Forced Retirement. Why do we let it happen?

2015-06-12T21:11:35-04:00

Why is it that so so many people are released shortly before their 20 or 30 year anniversary? It seems like BS to me. My dad was cut 3 years prior to his 30 because they would not promote him. I hear countless similar stories. Why does this happen, and why do we continue to let it happen to our Brothers and Sisters still serving?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 12 at 2015 9:17 PM

2015-06-12T21:17:15-04:00

SPC Jeffrey Bly, RIFs allow the young SMs an opportunity to advance. "They wouldn't promote him"; have you researched the 'why' behind that statement?

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 12 at 2015 9:17 PM

2015-06-12T21:17:34-04:00

The Army is seriously looking at changing this...at least for non-combat MOSs.

This is a system that really in place for combat MOSs (the majority of our forces) where mid-30s to 40s is past their 'career prime'.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 13 at 2015 1:06 AM

2015-06-13T01:06:13-04:00

This can be a very loaded question. Sometimes people are forced to retire early because of an "incident" like DUI, sexual harassment/assault, etc.

Sometimes they are separated because they can't advance, and they have to retire so that people below them can move up in rank.

There's a lot of variables here.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2015 1:12 AM

2015-06-13T01:12:24-04:00

Why should we keep paying someone for a job a younger person can do? What are they adding to the fold? Can they still make the standards? There are plenty of reasons, especially the guys just short of 20 who got there by existing but expect retirement payments forever in exchange for 20 years of mediocrity.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 13 at 2015 1:15 AM

2015-06-13T01:15:50-04:00

Because we can not all band together as a "Special Interest Group...VETERANS" instead of voting for whatever Hyphenated-American you are. I don't have a Hyphen. I vote Pro-Military, Pro-Veteran, Pro-Gun....PERIOD, and in that order. I can not remember a single Communis....Urr.....Democrat I ever voted for. So that tells you something

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jun 13 at 2015 8:20 AM

2015-06-13T08:20:31-04:00

First I want to say I think their is a misconception with your question. You may see many people leaving before their 20 or 30 year mark, but it usually has a reason behind it, they or the military does not tell.

I can not talk about the Army, but the Air Force does have rank limitations. If you were an E-7, the Maximum time in service was 24 years. If you failed to promote you were gone. All the ranks were the same. I knew a few E-5's through my career that stayed E-5 until they retired. Some were unable to advance, and some refused to advance. The Air Force has changed that too, I think you need to be an E-6 to retire, not sure though.

Medical retirement was also something that happened. If the Military did not think you were physically able to do your job you were medical retired. Seen a few of those I questioned. But other people I seen game the system. One of my first young airmen decided he wanted to get out through Medical. So he went and complained to the Doc over and over again. The Doc finally gave him his med retirement. I ended up getting a call a couple years later. He was asking me how to get back in. I know another guy who was an awesome troop, just had some upset stomach problems. When he went to the Doc, they couldn't lock down what was wrong so they Med Boarded him.

What LCDR Private RallyPoint Member said in his post is also correct. You have to remember, the military is not a Civilian Job. Do you want someone next to you who shows the competency of a thumb tack? Do you want a leader who could not lead ants to a picnic?

Yes I understand some people make it through the cracks. I know people who gained rank because of their testing and servitude skills rather than hard work and leadership ability. But the system as a whole does work. Not as efficient as some would like, but it does.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 13 at 2015 8:39 AM

2015-06-13T08:39:12-04:00

Assumption made in order to answer the question: "Forced retirements" = people who reach their retention control points (or similar terminology for different ranks and services), and not people who are being forced out for misconduct, being released by reductions in force, taking early retirement, etc.

I'm not aware of anyone being released shortly before their 20th anniversary. Before 30? Certainly, because they're already retirement-eligible. However, the system has processes in place to keep from pushing soldiers out late in their career, just before reaching 20.

I'm okay with the "forced retirements". Allowing people to stay in just clogs up the promotion process for those below them. It's an up-or-out system, and we all know that from the start. If you allow people to hang around, you'll eventually see it result in attrition at the mid and lower levels by those who can't get promoted because slots aren't coming open.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2015 9:03 AM

2015-06-13T09:03:21-04:00

RCP does that to those under 20. The ones over 20 but under 30 are pushed out to make room for more promotions.