Besides separation, what are the options for officers who are passed over twice?

2020-12-14T14:08:16-05:00

It is a long way ahead of me, but it seems like the current promotion rate for MAJ is looking bleak for my AOC, at least for now and maybe worse in the future (less than 50% this past board). I am prior enlisted. Hypothetically, if I do not make MAJ after two boards, I would have a little more than 14 years of active duty time. At this point, would I be allowed to join the reserves/NG, apply for active tours or AGR and do my 20 years, or even enlist again and push out 6 years? I think some have done these in the past, but I want to confirm whether these can still happen.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2020 2:23 PM

2020-12-14T14:23:28-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member … If you get into the IRR, you can easily apply to join the Army Reserves or a National Guard Unit. In my view it's much easier to get an AGR position with the Army Reserve than the Army National Guard, since the AGR boards are done centrally at HRC.

And are now the AGR boards are all done electronically, with just your AGR Packet going forward to determine if you get picked up for an AGR tour. If you have good evaluations, and all your military schooling done- BOLC for LTs; CCC for Captains; and ILE for MAJ you stand a better chance of getting picked up for an AGR spot. If you're vying for a Functional Area (FA) slot, see if you can get your unit to send you to the FA school before you apply. Then you're likely to be picked up quicker, especially in this fiscally constrained environment.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 14 at 2020 2:28 PM

2020-12-14T14:28:59-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member What is your split of time between enlisted service and AFCS? It is my understanding You need 10yrs AFCS to retire as an officer.

Unless they terminate the program, I would apply for SELCON when you hit that passover at O4.

Change your tags. You have AF Captain tagged and Major tagged.

Were you direct Commissioned? What about branch transfer to another MSC AOC? If you were not tactical, then branch transfer to a Sustainment Branch will be a skull beating.

You have to consider whether your AOC strength is at by Year group. Were the boards you just looked at for YGs that were overstregnth? Is your YG under or overstrength? Some branches attrit at a 11% rate Between Company and field grade. Ask those questions before you make preparations for Seppuku

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 14 at 2020 2:51 PM

2020-12-14T14:51:14-05:00

Your concerns are based on assumptions of the future, not facts. That is a deep fight that you can't fight now. What you focus on is the close fight.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2020 4:16 PM

2020-12-14T16:16:14-05:00

I was passed over once for O5 on active duty. Before my second look I resigned and went to the Reserve and took a Civilian position. I was promoted in the reserves and I can now reserve retire, collect that at 65 and buy my military time into my Civilian retirement OR get activated to get to 20 years active time.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 14 at 2020 4:18 PM

2020-12-14T16:18:34-05:00

Talk to your branch manager, career counselor or JAG...AFTER any event of being passed over. You are concerned, but have not actually been passed over. Professionals may have insight on how to manage your status if worried about low promotion rates

Response by LTC John Griscom made Dec 14 at 2020 4:57 PM

2020-12-14T16:57:18-05:00

Are you Regular Army or Army Reserve on active duty. There's a big difference if you should transfer to USAR. Also depends on how long between boards. I had over eleven years of commissioned service before my second passover and this was right after Vietnam.
Not sure how much has changed since or what impact a new administration will have.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2020 5:12 PM

2020-12-14T17:12:17-05:00

If you have over 15 years active you can request to stay on active duty to retire. If you commissioned straight from active duty without a break in service you have statutory entitlement to revert to enlisted and finish your time to retire with an active duty retirement. Even if you do have a break in service you can request to revert if you're passed over twice

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 14 at 2020 8:35 PM

2020-12-14T20:35:39-05:00

MSC? If you are active duty, you have at least 5-6 years before your first look and a lot of things can change both in the army and in your personal life. Looking ahead is great but there are too many variables between now and your major board.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2020 11:33 AM

2020-12-15T11:33:58-05:00

1st there should be a continuation board which may allow you to remain on AD. Joining the Reserve or Guard may also be an option. I have a buddy who was passed over twice and transferred to USAR and was passed over again. he thought he was done. I saw his name on a subsequent board. He actually ended up reaching sanctuary while deployed and relieves an AC retirement. Others have moved on in the civilian sector with great success.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 2:35 PM

2020-12-20T14:35:14-05:00

Listen, you can call your career manager and ask truthfully and with poise if you really have a chance vs your peers. I believe 50% select to field grade is par for the course until the entire administration changes. There is always the Reserve or National Guard to at least earn points toward retirement if you get p/0 twice.

