What are my options if my unit is deploying to Korea and my ETS will occur before the unit redeploys?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 22:41:01 -0400

The unit is leaving in October for a 9 month deployment to Korea. I ets in February 2019. I have no intention to continue in the Army and was planning on ets on my date. What are my options? From what I understand involuntary extension is not a thing anymore?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 11:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 23:14:25 -0400

You simply ETS

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 3 at 2018 7:38 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 07:38:47 -0400

like my friend who just came back from KOREA in same boat because he did not make SGM they kept him in Korea. he has 6 months state side to prep for retirement or ETS because they are not just going to throw you out like trash there is a process and it takes the Army some time to process you out.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Aug 3 at 2018 10:18 AM

1SG Charles Hunter — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 10:18:00 -0400

The ARMY's options are: deploy you with your unit and allow you to ETS on schedule; involuntarily extend your enlistment until the end of deployment; reassign you to a non-deploying unit and allow you to ETS on schedule at your current installation.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Aug 3 at 2018 11:46 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 11:46:24 -0400

Korea isn't like a real deployment. People actually get stationed there. When I got stationed in Korea, I had soldiers ETS from there, the guy whose squad I took over when I got to Korea retired. Korea is more of an overseas duty station than a deployment. While technically the 2 Koreas are still at war, south korea isn't a warzone. When it's time for you to ets, you'll got to CIF and turn in your gear. You'll get travel orders back home and then you can have your household goods shipped to your home as well. You'll outprocess the army like you would at any other duty station, because the army has the infrastructure there to do just that.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 3 at 2018 11:56 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 11:56:01 -0400

1. It is up to your Commander. Normally you would be stick in the rear detachment, cause no one wants to pay to have you shipped home early. 2. Instead of talking to us, you NEED to start talking to the Command- it's their decision.

Response by SSG Matthew Koehler made Aug 3 at 2018 12:00 PM

SSG Matthew Koehler — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 12:00:33 -0400

I've been out for some time, but I've never heard of a "9 month deployment to Korea." What unit are you in? I would go...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2018 12:19 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 12:19:43 -0400

South Korea is not a deployment. Your unit is on a scheduled rotation. Like a few others have said, the decision is up to your unit's commander. They can either take you on the rotation and send you home prior to your ETS, or leave you in the rear-detachment to ETS as normal.
Have you completed the required transition program? If not, you will likely be kept in the rear to do so. You are allotted a certain amount of time to outprocess; check with your S-1, or post transition center for details. But first thing you need to do is check with your supervisor(s).