How do I talk to my Commander about leaving the Unit?

2018-06-06T17:39:09-04:00

So after a break in service I went from ARNG to AD and in the process reclassed. I am doing poorly in my new field, lack trust from my first line as well as my soldiers, and have even been "fired" once. I feel like it's in my best future to revert back to my old MOS, which has an opening in my current BN. I would also like to join SFAB, and since it's been a bit since I did my old MOS, the change would get me back up to the level of proficiency needed to be an advisor.

I know the decision ultimately rests with BN. But if I can get the Commander to sign off on the 4187, that vastly increases my chances. I plan to use the open door policy to present my case. I'm just looking for some outside opinions on how I should go about it. I know officers generally only care about how things look on paper, regardless of the real world application is doing them a disservice. So my question is how do I go about convincing the Commander to willingly let someone leave his Company?

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jun 6 at 2018 5:53 PM

2018-06-06T17:53:58-04:00

SGM Erik Marquez MAJ James Woods My guess is that you approach the Commander in the manner of what's best for his unit and the Army. That is how you are going to have to sell it. You were successful prevously and the Army benefited and that is where you feel you need to be. If that is you going back to your old MOS where you can still serve in an effective way and be a solid soldier then let him know that. Let him know that you have given it your all and just can't get it and you feel that if you continue it won't be good for you, your soldiers, or the Army. Just my two cents but you probably need to hear from various folks here on RP especially Army types.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 6 at 2018 6:15 PM

2018-06-06T18:15:06-04:00

I would advice going through your 1SG first. He can lay out the process to the commander and be a gauge for how he/she reacts. That feedback will tell you a lot about what and where your course of action lies.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jun 6 at 2018 6:45 PM

2018-06-06T18:45:31-04:00

The Commander is going to look at what is best for the unit and the service. If you are not doing well, but did well previously, he/she will see that and act accordingly. I would state your case this way: " I feel like I am letting the unit down and not providing the most leadership value to the unit in this field. My previous MOS, of which there is an opening, I was able to provide much more positive results for the unit and service." Best of luck to you!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2018 9:40 PM

2018-06-06T21:40:33-04:00

It's possible the commander may want to keep you because of retention. Others have said to talk to your first sergeant and have that first sergeant sell the commander on the value of you switching. Your last resort is to wait for your enlistment to end and not reenlist. They're going to try over and over again to make you reenlist. That is the only way out if nothing else works.

Once you go into the inactive ready Reserve, the unit you want to be in will then pick you up and you will be where you want to be. In the meantime, use your educational benefits to get your bachelor's degree. You may be young enough to go to OCS and be an armor officer or whatever Branch you decide to choose. I used to be a specialist and I had my college degree and I went through the California Army National Guard and got my commission. I also had issues in armor. I had Branch transferred from military police to armor. There is no such thing as a dumbass tanker doing your TCGST was hard for me. Being an armor officer was a difficult experience if you did not know your fire commands very well. So not everybody can be a perfect fit in armor. Do your best while you are still in especially if you're stuck and you can't get out.

Try to volunteer for all schools you can take, try to get the best PT score you can and go in front of all your NCO boards. Try to be a model Soldier even if you were fired once. I was once fired by that same armored unit as the S1.

I was at the combat trains command post and I could not get a ride to Battalion staff meetings because the S4 was not there and I didn't have a vehicle. The executive officer said I can stay behind but the Battalion Commander fired me to make an example of me. He even brought up some stupid b.s. Chinese Tsun-zu metaphor for 'making me a sacrifice to instill discipline in the troops'. I was still able to make it to Captain because I was able to fight my referred officer evaluation Report with a good rebuttal showing the board that I was screwed over. I left the unit after being mobilized for stateside active duty, I then volunteered to go to the IDARNG to Iraq. I was and LNO there and did fine and later went into the IRR to join the USAR and go Civil Affairs. I then went to Afghanistan and did a tour there as a project officer.

I am now a Senior Major and I have completed CGSOC. Sometimes, you get bad Commanders and you learn how not to be like them when you go up the ranks. I read your other posts and all the advice given looks great. Hopefully, you get what you want.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2018 10:28 PM

2018-06-06T22:28:41-04:00

The decision is not actually your Commander's to make. In the NG the decision would have fallen on him. In the AD the decision rests on HRC strength management. Your Career Counselor has to process your reclass. Your commander has to sign your 4187, but whether or not he approves it, the 4187 is sent up with your request.
The Commander is NOT the decision authority in this instance, HRC is.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 3:18 AM

2018-06-07T03:18:21-04:00

Sgt Randolph; just because you having a bad start in your new mos, doesn't mean you should quit. How can you think that you are going to be successful in the SFAB program if you cannot figure out how to earn the trust of your current subordinates and superiors? This is wgat I would like to recommend to you. First; talk to your 1st line supervisor and ask on how you can improve. This is a time to learn and grow from your set backs. Read a good book about leadership. Read about your new mos, if you are failing on the technical aspects of the mos. Most important you do not quit. You must learn to overcome challenges!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2018 10:48 AM

2018-06-08T10:48:49-04:00

If you really want your CO to take this request seriously, I would recommend that you utilize the chain of command first. Talk to your platoon sergeant and get an appointment to see the 1SG. The 1SG will determine if you need to see the CO, and it is quite possible that he or she can get the paperwork pushed through the company and on to battalion for you. If that approach fails, then use the CO's open door policy.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 22 at 2021 12:46 PM

2021-01-22T12:46:29-05:00

That's...not how Active Duty works. You're going to have to get better at your job.