Can signing a dec statement hurt my chances of getting a federal job?

2020-09-25T11:44:05-04:00

So I'll be exact and brief. I came down on orders to PCS overseas(1 year), but my report date is 5 months before my ETS date. I was given 2 options: 1. Reenlist/extend 2. Sign a dec statement.
That being said, I do not plan on reenlisting and have already started the transition process. So my questions are. Why would HRC put me on orders when there's no way I can accept them? And why do I have to sign a dec statement?

Also, can signing a dec statement hurt my chances of getting a federal job?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2020 11:46 AM

2020-09-25T11:46:14-04:00

All that will happen with you signing a Dec Statement is you barring yourself from continued service. Guaranteeing you will ETS. Once the Dec Statement has been processed, your orders will be rescinded. And, no...your signing a Dec Statement will not hurt your chances of getting a Federal job.

Response by Wayne Soares made Sep 25 at 2020 3:06 PM

2020-09-25T15:06:12-04:00

Good question Brook

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2020 3:43 PM

2020-09-25T15:43:33-04:00

HRC put you on orders because you CAN accept them. As with all branches in the military you are placed on assignment, you can choose to accept the assignment or separate from the active component of the branch. Your declination statement is a statement that says you’re declining to reenlist. You don’t have to sign it, your 1SG can sign for you stating that you decline to reenlist.
You can still apply to a federal job, you can still join the RC, and you will still have an Honorable discharge at ETS.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 25 at 2020 4:10 PM

2020-09-25T16:10:57-04:00

This is an old personnel technique to thin the heard. You put people on orders for an overseas short-tour location and wait for them to decline the orders After they decline, you put the next service member in line on the same orders. Sooner or later they will find a service member who will take the assignment even if it means reenlisting. In the meantime, the HR folks have forced several folks to make life decisions they may have been putting off.

When I was passed over for O-6, I knew my next assignment would be a 1-year unaccompanied, overseas. I decided to retire instead.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 25 at 2020 4:37 PM

2020-09-25T16:37:38-04:00

You don’t have to sign and it won’t hurt you. I will say that I have known many who regretted accepting a dec as they later wants to renter service.