Posted on Sep 17, 2018
What are my options after being passed over for promotion twice?
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I have an urgent question re: Promotion Board to Major in the Army Reserve. I just found out I didn’t make my second look and just got the letter in the mail that I’m being forced out. I have fourteen good years in the Army (mostly active with some Reserve years and some enlisted years in the late 90s) and want to know what my options are to make it to 20? Anyone who can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.
Some details:
-I spent most of my time on active duty in ‘00s-with one mobilized reserve 15 month period—got out in 2008 as a CPT, never did my CCC before I got out bc I thought I was done.
—Spent almost 9 years in IRR before deciding to come back in 2017.
—I never knew I was put up for Major Board (apparently) before so I submitted my packet for FY18 board that results just came out knowing I prob wouldn’t be selected because my CCC wasn’t done yet
—my CCC is now done, I was targeting FY 19 board in March to be picked up to MAJ
—I knew I was pushing my mandatory retirement date in Jul 2020 when I came back in to get promoted. I commissioned in 2000 so 2020 is when I hit 20 years commisioned and as a Captain and would have needed to retire. So I thought I was being smart and getting in under the radar to be promoted before I was forced out. I thought I managed my career right.
—this two time passed over and out really hit me out of nowhere—I do not know what to do, I want to do my 20 good years and retire.
Caveat to all of the above—I know it’s my responsibility to manage my own career and obviously I did not, but I am being perfectly honest when saying I just did not know I was put up for MAJ before—I feel like I totally flushed my career down the drain just when I thought I was getting back on track. I really enjoyed the past 18 months back in and now it might be over
Questions:
—is there any way to appeal to get a third look?
—is there any way for me stay in?
—is there anyway for me to reach 20 good years? Can I resign my commission and go enlisted to make it? (I’ve heard that somewhere)
—any advice would be really helpful and thanks for reading.
Kevin
Some details:
-I spent most of my time on active duty in ‘00s-with one mobilized reserve 15 month period—got out in 2008 as a CPT, never did my CCC before I got out bc I thought I was done.
—Spent almost 9 years in IRR before deciding to come back in 2017.
—I never knew I was put up for Major Board (apparently) before so I submitted my packet for FY18 board that results just came out knowing I prob wouldn’t be selected because my CCC wasn’t done yet
—my CCC is now done, I was targeting FY 19 board in March to be picked up to MAJ
—I knew I was pushing my mandatory retirement date in Jul 2020 when I came back in to get promoted. I commissioned in 2000 so 2020 is when I hit 20 years commisioned and as a Captain and would have needed to retire. So I thought I was being smart and getting in under the radar to be promoted before I was forced out. I thought I managed my career right.
—this two time passed over and out really hit me out of nowhere—I do not know what to do, I want to do my 20 good years and retire.
Caveat to all of the above—I know it’s my responsibility to manage my own career and obviously I did not, but I am being perfectly honest when saying I just did not know I was put up for MAJ before—I feel like I totally flushed my career down the drain just when I thought I was getting back on track. I really enjoyed the past 18 months back in and now it might be over
Questions:
—is there any way to appeal to get a third look?
—is there any way for me stay in?
—is there anyway for me to reach 20 good years? Can I resign my commission and go enlisted to make it? (I’ve heard that somewhere)
—any advice would be really helpful and thanks for reading.
Kevin
ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor)
Promotion Board
Army Reserve Elements
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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I believe you can enlist as a SSG and retire as a CPT. You can still use your knowledge and experience.
CSM Charles Hayden SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL MSG (Join to see) LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. CPT Pedro Meza SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint LTC (Join to see) 1SG (P) Mark Rudolph LTC John Mohor SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
CSM Charles Hayden SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL MSG (Join to see) LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. CPT Pedro Meza SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint LTC (Join to see) 1SG (P) Mark Rudolph LTC John Mohor SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
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Capt (Join to see)
I had a regular commission and the law at that time was that I could not revert to an NOC grade. Even though I had been A Ssgt before being commissioned I would have had to come back as an E-3.
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I has 14 + years active duty Air Force After a 3 year break i went into the Army Reserves and served 8 1/2 years. That allowed me to be retired at age 60 and every day of my active duty counted towards calculating my retired pay. For me it was very worth it. I would at least check it out. Oh, and I retired at the highest grade held. Message me if you want to discuss it further.
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LTC (Join to see)
Yes, thank you for clarifying since I'm trying to explain it to an Airforce officer.
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LTC (Join to see)
CGSOC Command and General Staff Officer Course formerly Intermediate Level Education is what Majors take to make LTC.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I know...when I was Army ROTC, my PMS was a CGSC grad, his research, he'd told !e was on wargaming using WW2 info, I did a Pepe for him on that whole topic, the only award I ever got in the program, the mil hist award....
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CPT Kevin Newell talk to in service recruiters for both enlisted and Warrant. Even if you needed to enlist as an E-3 or E-4 you will get you're retired pay as a CPT after you have that twenty year letter in hand. I started looking into it when I was passed over the first time for 0-4. It's doable don't lose hope!