Response by SSG Donald Purinton made Dec 21 at 2020 2:40 PM

2020-12-21T14:40:53-05:00

You can back to enlisted

Response by Lt Col Bubba Edwards made Jan 4 at 2021 12:45 PM

2021-01-04T12:45:55-05:00

I knew several passed over officers that became enlisted to complete the required years of service for retirement. Had a former navigator that was passed over for O4 and came back as a SSgt. He made TSgt whine enlisted and at 20 years retired as a Captain.

Response by SSG Greg Miech made Feb 14 at 2021 11:09 PM

2021-02-14T23:09:06-05:00

Go enlisted and get your 20 years. I was a Re enlistment NCO and I recall those who were given battlefield commissions and went enlisted after the war. When they retired at 20 their pay was set at the highest rank they had while serving. Might be better than finishing the 20 in the reserve and waiting until 65 to get the retirement pay. Might check on this.

Response by SFC Steven Barry made Feb 16 at 2021 11:38 PM

2021-02-16T23:38:00-05:00

Take the RIF to enlisted. Remain in the Reserves as an officer. Work both career paths simultaneously. You'll retire at highest held rank. You're probably young enough you'll retire as a MAJ no matter what rank you held enlisted.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2021 4:24 PM

2021-02-26T16:24:26-05:00

A couple of things to consider.

1. The rules have changed. It used to be that twice passed over officers were given 90 days to process out. If they were eligible for retirement, then they retired (medically or regular). If they had more than 10 years AFS, then they were separated with separation pay. If they had less than 10 years, they separated with nothing. If you are ineligible to retire, then plan for separation from Active Component. As long as your discharge is honorable, you remain eligible to serve in NG, USAR and other services as well as be recalled to Active Component.
2. Prepare for promotion. To ensure you are competitive for promotion, review your records, ensure they are accurate, complete and competitive. Too many officers fail to get promoted because they failed to review their records on a routine basis or keep their photo up to date. Sometimes, the records have other people's stuff or information is not authorized or accurate. In my case, I had a Colonel place a General Letter of Reprimand in my record because I filed an IG complaint against him. Because only General Officers can insert General LORs, it was removed. But only because I found the error and requested the correction. So, prepare for the board and prepare for promotion.
3. Get a mentor. If you have time, then plan your assignments and schools to maximize your promotion chances. Take the assignments people don't want or are outside of your AOC because risk rewards people and broader skills appeal more as you become more senior. Take additional college work or military education that is outside of your area of specialty. Do something that makes you look unlike every other officer in your AOC (in a good way).
4. Consider all options. If you are passed over, then contact an in-service recruiter for NG and USAR as well as other services (USN, USMC and USAF). They may have AGR or AC vacancies that, given your broad training and experiences, enable you to laterally move. This supports your goal of retiring from the AC versus the age 60 retirement.
5. If all else fails and you are passed over and there are no AGR or AC opportunities, then ensure that you still want to serve. Balancing family, civilian employment, college and military obligations can be challenging. If you and your family still want to remain associated with the military, then find a NG or USAR unit and transfer there. Depending on seniority you might be challenged finding an NG billet but a USAR billet might be available. If you are politically active, you may overcome some challenges in the NG but not in the USAR. You can also consider Drilling IMA positions as well as 'drilling for points only.' You need 6 'good years' to become retirement eligible and a 'good year' is 60 points. These points can be acquired through training, drill and military education Assuming you acquire 60 points a year, for 6 years, you should be eligible for an age-60 pension.

Good luck. I started as an E-1, served in AC, USAR and NG positions for 38 years and retired as an O-6. It isn't easy but it is possible to accomplish what you want in the Army and retire.

Response by 1stSgt Ani Stubbs made Aug 2 at 2021 11:40 AM

2021-08-02T11:40:41-04:00

Ask for a waiver to 20 years

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Oct 16 at 2022 11:12 PM

2022-10-16T23:12:46-04:00

I have been told that if you have 10 years of service as an commissioned officer you can retire as the highest rank you achieved as an commissed officer. I don't know, if has changed.