What might happen if my ETS date is close to my unit's deployment date?

2019-04-04T22:50:32-04:00

So I might be deploying a little later in the year. My deros date is in December. Will they force me to extend past my ets date or let me be on rear d and get out? Or possibly will they let me get out up to 90 days early? Just confused because I havent been given any details whatsoever. Thanks a bunch.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 4 at 2019 10:52 PM

2019-04-04T22:52:32-04:00

It depends on if you are hit with a Stop Loss. If you are hit with a stop loss, your contract will be extended. If not, then you'll probably just be placed on Rear-D. At least that was the solution my last unit did ahead of our deployment in 2006.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2019 11:04 PM

2019-04-04T23:04:20-04:00

Chances are you won't deploy. If there is any doubt, talk with your S1. Stop Loss doesn't happen anymore.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 4 at 2019 11:04 PM

2019-04-04T23:04:58-04:00

I cannot answer your question but can tell you posting the unit, date, and deploying location on a social media site is a big opsec violation. You can ask the question without giving those details.

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 4 at 2019 11:10 PM

2019-04-04T23:10:36-04:00

In The Dark Ages... Once The SM Was 180 Days From DROS/ETS/Retirement, they went into A Non-deployable Status... You May Be required To Assist In Out Load up to 90 out And At 90 Days It was Out Processing But That Was In The Old Days,,, When Some Common Since Was Applied ...

Response by SSG Brian G. made Apr 4 at 2019 11:41 PM

2019-04-04T23:41:12-04:00

Crap dude. OPSEC. You do realize that this is an open site that anyone can join right? You just told whoever might be watching your unit locations, approximate timeframe and where they are deploying to.

As to an answer, that cannot be answered here, not with any certainty. Get with your retention NCO.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2019 11:47 PM

2019-04-04T23:47:51-04:00

They'll ask you to reup to deploy or keep you in rear d until you go on terminal leave.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2019 12:43 AM

2019-04-05T00:43:05-04:00

You can't be forced to extend your ETS date. You'll watch your friends and brothers deploy, your DEROS will be adjusted to 3 days prior to your ETS and you will separate. If any members of your squad die you will probably carry some small amount of guilt with you for a long time, as well.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2019 1:24 AM

2019-04-05T01:24:09-04:00

It used to be that if you ha less than 1 year remaining TIS you were considered non-deployable. I see the 220-1 has changed since I last did the USR.

DA PAM 220-1 dtd Nov 2011
5–4. Determining and reporting the available strength
a. General.
(9) When directed by headquarters at higher levels, the number of Soldiers that are pending separation will be reported in personnel status remarks. While “Pending ETS” is no longer a valid reason for non availability and there is no reason code for “Pending ETS” in the CUSR, a Soldier who has begun transition leave and who will not be recalled to the unit by the commander before the termination of service will be reported as “not available” under personnel availability code “LS.” See table 5–1, note 14.

Source: https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/p220_1.pdf

p220_1.pdf

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2019 1:24 AM

2019-04-05T01:24:30-04:00

Aside from the OPSEC foul-up you just made, the answer to the best of my understanding is this:

It all comes down to unit needs. If they NEED you, the commander cam Stop-Loss you. You'll deploy, come back and clear. If they can get by without you, then you'll go on Rear-D during deployment prep and clear from there.

Response by SFC(P) Jonathan P. made Apr 5 at 2019 7:10 AM

2019-04-05T07:10:53-04:00

Ultimately form what I have seen you can choose to extend if you want to go on deployment. If not then you would stay in the rear or eta prior to. If you been in for a while and haven’t deployed, my suggestion is extend and take the tour. It’s just more perks on your belt and also experience. You get to do your job in real life.

