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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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 135
I wouldn't necessarily say it was a bad thing. But I would ask myself what happened that resulted in this young man not getting promoted with his peers.
Wes,
From my vantage point...You honorably served our country, and continue to serve your community in a law enforcement capacity. Please give this some serious thought...think about what's best for you and your family at this stage in your life. The United States has a population of approximately 328 million people. Only one-percent serve and seven percent have ever served or worn the uniform. I'll leave you with this quote; "it's not about what you did, it's who you are". Coming from Navy Dirt Sailor or (SeaBee). Set, level, and square your foundation on solid bedrock.
From my vantage point...You honorably served our country, and continue to serve your community in a law enforcement capacity. Please give this some serious thought...think about what's best for you and your family at this stage in your life. The United States has a population of approximately 328 million people. Only one-percent serve and seven percent have ever served or worn the uniform. I'll leave you with this quote; "it's not about what you did, it's who you are". Coming from Navy Dirt Sailor or (SeaBee). Set, level, and square your foundation on solid bedrock.
Aren’t 02s those not selected for 03 lower level commands, just as many 04s fail to be selected for 05 ??
You seem to feel satisfied with what and where you are in your unit. I knew quite alot of 0-2 maintenance officers that did 6 - 8 years before leaving. To me, if you feel comfortable leaving so be it.
Maj Major Warren A Wolff
I have now been retired 43 years; the checks just keep coming.
The Intell unit I was in (during Cold War) required a good year's OJT for the new arrivals from The Point and others. The training up was usually the task of the experienced NCOs. The disappointment was just as soon as their tour was up they left either to rejoin their branch or to separate. A lot of time wasted. Of course Intell had no ranch per se at the time. Things might then have been different meaning the officers could have become Intell professionals.
It depends:
-on what you believe about resigning at 1LT and how you act with relation to the decision
-on how much people who know you well understand about the GuArd and your decision to leave
-on how much people outside of your friends and coworkers know about the military and normal progression through the ranks — their ignorance is your ally and opportunity
If military service isn’t for you and doesn’t help you reach your life goals, then you and the Guard will be better off if you resign. Ending honorable service is no dishoner.
-on what you believe about resigning at 1LT and how you act with relation to the decision
-on how much people who know you well understand about the GuArd and your decision to leave
-on how much people outside of your friends and coworkers know about the military and normal progression through the ranks — their ignorance is your ally and opportunity
If military service isn’t for you and doesn’t help you reach your life goals, then you and the Guard will be better off if you resign. Ending honorable service is no dishoner.
While I served on active duty for 24 years, most of my fellow ROTC graduates served their initial obligated service and then left. Some continued in the Reserves, most did not. There is no shame at all in leaving. You have to do what is best for you and your family.
Ive seen some leave as o-1s. no harm no foul. The vast majority that leave at the end of a first our that I am aware of is O3.
Pretty simple. Leave. Leave fast and don’t look back. Leave and don’t let the door hit you in the ass. You’ve almost graduated, my friend, from the most important school of life and you woke up to what is most in life… not medals, not rank, not recognition. 10 minutes after you are out of the service the whole world will look suddenly and completely look different to you. Maybe you’re not ready for real life, yet. I dunno. Maybe you’ll leave and have some sudden tinge of regret that you could have made captain and that would have made your life amazing and magical somehow. But it won’t end there. Next it’ll be major and then lieutenant colonel and one day you’ll look back and wonder how life could have been so much better and beautiful if you just got off that ego trip. Don’t think about it too, much, brother. Just do what you know deep in your heart IS bringing you happy while you’re just thinking about it. ‘Nuff said.
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