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
I retired from the Air Force in 1997. In all the time since then, there have been very few (probably less than a 10) people who've asked me what rank I was when I retired, and none of those people were involved in my job interviews. Do what's right for you and your family.
Suppose you do not like what you are doing. LEAVE!! All you will do is drag the Company and the Troops down when you are seen not wanting to be there if you are able to leave then go. No shame in getting out.
CW3 Ret. Douglas Cruickshank
CW3 Ret. Douglas Cruickshank
ME! Mister Cotter pick me. (Old humor) Retired enlisted. but the time you have; do the course. I so enjoyed my time from my career to do TDY's in the reserves. Woke stuff sucks. Racial disharmony sucks. My career was smooth sailing politically minus the Clinton years. I am 61 enjoying a nice little retirement. Add all the active you can. and God Bless Trump gets back in office and it won't be painful.
Wes,
Been in your shoes. I stayed and made O-3, but it was a hectic time. You need support in civilian world if you decide to resign your commission. Make sure your medical and financial system is set. It is a tough transition as The Army took care of me for five years and I decided to teach school and have a family. I didn’t have the connections and had to start all over again which is stressful, with injuries, PTSD, and the stress of dealing with ignorant civilians. My Ranger training helped. The biggest room of all is the room for improvement.
Best,
Dai uy
Been in your shoes. I stayed and made O-3, but it was a hectic time. You need support in civilian world if you decide to resign your commission. Make sure your medical and financial system is set. It is a tough transition as The Army took care of me for five years and I decided to teach school and have a family. I didn’t have the connections and had to start all over again which is stressful, with injuries, PTSD, and the stress of dealing with ignorant civilians. My Ranger training helped. The biggest room of all is the room for improvement.
Best,
Dai uy
I highly recommend that you transfer to Florida! You have the right to take care of family first! When you transfer to Florida, you can find a better unit! The is the drawback of the ANG! If you are in the “Mix” you are fine but if you cross the powers that be, you are done! Leaving as an O-2 makes you have to explain. It gets tiring! You can get a new start! Don’t let them take from you!
It doesn't happen very much but it does happen. Health issues, prior enlisted service or any of a number of other conditions could cause an earlier retirement. We choose what is most important in our lives and honorable service is honorable service. If I were in your shoes--and I'm not--I would probably stick around and go for the brass ring (captain's bars) but your priorities may be much different than mine. In any case, best of luck in your future ventures and thanks for your service!
I was just going to say that I resemble this question, 1LT Wes Mincin, but the truth is it's mostly been a bemusing point of introduction with other former military types - the ones who raise an eyebrow because they know there *has* to be a story behind that (my enlisted time was much more checkered than my commissioned time).
As far as civilians go, most of them are too busy mumbling "Thank you for your service" to say anything iffy.
As far as civilians go, most of them are too busy mumbling "Thank you for your service" to say anything iffy.
I know it's already been said, but you've got to do what's best for your family. My other thought, being a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, things must be really different in the Reserves and National Guard. 8 years service and you're only an O-2? Where you prior enlisted? Why didn't you promote when you had the chance? I'm guessing PL is Platoon Leader? I'm also guessing there are no HYTs in the Reserves or Guard?
Bottom line, do what makes you happy, but family should come first. Looks like you have two really HIGH stress jobs. Military (deployments) and Law Enforcement with the chaos of today's world.
Ok, that's how I would have responded. So, now that we are 13 months later, did you make a choice?
Bottom line, do what makes you happy, but family should come first. Looks like you have two really HIGH stress jobs. Military (deployments) and Law Enforcement with the chaos of today's world.
Ok, that's how I would have responded. So, now that we are 13 months later, did you make a choice?
It’s your call Sir, do what you feel is best for you. I’d guess leaving the Army as an O-2 is more common in the guard than active duty. I saw an officer leave as an O-1 once, but there was a DUI involved. Hated to see him go, real sharp guy, could’ve been awesome at higher rank. But, one dumb decision cancelled all the good stuff.
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I was told no by two departments and while theres more im waiting to hear on, I find myself reflecting on what the Army taught me and how that got me through short comings Ive experienced in the past.
Soldiers dont fail unless we quit. Ive got plenty left in the tank