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CPT (Join to see) Back when; our BN HQ Co’s Mess Sgt, Jake T was a previous CPT - he owned a nice Model A, fully restored.
Jake had earlier been a Co Cdr in the BN.
Jake had earlier been a Co Cdr in the BN.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Our XO at WOBC reverted to Gunny from Captain, maybe Infantry WO Gunner later (I heard). Got a high award with a TF for trashing an armor convoy with TOWs in DS. Likely there are similar examples throughout the years in all Services.
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I knew a few Marines in the same boat that were allowed to revert to Enlisted - SSgt or GySgt, depending on their seniority and the ruling of HQMC. You still retire at highest grade held. During Nam they raided the SNCO ranks for new butter bars. Some kept the rank, but many didn't. Some retired as a Sgt Maj, but still drew the highest pay of rank(s) held. Don't know about other branches policy. No shame, so hold your head high. Tighten your pack straps and continue to march.
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Sir, you do have options available to you and your best resource for attaining those answers is through a Army Reserve Career Counselor. If you would like my assistance, please reach out to me and I will see what we can do to ensure you are still able to achieve your Army retirement. You do have a couple options but its best to review your individual case before making a specific advisement.
John P. Durapau
SFC / Army Reserve Career Counselor
6th BN ARCD
1265 Porters Chapel Road
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Office Phone: (601) 631 - 6115
Mobile: (228) 383 - 8863
Email: [login to see]
John P. Durapau
SFC / Army Reserve Career Counselor
6th BN ARCD
1265 Porters Chapel Road
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Office Phone: (601) 631 - 6115
Mobile: (228) 383 - 8863
Email: [login to see]
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We had a CPT in my old unit come under the same situation. He did not get his CCC done in time- but I told him to contact his career manager (all Reserve CPT and above have one at Army Reserve Careers Division) and had his Date of Rank adjusted for his IRR time. IRR time should not count against you.
See below posts regarding looking at enlisted time to finish out 20. You'll still retire as an O-3.
See below posts regarding looking at enlisted time to finish out 20. You'll still retire as an O-3.
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Thanks to everyone who posted and offered advice. To clarify my position more (as I wrote the original post a little PO'd).
I have a lot of Active Duty time and a couple of years in the Reserves with a long lag time in the IRR. I was enlisted 1995-2000, commissioned on Active Duty in '00, made O-3 in 2003, got out in 2005, got called back in 2007 (surge) and did an additional 18 months and got out in 2008 (thinking this was it and never doing PME), spent 9 years in IRR and came back in to the Army Reserves in beginning of 2017. I have over 4300 points so right about 13 years of time in total with "14 good years" as the Reserves counts them. FY18 Board I heard from everyone and my Branch manager that I should submit my packet even as I was finishing my PME (Captains Career Course). I thought why not? I guess I should not knowing I was apparently boarded while in IRR?? And not knowing two time look and I'm done--I was ignorant to it, I didn't know what I didn't know as they say....so, now I'm done my CCC and would get picked up in FY 19 board if I could submit, BUT I don't have that chance all because I submitted for the board in the wrong year...If I just would have waited one more year I would not have to be going through this.
What I hear from this thread as my options to try to pursue:
--resign my commission and enlist
--look at Warrant program
--look at transfer to a different service
--contact a General to get an exception/waiver
I will try all of the above, I have 6 more years to make my 20 and I am not going to give up. If I have to be an E-6 for my last years so be it. I started out as enlisted so I would be coming full circle.
Any other advice?? Any contacts for the above options? Recruiters? please send my way. Thanks to everyone!
I have a lot of Active Duty time and a couple of years in the Reserves with a long lag time in the IRR. I was enlisted 1995-2000, commissioned on Active Duty in '00, made O-3 in 2003, got out in 2005, got called back in 2007 (surge) and did an additional 18 months and got out in 2008 (thinking this was it and never doing PME), spent 9 years in IRR and came back in to the Army Reserves in beginning of 2017. I have over 4300 points so right about 13 years of time in total with "14 good years" as the Reserves counts them. FY18 Board I heard from everyone and my Branch manager that I should submit my packet even as I was finishing my PME (Captains Career Course). I thought why not? I guess I should not knowing I was apparently boarded while in IRR?? And not knowing two time look and I'm done--I was ignorant to it, I didn't know what I didn't know as they say....so, now I'm done my CCC and would get picked up in FY 19 board if I could submit, BUT I don't have that chance all because I submitted for the board in the wrong year...If I just would have waited one more year I would not have to be going through this.
What I hear from this thread as my options to try to pursue:
--resign my commission and enlist
--look at Warrant program
--look at transfer to a different service
--contact a General to get an exception/waiver
I will try all of the above, I have 6 more years to make my 20 and I am not going to give up. If I have to be an E-6 for my last years so be it. I started out as enlisted so I would be coming full circle.
Any other advice?? Any contacts for the above options? Recruiters? please send my way. Thanks to everyone!
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And Navy reopened WO1 for cyber recently, if you might have any IT background...I realize I'd suggested that for USPHS as well, I !merely also thought to suggest it, however, as I'd said, I don't know how warrants would be affected in such a case, assuming you might want to try for it, it was just another thought, honest....
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