Do you feel that Soldiers who are dropping their retirement packets should be assigned to the WTB "Warrior Transition Unit"?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 12:46:15 -0400

Soldiers transitioning regardless of injuries or retirement need to transition accordingly. So once a Soldier has their retirement packet approved should they be assigned to the WTB?

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Aug 25 at 2017 12:51 PM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 12:51:40 -0400

nope....the WTB is for wounded warriors....If they are wounded or getting medically boarded..then yes.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 25 at 2017 12:51 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 12:51:42 -0400

Sounds like great idea, I got friend who has 28 years in and he has 1 year left to retirement why in the hell did his unit send him to Korea and then send him to WTB or WTU.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 25 at 2017 1:08 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 13:08:35 -0400

The SM telling the Army they want to retire, is still serving until the last day.
If you want a day to yourself with no assigned tasks, take leave or a pass.
US ARMY= Uncle Sam Aint Released Me Yet If your still wearing the US name tape, you still have an obligation to serve.

If the retiring member has no critical tasks in the unit they can be an asset at, and the unit has a need to fill a tasking at WTB... sounds like a great fit.. The retiring SM can do their duty and when not tasked, transition out.

Too many ROAD service members out there, who think once they drop a request to retire they have no further duty requirement to the unit. Nothing could be further from the truth than that. There are transition tasks, which the unit needs to support, but that does not mean no assigned tasks for the 3, 6, 18 months the SM is taking to transition out.

To the SM who wants to quit once they drop a retirement packet......18 hour duty days as the wash rack NCO have to be filled by someone...... bring your wet weather gear, your going to need it your last few months.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Aug 25 at 2017 1:09 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 13:09:48 -0400

The WTU will be amongst the first units to disband once the flow of injured Soldiers slows to a trickle and the one currently assigned are returned to their units or retired. When the budgets start shrinking again the priorities will be for regular units first. This has been an ongoing thing with Provisional units and units that no longer have a mission or job.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2017 1:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 13:37:46 -0400

No and No, I worked as a squad leader for the WTB back in 2008 and it was designed for wounded warriors so we could assist them in either transitioning back at the current MOS is physically possible, re-classing to a different MOS or helping with their med board and out processing. Units at Ft. Hood misused the WTB by sending us soldiers who got injured during off duty stuff etc so they could fill that soldiers slot with an fresh healthy body. They closed that loop hole by the end of 2008 and let us concentrate on those who were actual wounded warriors.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 25 at 2017 2:11 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 14:11:07 -0400

I think that they should be, but not until after some time. My reasoning is simple. I believe that at such a time that a person has served their 20 they are more than likely in a position of some kind of responsibility. I think that they should stay in their position in order to left seat right seat with their replacement before moving over to the transition unit. I think that the system would work well so as to not leave the new guys scrambling to figure out the job.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2017 2:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 14:27:11 -0400

No, the WTB were created to perform a function, not to be a dumping ground. There are plenty of duties someone who is on their way out can perform at battalion, brigade, and division levels that provide a necessary functions.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Aug 25 at 2017 3:31 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 15:31:44 -0400

Absolutely not. If anything the last year they're in should be when they start grooming a replacement. Yes leaders should always be doing that, but when retirement is looming there should be a greater urgency to train someone to replace your loss. I'll go a step further. The last year before retirement should see NCOs in the ranks of SFC, MSG, 1SG, SGM, CSM on the trail obviously as the senior Drill Sergeant, 1SG, CSM or as cadre. Those positions could be used to:
1. Mentor the drill sergeants and prepare them for greater responsibility
2. Mentor privates on their new units expectations.
3. Ensure that a lifetime of experience is shared with future generations.

Think of it like this. To get good at something you must spend time to master it. There is little doubt that senior NCOs have mastered their respective MOS's.

I have similar opinions for officers planning to retire. They should be involved in the minting of new officers for the same reasons.

I know that this is just the opinion of a former buck Sergeant, but I feel that the older soldiers have the most information that can be given.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2017 8:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 20:29:32 -0400

What the army should do in my opinion is at the 18-19 year mark. You should have to sign a counseling from retention telling the army your intention to retire at 20. At least that way the unit can list you as known losses and can request your replacement. Thats usually the reason why you need to work until your leave because there is no one to take over your job. Luckily for me my replacement showed up a year out and i have been able to do what i need to do. I was in a small shop so it was just me and my chief.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 8 at 2017 3:15 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:15:12 -0400

There is a specific purpose for the WTB, they cannot afford to splinter their focus away from their primary reason for existing. Units have long managed the transition, ETS, PCS or retirement of Soldiers, they too have a specific purpose and are inherently prepared to mange this process.