Re-enlisting?

2019-07-19T20:04:58-04:00

Currently airborne @ Bragg and want to re-enlist for Korea. Wife is still living in Korea pursuing her PHD, which should take two more years. The LDR has been incredibly expensive and we are trying to find a way for me to get back. My career counselor said that i can PCS to another airborne unit at two years (next year) or wait the 36 months. Could I drop my airborne status and be able to re-enlist? If I did that would that jeopardize my career?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jul 19 at 2019 8:47 PM

2019-07-19T20:47:29-04:00

Suicidal if you ask me. With your MOS you can go pretty much every where so try to get an assignment to Korea. Perhaps call to your branch manager is in place!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2019 10:27 PM

2019-07-19T22:27:22-04:00

If you are in a paid parachutist position and you choose to sign a declination statement to get off jump status, you won't be able to reenlist nor get any favorable action. It's not a good idea. It's probably best you speak with your branch manager to see what they can do for you in your situation, but don't be surprised if they say you have to fulfill your airborne contract. I'm sorry I don't have any good news for you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2019 1:16 AM

2019-07-20T01:16:53-04:00

Your Career Counselor is correct. You are obligated to three years at an Airborne assignment. When you accepted your current Airborne assignment, you agreed to three years on airborne. If you terminate your airborne status without fulfilling your obligation you will be subject to field grade UCMJ. Then you wouldn't be eligible to reenlist, and it would be a moot point.
The only airborne units in Korea are Detachment 39 and 112th Signal attached to SOCKOR, neither of which have a 74D position. A more viable option is to request 1st Bn, 1st SFG in Okinawa. You can catch a hop to Korea, and frequent training and TDY there as well.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 20 at 2019 9:58 AM

2019-07-20T09:58:57-04:00

Is her PhD going to be useful in the US? Many foreign educations do not transfer well and if she stays there for this and then needs to stay there for work, which is important to you, an Army career or living with her in Korea? You. may need to make a difficult decision in the near future or at the very least have this discussion with her.