Can an officer branch transfer from RA to USAR?

2021-09-18T10:03:13-04:00

I have been working to become a chaplain for a while; requesting entrance into the chaplain candidacy program. My Chaplain recruiter, S1 shops, and others have all been assisting me with this. I would greatly appreciate help if anyone has further information on navigating an ADSO. This is where I seem to be out of options.

FYSA:
- Endorsed by LBF
- Secured conditional release MFR from current branch
- anticipating BDE CMDR signature of DD368
- Recruiter packet complete, awaiting submission to chaplain board in NOV
- Accepted into Grad school
- need to be released from RA. I was a non-scholarship ROTC grad (used GI Bill), a little shy of DMG. I bring this up because it seems to matter for para. 2-5.

AR 600-8-24, para 5-13 (Release to attend a school)

An officer who is commissioned through a funded program or a training recipient (for example, ROTC) will not be released until completion of that initial service school obligation.

The CG HRC is the approval authority for RA and USAR AGR officers with the exception of officers indicated below.

1) JAGC
2) Chaplains

(Approving authorities likely the office of the chief of chaplains, address found in para 2-2)

AR 600-8-24.para 2-5 (Release for personal reasons)

There are several eligibility requirements here, but I got lost in the information. I think this may be a viable route? I am seeking a branch transfer for religious/personal reasons. The idea is to return to AD as a Chaplain to complete ADSO requirements.

ADSO currently says I owe four years, no other specifics as far I can tell.

Response by LTC Martin Glynn made Sep 18 at 2021 11:35 AM

2021-09-18T11:35:44-04:00

There’s no such thing as “navigating” an ADSO. You either fulfill it, or the Army releases you from it. If your intent is to leave active duty before the end of your 4-year ADSO, your packet just has to include a request for an ADSO waiver, with a well-articulated justification that includes points such as your intent to return to active duty as a Chaplain, start date for your first grad school term, etc. But if you’re already a 1LT, how much ADSO time have you got left ? By the time your packet is processed, your ADSO might be nearly done anyway.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 6:01 PM

2021-09-18T18:01:17-04:00

Personal reasons does not include wanting to apply to a chaplaincy. Don't confuse personal reasons with valid exemptions. The CG is still the approval authority for your ADSO exemption because you are not a JAG or Chaplain yet. The Chaplain Corps and JAG Corps run their own personnel actions, but until you are part of them you are not controlled by them.

As LTC Martin Glynn stated there is no navigating an ADSO. You can't leave and then return to fill the original ADSO, because there is no guarantee that you'll actually return. You must be granted a waiver of the ADSO and once the waiver is granted you will no longer be required to fulfill that previous ADSO. Although, I have to agree, a four year ADSO is not a significant amount of time to fulfill and it will make you a better Chaplain if you spend that time feeling the suck before you go.

You were a non-funded commission, the ADSO is usually three or four years depending upon the commission route; four years for ROTC and three years for OCS, if I remember correctly.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 18 at 2021 11:25 PM

2021-09-18T23:25:32-04:00

1LT Private RallyPoint Member what has Chaplain Branch told you?

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 19 at 2021 3:48 PM

2021-09-19T15:48:03-04:00

How did you get a USA commission if you were not scholarship nor DMG? I heard they are handing them out in Cracker Jack boxes, but really? LOL I remember that you used to be Airborne or Ranger to integrate. They had OF prefix.