Is being put on ABCP a career ender?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 18:20:36 -0400

One of the Junior Enlisted soldiers in my unit got put on ABCP and they are freaking out like their career is over and they’ll never be able to do things again. Once he comes off of ABCP does that follow you for the rest of your career? Or is it a move on with your career type thing?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 6:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 18:23:53 -0400

Here is the deal. The only way it's a "career killer" is if you fail the HT/WT twice in a 12 month period. If he gets off the program and stays off for at least 12 more months, then he has nothing to worry about. And no, failing one HT/WT and being placed on the ABCP will not follow you thru your career.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 6:44 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 18:44:33 -0400

If he wants to stay in then not at all. Needs to get off of it and stay off it for 12 months. Then technically he can get back on it and the cycle restarts. It's only grounds for separation if you family height and weight twice before getting off it in the first place or gets back on it a second time in that 12month window.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 8:55 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 20:55:16 -0400

I've been the Weight Control NCO for my old unit for about two years and soldiers would only ruin their career if they stay on it without improving, improve and then off the program just to go back on in a short time frame, etc. Being on a program doesn't necessarily mean you compromise anything as it can show development and growth. Also the counseling associated with a soldier can speak louder than this. I agree that if they looked up the AR on this it will help a lot, talk to their FLL, or ask whoever is in charge of their process for information on what can be done and how this impacts them later.
As long as there has been improvement on the soldier that complies with the regular there shouldn't be a worry.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 8 at 2019 10:04 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 22:04:11 -0400

Career Ender: No (walking proof)
Does it follow him?: yes for a specified period, look at AR600-9. believe it is three years. If he busts tape before the period is over, chapter. If they bust tape after, they reenter the program.
Not able to do things: Yes and No. Soldier is flagged, no favorable actions like promotion, awards, schools. Flag is transferable so they can PCS...but I would not. First day, determined fat and out of shape, not the best start. If they become an NCO, its a whole field on the NCOER. Intangibles: the soldier can never eat a beer, donut, cookie, pastry, or anything considered enjoyable in public again. Always judging. Kale, forever kale, with an 1/8th of an inch of the fork tines dunked in fat free dressing....because reasons. If you're fat you must therefore be miserable and repentent and contrite for your fitness sins in the face of the leadership, until you have a 214.
Freak out? yes, if that is what it takes to get in shape and stay there. Otherwise you are yo-yoing and the amplitude of the waves get bigger. Then you get old and it is really painful. At the end I was swimming for 45 minutes straight everyday, then doing unit PT, then doing strength training. 2-3 hours sometimes. Just to lose a 1/4 inch off my waist so I'd pass.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 10:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 22:15:56 -0400

It is not a career ender, however, it does stay in the system (eMILPO) for 3yrs and it will have a date in which it will fall out completely.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2019 1:07 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 01:07:52 -0400

Is it a career killer? No. AR 600-9.
But the best life advice I’ve ever received/passed on is that you can build 1000 bridges but only suck 1 c*ck. And the world won’t remember you as a bridge builder.

After getting off the ABCP, the soldier needs to get back to building the biggest, best, shiniest bridges possible. Because Army leadership tends to have long memories, particularly about infractions.

Best of luck

Response by SFC(P) Richard Warren made Nov 26 at 2019 3:40 PM

SFC(P) Richard Warren — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:40:04 -0500

I was put on the ABCP in 2006 when I was a young Specialist. I worked my ass off (literally) to lose the weight. I can't run because a combat injury that broke my neck, back, and knee, so I walked 15 to 20 miles each day for 3 months at the APFT walk pace.

My CoC saw that I lost almost 60 lbs. That dedication to meeting the standard, in their eyes, was enough to show I was worthy of E5.

The situation is what the soldier makes of it.