Posted on Jun 7, 2021
How often do Officers leave the military as O-2s?
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I'm looking down the barrel of another deployment (I'm looking forward to it). During my last IDT, the SXO approached me and asked if I was planning on staying in or leaving. I'm looking to move to Florida upon our return from this deployment and by the time we get backed I'll have 8 years in. Balancing life as an Officer in the Army (National Guard) and a Police Officer is quite the challenge. Add a family on the way and it's rather daunting. I could have promoted a couple years ago but found out that my current unit (in 2018) was possibly deploying to Afghanistan and I REALLY wanted to go as a PL (since my time as a PL was rather checkered). That mission got scrapped so I'm going where we are going now as the Troop XO. It dawned on me that a good part of me doesn't care about making Captain. My evals have always been good and I've always performed well at PT. But the way the SXO and a few other Officers talked about it made me wonder...is it considered bad if an Officer leaves the military as an O-2? I was curious what anyone here, Active, Guard, or Reserves thought.
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Responses: 135
You’ve served your country - do what is right for YOU!! I learned the hard way that YOU have to do what is best for YOU…..NOT what is best for the military although I am proud to have served and would do it again. THANK YOU for your service
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Thank you for yours, ma'am!
I was ARNG left as an E5 with 22 years I've no problem for anyone who asks i was initially Active AF then got out for like 16 years went back in did a 3 years Active army got injured recovered and the rest of the time was happy as an E5. Also my civilian education was more important to me than military schooling. So do let it bum you out.
I switched to the Army after 12 years USAF. Made E6 in the AF, bumped to E5 when I switched. Sitting at 18 years and probably will be medically retired soon. I KNOW what some individuals think when they see me as an E5 after so many years. I also know what all the troops who have served under me think about me, and that is all I care about. My priorities are to take care of my people, do my job, then consider what people think about me. In that order. I have always told my soldiers/airmen that if they are being screwed over that I will do everything I can to help them out, even if it makes leadership turds angry at me. The promotion systems in the military are so screwed these days. Be a yes man and look out for yourself and you will promote. Do your job and place your people first, and you probably won't.
I got screwed out of my sergeant stripes and was a E-4 when I got out, but I am still proud of serving my country and you should be too.
You can leave anytime you want to leave. I left the active army as a 1LT to become a police officer. I earned way more money, had much higher job satisfaction, and was much happier with my life as a police officer. Getting out of the army was one of the smartest decisions I ever made. Life is on YOUR terms! You can always go back into the reserve components after a break of a few years. I eventually retired as an O-4. Good luck. Do what makes you happy.
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Sir, how difficult would you say it was to get back into the reserves as an officer? I've been told it's a hassle.
MAJ Vic Artiga
Getting back into the Guard was super easy. I found a local guard unit that had an officer vacancy--many guard units do. Even though it was an MI unit and I was an FA officer they found a slot for me. They put me in touch with the guard recruiter in their armory. The recruiter helped me with the paperwork, scheduling a new physical (I had been off of active duty for three years at that point), and all the other paperwork. The whole process took about four months, but that was way back in 1999 before computers made life easier. Getting back in should not be a problem. I even know people who came back from retirement.
Wondering why you’re an O2 after 8 years. That is highly unusual. You should have promoted 6 years ago.
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Well...if I'm entirely honest, it's because I chose to come on this deployment as the XO. The reason being is because had I taken the Captain slot offered, a particular individual that proved to be extremely toxic to the Troop would have taken my place. I have a pretty tight bond with my Soldiers so there was no way I was going to let that individual near them if I could help it.
Guard is just a different animal. As active it's all about timing, usually if you have a four year commitment from your commissioning source you will make 0-3 before you get out and it just depends where you are in line you could make 0-3 and get out the next month or just miss making it. Are you prior service? If not then yeah it's a little odd but as soon as you say Guard most people just go, oh OK, because they know the normal active duty norms are out the window. Just make whatever decision is best for you and your family you've done plenty for the country and sounds like you are still serving as a police officer...well done.
40 years ago I left active duty as a 13A O-2. It was a hard decision to make, and though I’ve had a happy family life and challenging responsibilities in civilian life, I still have some regrets. But like the 1SG said, you have to do what is right for you and your family, regardless of the cost.
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