What do you remember about your out-processing from the military? Did you PCS many times before that?

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:03:07 -0400

I think everybody who has ever served in the military went through out-processing. First from initial training to someplace and many have gone through a permanent change of station (PCS) out-process. I remember as a young enlisted soldier counting the days down to the end of my first enlistment (4 years of days is a lot). I PCSed with out-processing many times while on active duty from 1974 through 1992. After that I took a USAR commission and didn't PCS; but, I out-processed many times after performing annual training (AT), temporary tours of active duty (TTAD) and mobilization.
Those of us who were in the military last century probably remember going around with a paper out-processing form and collecting initials as we turned in various items and cleared others.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 14 at 2015 3:08 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:08:21 -0400

I have out processed from mobilizations three times, each time given a DD214 and sent back to the Reserve unit. It always seems odd to me that I don't get a similar statement or process in the Reserves or National Guard. We shall see when I punch out of the Army Reserve for good next year.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 3:10 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:10:04 -0400

I still have some years to go but from what I've heard from friends of mine that have retired, that the last PCS/retirement move is the best. My friends have all told me that there is no other feeling like it. Of course they know they will miss the Military and becoming a civilian again might be a little imtimidating at first but they become adjusted really quick.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 14 at 2015 3:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:15:33 -0400

I out-processed many times. First as an enlisted combat engineer (12B) and then as a commissioned infantry officer in many Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves with a couple training en-route moves. I certainly remember going around trying to get initials on the out-processing form. When I was more junior with less responsibility it was easy as I gained more responsibility it was harder to break free to do the out-processing.
Once I transferred to the USAR I had no more PCS moves; but, I had about 30 out-process experiences after annual training (AT) periods, Temporary Tours of Active Duty (TTAD), and mobilization. I remember a feeling on anticipation during my active duty out-processing looking forward to the the duties at my next station. As a USAR officer I remember feeling satisfied while out-processing after a successful mission.
I have three DD-214, first one in November 1978 after finishing my initial enlistment while serving as a cadet at USMA, second DD-214 after being involuntarily removed from active duty in October 1992, and the last after being demobilized in May 2004 and 2 1/2 years of mobilization.
I was very sad when I was told I was not authorized to out-process when I transferred from the active reserves to the retired reserves. That was a lonely experience after the camaraderie of military service from November 1974 to May 2008.
SPC Private RallyPoint Member, LTC Stephen C., LTC John Shaw, GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", TSgt Hunter Logan, CW5 Charlie Poulton, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member, LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow, SGT Private RallyPoint Member, COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 14 at 2015 3:19 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:19:56 -0400

I remember the first time I was given forms and I had to go to each section on base and have someone initial the forms and then show to the final out briefing, you received your tickets and advance cash. When I retired in 2007 everything was done in 1 day when I turned in computer, phone, office keys etc. How times have changed. Now everything is electronic.

Response by CPL Eric Allen made Jul 14 at 2015 3:44 PM

CPL Eric Allen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:44:35 -0400

Free at last thank god I'm free at last

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 14 at 2015 4:05 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:05:53 -0400

I was one of those with the paper checklist. I did have a decent TAP class, and learned about filing for VA disability compensation, as well as a class for midgrade and senior officers on transitioning to business management. I felt my retirement process was absolutely smooth, but I retired before 9/11...

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 14 at 2015 4:21 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:21:56 -0400

LTC Stephen F. Well where do I begin, I went from Basic to AIT and then to my permanent duty station on active in cloudy Fort Ord, CA, from there I was rushed before the E-5 Board, promoted, received my second of six ARCOMs and handed orders to go to Europe (accompanied) for (3) years to a primo assignment at Chievres AFB, Belgium as part of a (14 member) Army Aviation Team that flew the SACEUR, GEN Alexander Haig. So, i quickly checked out of Fort word, CA hitting every office on post to clear, OCIE, the barracks, 1SG, Supply Sergeant, Company Commander, Battalion S-1, Brigade, and the list goes on. The page was full. I raced back to Illinois and got married immediately, so my orders would reflect that I was indeed married before reporting to Belgium in less than 20 days. I went and I in-processed (which is just as long as out processing in my opinion during an overseas duty station that required a COSMIC TOP Secret clearance along with all the badges to be able to access the deepest parts of SHAPE, Belgium or NAT Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Anyway, after three long fruitful years in Belgium I decided to get what they called and European Out and I PCS'd back to the United States as a civilian, and yes clearing SHAPE, Belgium and Chievres AFB, Belgium was about a three to four treat with furniture being turned back in, supply turn in, clearance check out, hand receipts cleared, and yes training my replacement, and sponsoring them at the same time. I immediately went into the Illinois National Guard and spent the next 22 years, had to in and out process for several missions into South America as a Medical Company Commander. When I transferred from the Guard to the Reserves I went to a G4, 75th Training Division slot with a nice budget and processed out of that Division to my first O-6 Brigade Command, which turned into an immediate deployment for the next 18 months for OIF 05-07 (lots of hand receipts and extra equipment (in processing and out-processing off active duty is just as fun, then I had to deactivate that Brigade (lots more fun ahead on that one) and then I got picked up to build a Brigade from a former 2-Star Command (89th RRC to 89th SUS BDE) and next four years were the best of my career. Retirement was much easier because I was Brigade Commander retiring out of my own Command, so everything was breeze and very easy. That is the end of my story

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jul 14 at 2015 4:45 PM

SFC Dennis Yancy — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:45:43 -0400

Out-processing going to one duty station to another was fairly easy. Leaving active duty I was treated like I was a private. Way I was treated made me know retirement was right thing to do.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 5:09 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:09:46 -0400

I regret not staying in and made a career what a big mistake I made but I made the best of it

