If you were allowed to request a retirement date 24 months prior in order to stabilize your family would you take advantage of this option?

1SG DeyShuan Shepherd — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 20:08:56 -0500

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 14 at 2013 9:59 AM

SFC James Baber — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 09:59:16 -0500

If that had been available in the past, I would have possibly retired a few more years earlier than I did, don't get me wrong I loved my job and my units, but it would have better prepared me and my family for the transition. It would have also helped me better with networking for the a smoother transition into a new job and career for my future and continued support for my family instead of the short 4 months I was given by DA because I didn't want to take another assignment that would have given me another combat deployment to go with the previous 9.

I think many current SMs would jump on this in a heartbeat. Good question, thanks for posting.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 14 at 2013 1:46 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 13:46:22 -0500

Personally, yes, I would love to submit retirement 24-months from retirement date (but it would depend on where I was currently stationed).

For the unit and it's leadership, this is a HORRIBLE idea.

We all know some ROAD (Retired on Active Duty) status NCOs that submit retirement within 12-months (and they've earned it), BUT could you imagine ROAD NCOs for 2 years? Too much time in my option.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2013 3:55 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 15:55:27 -0500

Isn't that what we do by requesting specific duty stations at 16 years TIS with a promise of a CONUS assignment that reaches mid-point at 19 years and allows us to update our home of record?<br><br>I have all the respect in the world for everyone who puts in 20 years of dedicated service.  However, a lot of people run into a wall around 18 years where they know they won't see SFC/MSG due to their past performance and they still have to put in 830 days to get 50% of their base-pay until they die.  FIGMO mode kicks in the moment the retirement packet is handed in.<br>

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2014 11:41 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 May 2014 11:41:08 -0400

I like the idea. A Soldier could get orders to move or stay on a location. The limits need to be as follows.
1. Best intrest of the Army, Meaning if the location you want is over on your MOS sorry.
2. Has to be a location for your MOS, meaning (Fort McCoy)for example dosent need 12 series.
3. When you drop that paperwork no turning back unless approved by HQDA and only for deployment or extreamly high priority assignments. 90 days after return, Soldier must be retired.
The Soldier will expected to perform all duties to standard and if not proper corrective actions should be given.