"Dirtbag" status upon choosing to ETS?

SGT Chris Hill — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:19:52 -0400

I have seen it happen too many times, in fact, it's rare to not see it happen, when a Soldier of any rank decides to ETS, and their unit tries to interrogate them. If they do not give in by reenlisting, their leadership automatically puts said individual on all details in an attempt to "milk" the remaining time left to serve.

What are your observations pertaining to this?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 8:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:24:12 -0400

I work with IRR Soldiers. Unfortunately This is all to common.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Mar 14 at 2015 8:27 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:27:29 -0400

I think it's a lot of kool aid drinking going on in the service...about hohooaah you are, how much you love the field and deployment, how you want to stay in until you die, how you hope to die on duty....etc.
The moment you say you want to go home and be the town sheriff, or open a BBQ joint, well....you are a self centered jackas!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 14 at 2015 8:29 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:29:39 -0400

You say you saw it happen too many times, what did you do about it? I do not condone that behavior whatsoever. You will see that mentality shift SGT Chris Hill, as we continue to shape the force to the needed size we will all see many transition out and chances are the same Soldiers you saw acting in this manner are going to be the ones identified to leave (without a choice).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 8:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:41:16 -0400

I've seen this label applied, but it was due to failure of the leadership rather than that of the Soldier. I understand that it is the commands duty to identify and retain the best soldiers, but when a Soldier decides to ETS the thing that too often is overlooked is that they chose to serve in the first place and did so honorably.

The leadership failure I speak of is that (and normally this is first line leader) stops working with them on individually developing in favor of those soldiers who are staying... laziness. Leaders who remain engaged will still get outstanding performance. That said, going to ACAP is a requirement. Leaders should not identify soldiers as slackers for performing mandatory tasks. The team leader specifically needs to be assisting the soldier on transitioning: job searching, looking for a place that they can move to (an actual apartment or house), and assisting them in developing realistic near, short, and long term goals. For example, you wont be out patroling the streets as a police officer unless you have been to the police have already hired you and you are scheduled to go to a police academy (you may be surprised by how many people don't know simple hiring procedures in the civilian sector).

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 10:59 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 22:59:28 -0400

I worked at the transition point t Ft Benning for a couple of years up until about a year ago. After speaking to many Soldiers leaving active duty, I can say it happens, but I don't think its fair to say it happens all the time. There are also units that are very supportive of Soldiers leaving active duty. Many Soldiers chose their PL or CO as the reenlisting officer to conduct the oath of enlistment for them enlisting into the Reserve component.

You're right it shouldn't happen at all, they have fulfilled their obligation and are free to move on.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 14 at 2015 11:08 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 23:08:48 -0400

Just because people are getting out, doesn't mean normal missions don't need to get done.

What often happens however is the prioritization of "long term" vs "short term" planning.

When you have someone getting out, or transitioning to another duty location, you cannot do long term planning with them. So that means you have to use those you can for those missions (those with time left on contract). That leaves, the "dregs" for those with less time left.

Additionally, it's not beneficial for the unit or the service to send that member to school when you are on your final year.

So let's look a timelines, you can reenlist 1 year out. You can accrue 90 days leave (60 day on close of fiscal year). So that drops it to 10 months. It takes about 6~ weeks to out process including all the classes, if you do it correctly, 3 if you rush it. So that takes you to 9 months.

What are they going to do with you for 9 months? They're going to load you up on busy work. Whereas someone who is planning to extend reenlist needs follow-on training, which is just going to eat away at that time, they'll get longer term missions, instead of details.

Now, some commands set a bad "tone" and don't convey what is happening adequately, which leaves a bad taste in everyone's' mouths.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 5:53 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:53:42 -0400

SGT Hill, I do not have experience with that sort of treatment of Soldiers deciding to ETS but I have a lot of experience where it appears that the Soldiers records were poorly maintained in the transition and once the Soldier either transitions to the Reserve or out of the IRR to the Reserve it presents an invalid picture of said Soldier. The best thing you can do is be the better Soldier, do what you know is right and end your time with pride and devotion to the Army. From experience, never let one Unit or a few bad Leaders ruin what the Army has done for you.