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Apr 5 at 2019 9:35 AM

2019-04-05T09:35:24-04:00

They left me behind, but due to optempo I had 91 days of transition leave, so I got out before deployment with minimal time on Rear D. By the way, if you have more than 90 days on Rear D, I would go ahead and extend to deploy, because every unit I've been in, Rear D is the worst, most stupid experience of life, while down range was far more interesting with far less bovine scatology.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2019 10:19 AM

2019-04-05T10:19:46-04:00

I dont know about active but in the guard/reserves, they will ask you if you want to extend your ETS to after the deployment, (6 mo, 1 year extension, etc.) and you can either say, I want to go, or I dont want to go at that point. if you dont go you will be on rear D until you ETS.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 5 at 2019 1:28 PM

2019-04-05T13:28:01-04:00

have fun deploying!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2019 4:03 PM

2019-04-08T16:03:35-04:00

the old program was called stop loss. the army still does it but calls it something else.

Response by SGT Luis San Roman Jr made Apr 8 at 2019 4:08 PM

2019-04-08T16:08:42-04:00

When it comes to being stationed overseas. I have personally seen DEROS dates adjusted and ETS dates postponed to meet the units mission. Despite what anyone tells you, your best bet like what some have already told you, go talk to your retention. The Army has things like involuntary extension for a reason so your career or whats left of it us in your hands.

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Apr 8 at 2019 4:13 PM

2019-04-08T16:13:03-04:00

They cannot force you to extend your ets date however under certain circumstances you could be Stop Lossed. But that hasn't been done in a long time.

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Apr 8 at 2019 7:44 PM

2019-04-08T19:44:23-04:00

Unless you have a solid plan (e.g. starting college) I would extend and deploy.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2019 7:46 PM

2019-04-08T19:46:40-04:00

You will probably be switched out with another Soldier from different unit on your post so you can ETS on time. I am not tracking any DOD directed stop loss policies at this time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2019 7:55 PM

2019-04-08T19:55:14-04:00

The good news is that you did provide the 5W(s), so OPSEC is not an issue. DON'T feel guilty about getting out of the Army. If you finished your enlistment and want to return to civilian life, that is fine. There are plenty of Soldiers who will want to deploy. I can't believe some of the hateful comments I read in regards to you feeling guilty if some members of your squad die. Train to exceed the standard up to your last day in the Army. You will go on a deployment if required.

Response by SGT Roland McHoes made Apr 8 at 2019 8:47 PM

2019-04-08T20:47:58-04:00

Personally, I'd extend for the deployment, they're not that bad. You'll make some memories, learn new things, have some fun, and then ETS with a fat bank account when you get back.

Response by 2LT Earl Dean made Apr 10 at 2019 8:34 PM

2019-04-10T20:34:42-04:00

They could use stop gap. But have not heard anything about that lately so you may be good. Ask the UA if they know anything about it

Response by SSG Eagle Tovar made May 13 at 2019 3:01 PM

2019-05-13T15:01:50-04:00

I don't know the answer to your question...but let me tell you what you might have accomplished by your post.
In 2004, I got a call from my son, a Marine who had been stationed at Kaneohe Bay, HI. He was at that time an Artilleryman. In September of that year, he stopped calling us. We then got a call and it was brief...he told me that he would not be in touch for a while. I knew what that meant--and believe me, it's something no parent wants to hear--even one that was a career Army NCO.
Later on, his unit's guns would fire the first rounds into Fallujah in the battle to retake the city.

Here's my point...they were alolowed to make one phone call to their families, prior to their SP time. One Marine shot his mouth off over the phone, and gave details.
When they crossed the LD into Iraq, my son saw four of his close friends blown to crap--KILLED--by an IED attack with a subsequent ambush....all because someone could not keep his mouth shut.

Later in the same convoy they had to slow to detour around obstacles. He looked over the side of the vehicle he was in and saw six 155 rounds daisy chained right next to his truck. It failed to ignite--which is why he's now a career Marine NCO, instead of me being a Gold Star dad.
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT, TROOP.

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made May 28 at 2019 8:40 PM

2019-05-28T20:40:59-04:00

If there's no *Stop Loss in effect, they may offer / negotiate for you to extend or "ReUp."