -0400

You can extend your ETS for the later class date.
The guidance is 100% correct, you must be within 6 months of your ETS. SFLTAP cannot override or change that.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 23 at 2020 6:42 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 06:42:45 -0400

You have to have time remaining, therefore extend your ETS.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 24 at 2020 12:56 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 12:56:53 -0400

I had time remaining to take my school, but needed to extend ETS for time after school.
I was happy to do that. It can be worked out if you ask your command.