What are the options to resigning a commission and enlisting?

Maj Neil Radulski — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:40:10 -0500

I'm a terminal AF major 17D cyber operations type (43 years old) in the IRR who is going back on duty in the Selected Reserve as an IMA this month. I'm also in sanctuary with a mandatory separation date of 1 June 2021 and have been passed over for O-5 several times (love how they board you in the IRR :D).

I'd like to continue serving. I researched extension to MSDs in AF Reserve-that seems like a low odds option.

Would it be possible for me to enlist in AD USAF? If so, any suggestions on how to go about doing it?

If I'm able to do it, I've read that I could retire with my O4 grade if I hit 20 years AD. Does that sound right?

Also, if there's another option to serve past 2021, please share!

Thanks!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 3:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:50:13 -0500

Go for it.

Response by CPT Daniel Cox made Mar 4 at 2020 5:16 PM

CPT Daniel Cox — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 17:16:47 -0500

In the old days (the 1980s) an officer who was passed over for promotion could only go back to enlisted status (so they could retire at their highest rank) only if they had previously been enlisted.
In Korea, as a 1st Lieutenant Battalion S-2, I had a Staff Sergeant (E6) Intel NCO who a few months previously had been a Major working as the Division S-2.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 4 at 2020 6:28 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 18:28:21 -0500

If I had wanted, they would have let me go back enlisted in the Navy. Only because I was prior enlisted. Not sure if that is true today. Why not lat xfer into something else, or another service? It isn't like cyber ops are going the way of the dodo... Space Force, Army, Cyber Command, Navy...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 6:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 18:42:56 -0500

I would suggest enlisting in the Army or a direct Commission or enlistment into the Army Reserve or NG.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 4 at 2020 7:06 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 19:06:45 -0500

I’m not clear if you have your 20 as a reserve officer. If you do, then I suggest you find another way to serve. First look for a Federal government job. At your age you could do 20 years as a GS. Continue to serve the nation and build a good retirement benefit. Your military training and experience in IT should make you eligible for lots of good paying civil service jobs.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Mar 5 at 2020 8:38 AM

MSG Gary Eckert — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 08:38:27 -0500

I don't think there is anyway for you to serve beyond 2021 since you are being held on active duty in sanctuary status to allow for your retirement. Once retired, you cannot (re)enlist back into military service. If you have previous enlisted time and you do not have 10 years of active federal commissioned service you will be retired at you highest enlisted grade (I believe your retirement will be computed based on your high three although there are a lot of factors including when you first served that come in to play for that calculation). Once your retired reserve time and your active federal service equal thirty years, so basically ten years after you retire, you may request advancement on the retired list to your highest commissioned rank.