Is this one of the oddest military retirement documents ever?

2017-10-11T17:10:25-04:00

This is a document certifying the retirement from the Army of Sergeant Major Henry Gettman, my father, issued in 2004, twenty-one years after my dad passed away and thirty-three years after he retired. The certificate, a DD 363A, which didn't exist until August 1999, is dated 17 December 1971 and signed by Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Eric Shinseki, who wasn't Chief of Staff of the Army when this was issued. My former troop commander from the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment, Pete Schoomaker was.

Here is the story....my dad was retired in 1971 while a sergeant major with 37 years service. He was retired as a first lieutenant though because of a battlefield commission he received during WW II. It really pissed my dad off but he thought there was nothing he could do and went along with the program.

In 2003 I contacted the Department of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, sending them a 72 page letter detailing my dad's career and explaining how it was a slap in the face to retire him as first lieutenant. The board agreed and his retirement rank was changed in 2004. Shown here is the new certificate, the original certificate, and part of the letter from DoA.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2017 5:15 PM

2017-10-11T17:15:40-04:00

Better late than never, I guess.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Oct 11 at 2017 5:16 PM

2017-10-11T17:16:48-04:00

ok I'm a bit confused. They showed him retired as a SGM or lieutenant which is what was wanted??

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2017 5:18 PM

2017-10-11T17:18:44-04:00

Soooooo......was he a LT or a SGM?

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Oct 11 at 2017 5:24 PM

2017-10-11T17:24:16-04:00

The document doesn't seem all that odd, but I imagine the rest of the story behind it is quite interesting. I'd be curious to hear the tale of the battlefield commission, and I'm assuming he resigned it following the war to go back to being Enlisted?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 11 at 2017 5:48 PM

2017-10-11T17:48:30-04:00

Great story! I ask at which grade did he collect retirement pay? I'll bet he cashed every retirement check issued at the O-2 over 30 years rate. I honor your Dad's service in all his ranks, but it's really not an insult to be an officer.

Before DOPMA, some NCOs held "hip pocket" commissions from temporary promotion on battlefield or in Reserves. They were allowed to retire in their highest and more lucrative grade. Biggest difference I saw was an E-7 who retired as an O-5 due to Reserve service, activation for Korea, and electing to remain on active duty after being passed over for O-6.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Oct 11 at 2017 6:11 PM

2017-10-11T18:11:09-04:00

There was an old rule where an individual would obtain rank on both sides of the isle. A retired SF CSM I used to work with 20 yrs ago told me about it, because when he retired, he was an O5 equivalent - his words. I’d love to explain more, it’s just been so long, I don’t recall the pertinent details. I would enjoy reading if one of our older retirees could bring us up to speed again on how the system worked so more would have a clearer understanding on why this was done.

V/R,
Jim

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2017 12:56 AM

2017-10-12T00:56:44-04:00

That is quite an interesting story. It's sad that your father isn't around to witness the change but I believe he would be happy knowing he was put back down as a Sergeant Major. As for the Chief of Staff that signed it due to the dates it'll make it an interesting story if it ever comes up!

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Oct 12 at 2017 10:44 AM

2017-10-12T10:44:24-04:00

The retirement document is standard practice. GEN Shinseki served as Army CoS from June 21, 1999 through June 11, 2003. It is likely that the retirement document was generated by the board using "left-over" retirement certificates until new ones were printed with GEN Schoomaker's name on them. <<Keep in mind that there was a gap of 50 days between GENs Shinseki and Schomaker>>.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 12 at 2017 12:17 PM

2017-10-12T12:17:52-04:00

Someone requested this or it was generated by a spelling error or some gliche. I have the same document and was sent it after I retired.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 12 at 2017 2:33 PM

2017-10-12T14:33:03-04:00

Well, the certificate isn't dated. It shows a retirement date. While CoS, Shinseki signed blanks and the issuer had some of them that wre left over.