How often do Officers leave the military as O-2s?

I have had a couple of Captains resign their commission due to home and family life. Do what is best for you.

As a SFC I had about 6 PL’s in my time before I retired. 2 made CPT after the PL time while serving as XO. The other 4 submitted there unqualified resignations. They wanted out they completed their time honorably! And are successful too this day. Who gives a shit if you want to get out or make it a career!

Do what is best for you and your family. You served your country. I did 4 years AD and left 4 days before I would have made CPT. I made CPT and MAJ as an IMA. I than did 10 years TPU and retired as a LTC, 4 months before my COL board.

I would say it happens all the time. I had a four year commitment and served from 86 to 90. They pushed out Captain to 4.5 years for my year group. I tore my ACL during a training accident and decided that graduate school and a civilian law enforcement career was for me. When I first commissioned, it was 3 years, then a little longer every year. I had a friend that only had a 3 year commitment and he was out.

The Guard is different from the regular Army when it comes to promotions. Your willingness to change units to fill slots has a lot to do with it. A friend of mine started out enlisted. He waited and waited and finally became an officer. He told me he didn't expect to move past Captain. Then there was a restructure in the State and there was a opening for a Major but it was about 250 miles away. For whatever reason, nobody took it. They went down their list of eligible officers and finally got to my friend. He said what the hell and accept. Since he owned his own manufacturing business, he was able to take off early on Friday to make the trip. His promotion to Major put him ahead of many formerly senior Captains. Then a few years later an opening came up closer to our town. Again, he was a junior Major, but he said he would take the slot and became a LTC. Not that long afterwards, he was approaching 60 and retired. Meanwhile, our local TV weatherman was our Protocol Officer. He was a Captain forever. He was not willing to move and just waited for local slots to open up. He got lucky and a Major's slot opened before he retired. He had already obtained permission be exempt from regular haircut regs due to his nightly appearances as our weatherman. He didn't want a different slot where he had to "conform to standards".

So Lt, that would be for you to decide what is important for you. I have had to take administrative reduction in rank several times in my career. I guess I could have retired at a much higher rank had I taken a different path, but in the end, I am happy with my choices.

Sir, I don't think it will be a problem. In my own experience, most of the officers I met were only in for a few years. And yes, most of them weren't concerned about making Captain. They just wanted and/or needed that deployment experience and get some dirt under their nails & in their boots. Your calling may be outside the military, but you may need that time in to bolster your resume or teach you something that you'll need down the line. Best of luck and I'm sure you'll make the right decision for your future.

would it really matter?

I like the IRR path. After I left active duty (6 year), I spent about 4 years in a couple of different state NG units. When my last unit was alerted for the Iran crisis, my wife insisted I get out at the earliest opportunity (which came up once the alert was rescinded). As they say, "happy wife, happy life." I did join the state chartered militia.

Tough call. I was E6 with good years. I had a good civilian career, enjoyed drilling, but wanted more than what the Navy could offer me. I don't regret my decision, and like many "former" military, support those who are making it a career.

Audie Murphy left active duty in September 1945 as a first lieutenant. Nobody thought anything bad about him.