Why does QMP message say soldier has 7 months to get out but it's actually 6 or less by time of notification?

Sergeant, sorry to hear of your predicament. It seems like you're at the end of the "appeal" process and you need to make final arrangements.

I would suggest that you find a way to transfer to the Reserves so that you can continue to earn toward your retirement. I wouldn't want to waste 11 years of active duty points. Even if you earned minimal Reserve points, your pension would be double mine.

Don't discount this.

Tell them you're transsexual. The ask that the BF% be recalculated under female standards. If that doesn't work, tell them they're bigots. They'll back down.

We flag Soldiers for stupid sh*t like this as if it is going to motivate them. Can the SM do the job? If yes, they stay.

I'm sorry to hear that SSG Santana. That's part of the Army that I don't miss at all. Although I wasn't in your predicament, I can offer a few recommendations.

First, file for VA disability for whatever medical, including psychological, conditions you've been treated for during your 11 years of service. If you've ignored taking care of your medical conditions, now is the time to rectify that. Even if active duty medical personnel don't feel compelled to treat your symptoms in a way you deem appropriate, you're still considered presumptive for issues that arise within 12 months after your separation. Make sure your symptoms (knee pain, back pain, depression, anxiety, headaches, acid reflux, etc.,) are documented in your medical record before you leave the service.

I didn't have the GI Bill offered back in 1978 when I enlisted. I entered between the old GI Bill and the new one. Anyway, after being found with 20% va service-connected disability, the va agreed to pay my way through college. I received an associated and bachelors via Vocational Rehabilitation. Then I earned a Masters, but the VA paid for that. Under VOC REHAB, the VA not only pays for the college tuition, books, paper, pencils, calculators, computer software, etc., they also pay us to go to school. The amount you receive depends on the amount of hours you attend and how many dependents you have.

Next, don't expect employers or anyone else to give you anything for your service. I retired an SFC in 2000 with many years of experience, but without the degrees it didn't matter. They want all the perks of military service (on time, hard worker, dependable, disciplined, etc.,) but they aren't paying extra for those traits and characteristics. Keep your head up and drive on. Keep going to school no matter what!

Last, never give up!! I admit, it was hard working full time, being a husband, father, homeowner, and student, but I did it. If I can (and millions of others do it all the time), so can you my brother!

God bless you and your family!!

I am sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately this is what the Army is going through now as we continue to downsize. I was passed over for promotion to Major in 1995 totally unexpected so I had to find a new civilian career. Here is my advice. I don't think you have to take the leave and can sell that back to the government. That would give you those two additional months of looking for a career. You would also have that little nest egg to help you when the time is up. Second, I would start looking for a job right away and I would tell you to expand your horizons to consider things you may not have thought about before. I went back to Chicago from Alaska with no job and ended up working for Hertz Rent a Car as a manager. My leadership experience led to me getting promoted to the next level of management over more senior managers only 7 months later. When I left there 11 years later to work for the Army, I was the number two person at one of the company's largest operations. Spend your remaining time wisely. I will end by saying that you may be torn for the last few months between your duties to the Army and the transition. The transition has to be your number one priority so make sure you have good balance.

The RE-4 is easier to get waivered with the National Guard. Each state is different, but my Career Counselors told me that is the best route for QMP Soldiers that want to continue to serve. Find a National Guard recruiter in the state you are going to reside in. You do get discharged before you can submitted for the waiver though, but it queued up and ready to go.

Are you in the same grade as you were when you were not in compliance with 600-9 3 years ago. The 4 block at the bottom of that NCOER would do it. You fall right into what QMP was designed to do. It's not what ya want to hear, but it is what the mandate is? I too am sorry to hear that you were picked to be separated. You were given some advise about possibly the reserves. It's worth a shot. If you crossed over you could MOB and earn active retirement as well. So it is still possible to get to retirement, it just might take longer than you expected. Good luck as you transition.

Use the G.I. Bill and please go to school. Try to focus on a 21st century career will not end a dead-end.

Sergeant,
Make sure you are doing the Soldier for life ACAP mandatory program. It is a lengthy process and with only four months left in the Army your time is very short to accomplish everything in the program. With that being said you also have your CIF, medical physical and everything else in the clearing process that you have to do to reenter the civilian world. BLUF: you do not have much time for anything else, but taking care of you. At this point it is all about you. Your unit should not be counting on you to work all day and expect you to accomplish everything you need to do for yourself on your personal time.

1SG Thomas W. Graham

Yet another reason why 600-9 is a piece of crap. A length of plastic should not be the measurement of what makes a good soldier.