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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Ask yourself this. Is there EVER a chance I might want to come back in the future???? Think hard on this because 8yrs is only 12 from the end because I assume your on the old retirement system. If the answer is you are going to leave those eight years on the table then do what is right for you know(Like the 1SG below is saying). . Otherwise, stage yourself for the future.
The NG is very good old boys club oriented, think about reserves, if you get out no loss now but in the future you might have wished you stayed in. I was In the Guards to long and I was thinking about getting out but I went IRR and never looked back. 38yrs later I retired with 10 yrs active duty as an enlisted, and 7 yrs as an officer.
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I am seriously considering the IRR route, sir. Im glad someone mentioned that.
LTC Bert Wilson
No problem ohh and I meant 7 yrs active duty as an officer.
When I was in 1/7 ADA PATRIOT, we were practically infested with LTs. Some were even West Point grads. I found them to be basically privates with perks. Some were hardcore career guys. Others were gonna get out at the end of their obligation. We all were so damn young. We just kept our heads down and did our job and I think that's good enough for respect.
Dunno about your side of the line, but go for your 3. Time in service means a lot too. 3 deployments and still not made 3? I know the reserves and guard I was myself... just sucks cause you sound like you're a decent leader who can make a difference.
Active Duty? Leaving O-2 means you were either injured and medically discharged, or you were kicked out for misbehavior.
Guard/Reserve? Who knows. Honestly, it wasn't until recently I discovered that Guardsmen/Reservists actually consider themselves "in the military".
Guard/Reserve? Who knows. Honestly, it wasn't until recently I discovered that Guardsmen/Reservists actually consider themselves "in the military".
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SFC Michael Hasbun AWOL is still a big deal even in the Guard. But that was more in response to doing things at a moment's notice, SFC.
SFC Michael Hasbun
1LT Wes Mincin - understood. The whole topic was more about day to day mindset, not special occasions like deployments, but yes, I gotcha sir.
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SFC Michael Hasbun I understand, SFC. My bad. On that end, i begrudgingly agree. Its a challenge in the ARNG when you have a number of high speeds followed by some guys who became Soldiers..."just cuz". Whereas some of us do our best to maintain a level of readiness to be deployed and engaged at the drop of a hat, there are some that unfortunately feed the stereotypes.
Were I Active, I probably would have never asked this question. But aside from my CO saying its not out of the ordinary to leave the Guard as an O-2, it never dawned on me up to that point regarding how common it was.
Were I Active, I probably would have never asked this question. But aside from my CO saying its not out of the ordinary to leave the Guard as an O-2, it never dawned on me up to that point regarding how common it was.
SFC Michael Hasbun
1LT Wes Mincin - Understood completely. For us it's odd, only because of the typical service obligations incurred when commissioning, when combined with general promotion timelines, usually have our one termers leaving the service at O-3 as the norm. We certainly have our outliers, but those are usually the medical/conduct/performance issues I initially mentioned.
The reserve world is an odd duck to me, so I'm not sure what the viewpoint would be in that context.
The reserve world is an odd duck to me, so I'm not sure what the viewpoint would be in that context.
As a Guardsman it comes down to 2 main points. Is your desire to serve your Country outweighed by your requirements for family and your civilian employment? Once you can answer that question the rest is easy. I will say that the check and Tricare at 60 are nice benefits and should figure 8nto any equation.
If you were active the whole time as an officer, then it would raise questions about why you left as an O-2...medical? force reduction? got in trouble? But as NG or Reserves I doubt anyone would think twice, esp civilians. You have to do whats right for you and your family. Since you say you are moving to Florida, maybe once you get settled there check with any local Guard units and maybe you will find a Guard/Work/Life balance that works for you better than your current unit. Good luck.
One of my old PLs got separated as a 2LT for carrying on a relationship with a Private.
Interestingly enough, I retired from both law enforcement and the Army. I retired out as an 03 and have always regretted not staying in, after 22 years of combined service. That being said, it was my choice not theirs to retire. You have served and paid your dues. Do what is best for your family. I would suggest that perhaps you think of their future as well. On the other hand staying in and making 03 would feel good, absolutely feel good. As with anything worthwhile, your family and or your service is worth the effort.
You already have a job and career so it’s not like you are relying on your Army time to land you a job.
At this point, 8 years of ARNG time is frosting on the cake, not the main course.
At this point, 8 years of ARNG time is frosting on the cake, not the main course.
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