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jul 14 at 2015 6:35 PM

SPC Jeffrey Bly — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:35:05 -0400

I chose wrong. I initially served one state side tour ending in 1988. I re-enlisted in the New York State Army National Guard (Troy, NY) in August of 2000 and ended up participating in 9/11 before I out processed. I was going to re-up before 9/11, but after I saw what I saw, I decided to get out.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 14 at 2015 8:37 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 20:37:19 -0400

The moment I most remember was being taken into a room with two officers (one superior to me) and being instructed on my travel limitations which were being imposed because of my handling of highly classified information while serving as the Operations Officer of a Strategic Communications Center. Basically, I was told that I would never be allowed to resign my commission so that they could reactivate me if I insisted on travelling somewhere they didn't want me to go (and thereby I would be subject to UCMJ if I failed to obey). Well, it didn't bother me inasmuch as my travel plans didn't include any of those places. However, after eight years on the inactive reserves I was told to go to Point Magu for a physical (required of all inactive officers every 8 years). What were they going to do if I failed? Discharge me? Highly unlikely given the reasons for keeping me in the inactive reserves. Thus, I delayed until the third threatening letter and then went. However, when I arrived the medical facility was too busy with a surprise inspection to take me and I was told to come back. Right. Three more threatening letters arrived. The fourth threatened discharge if I failed t to comply. Right. Then came the discharge. Honorable. Really? I wonder what they would do not if I decided to go somewhere they didn't want me to go. Hmm....

Response by SFC Kevin Presser made Jul 14 at 2015 11:23 PM

SFC Kevin Presser — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 23:23:01 -0400

I retired 20 years ago. Standard out processing in Grafenwoehr, Germany then retirement processing at Ft Jackson. As a senior NCO, I was told I did not have to be in uniform, and every office I went to for retirement out processing I was sent to the head of the line. All the personnel involved were extremely professional and genuine in thanking me for my 20 years of active duty. Best experience I had, going out on a high note.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 15 at 2015 12:24 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:24:39 -0400

I retired from active duty Navy, so I didn't have to turn anything in. But my out processing was pretty intense still. I mostly remember all the paperwork I had to submit to extend my enlistment to meet 20 years of service and getting "read out" because I held/hold a security clearance. After that was mostly walking around with a paper checkout sheet and getting people to sign it, and have to talk to the more senior people (like my Command Master Chief, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer) about what my plans for life after retirement was, did I have a job, place to live, was I going to use my Post 9/11 GI Bill, etc., etc., etc.

Response by SGT Edward Thomas made Jul 16 at 2015 8:56 PM

SGT Edward Thomas — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 20:56:48 -0400

I remember my ETS physical. When I walked in, the Dr said I see you can read and can walk. You're done at this station.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 16 at 2015 10:06 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 22:06:36 -0400

LTC Stephen F., the first time I out-processed was in 1970. What I remember most was the everyone wanted X copies of your orders. I learned quickly that if someone wanted 14.5 copies, you better give them exactly what they wanted or you'd never get off post!

Response by SGT Gregory Reilly made Sep 6 at 2015 1:03 AM

SGT Gregory Reilly — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 01:03:51 -0400

My retirement out - process was by far the worst experience of my career. I was medically discharged after 19 years and 10 months. I had a combination of war time injuries and I had developed diabeties. I fully understand the reasoning. It was quick. 1 month from time of noticed to being retired. However my unit simply dropped me. I was told by my unit they didn't have to do anything as the retirement would be so quick. So they elected not to. No retirement ceremony, my supervisor was told not to do a final award package and I ended up getting my grey card from another unit. I loved serving but after 20 years felt severly cheated. Of course I'll always have fond memories of my service but it's tough to get the taste of my retirement out of my mouth. Nothing like receiving all your paperwork 6 months later in a box from Texas.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 6 at 2015 1:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 13:57:51 -0400

I PCS'd 9 times in 21 years. We need to reduce PCSing and allow families to experience some semblance of stability.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Sep 28 at 2015 10:36 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:36:32 -0400

My only complaint was that it wasn't fast enough.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 27 at 2015 1:03 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:03:13 -0400

LTC Stephen F. It was simple each time no hassle at all.Retirement was even easier,I had very good Admin.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Oct 27 at 2015 1:05 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:05:22 -0400

Mustering out after Vietnam was a real mess. Everything happened so fast that it made my head spin. Too bad I didn't have sense enough to pay more attention to what I was signing. They just kept saying "sign here Sarge: and like a fool, I did and I had no idea what the hell I was signing. I was just too freaking young.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 1:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:40:02 -0400

Outprocessing from Germany was painful...from CIF to off post housing to vehicle & household goods shipments. ETS outprocessing from FT Hood was blindingly fast...so much so that there was no transition counseling & the zinger courtesy of the Finance office that I owed $1344 because they never collected it over the previous 4 years was quite the shock.

I have interstate-transferred in the National Guard from Florida to Washington and from Washington to Oregon. Other than the usual paperwork snafus and having to ask people to do their jobs, they were both fairly smooth.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 27 at 2015 11:21 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:21:49 -0400

Officers were listed as having an "Indefinite" term of duty when I was in, and I only had 3 PCS assignments in the five years I was in. I don't remember much about out-processing except that it involved a physical exam and signing a lot of papers.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 30 at 2016 3:10 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:10:12 -0400

I have two out- processing stories the first from Vietnam getting a45 day drop to go back to Fort Polk La. as a patrolling instructor all one needed was to chuck that hated rucksack into the trash pit turn in my M piece of trash 16 and be on the Huey pad for the trip to the Airforce base easy peasy,next was Fort Polk 14 months later and as was mentioned earlier took three days with clip board chasing various personnel for their all important initials sorry I rushed that last part as I had some tater issues that could have been dealt with