Will I not be able to retire unless I make Sergeant Major? QMP?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 May 2019 15:36:40 -0400

- I spent 8 years in the Guard before transitioning to active, I have been active duty for 1 year.
-I am not sure how my 8 years translates to active duty retirement time, but I assume it is only worth between a year or two. (Is it based on the adjusted BASD I now have?)

From what I understand, if you spend too much time as a certain rank, you will be QMP and possibly separated, so I may not be able to hit 20 years and retire if I already have 8 years of service/rank but only 1 or 2 of retirement.
So for me to hit 20 years of retirement points, I would need to fulfill around a 26-28 year service obligation, which I think would require me to be a 1SGT or SGM to not be kicked out and be allowed to continue.

EDIT: (Here is some information in response to CPT Goodman below, but it should give more perspective on my career/ education)

I appreciate the offer for advice, I desperately need it, I find I really struggle in understanding a lot of the structure of the higher education system (especially Transfering credits between schools)

I have 69 credits, towards an AS degree in Cybersecurity, but I ran into an incredibly annoying obstacle that prevented me from completing it. My degree plan with my community college back in Florida requires me to do an Internship, once I complete that they should give me my AS degree in Cybersecurity. Its just that doing a Cybersecurity internship seems impossible with my active duty workload, and actually attaining one has proven challenging.

Also, I transferred my 69 credits from Saint Petersburg College to El Paso Community College, and only 40 of them count towards their Cybersecurity degree! So that is an unfortunate option of letting those 29 credits go to waste, but it is one of my options.

College GPA so far is just over 3.0

Specific coursework with actual course titles: I did an Android App development course online through Udacity, and Id say Mobile App Development is a big interest of mine and after getting my AS degree, I would like to focus specifically in mobile Application/Web Development.

I made a pretty aesthetic Android Inventory App that was applicable to the BII of the M119A2/3 , and M777A2 Howitzers and customize-able to other items needed to be tracked as well. I think it would be fun to work on an Army related app as a hobby while in the Army.

I volunteered at a BOSS Event yesterday where I spent some time talking to the faculty staff of the college(Southwest University) that hosted the event, they have an Apple/Android/Web program that they offer, and I told them about the situation and they said they would be willing to help with the internship so I can finish my degree at my previous school and then take their course. They should be contacting me next week, but at the same time, I am wary of school faculty as my previous college did not make it clear that Id have to find an internship to finish the AS Degree from Florida.

Other Factors:
-I love the Army, and my Unit
-I'm decent at PT and other promotion board Metrics, and not prone to getting injured or medical problems that would give me a Permanent Profile, I intend to be fit and not sham out of PT like my colleagues.

-GT Score is 125
- I was interested in going to SF selection until I learned my unit is receiving the brand new Self-Propelled Howitzer, straight off the assembly line, and I don't want to miss out on that amazing opportunity to be a section Chief of a Paladin M109A7.

-I'm partially color blind, which doesn't have a noticeable impact to myself in accomplishing tasks, but I believe it disqualifies me from many other MOS or Opportunities.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 19 at 2019 3:46 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 19 May 2019 15:46:06 -0400

I could be wrong, I know, however, I've always understand that if you did valid retirement Guard years they count as actual years, as.I said I might well be wrong...elavorate, if you can, aassiciares, bachelors, grad work if any, grades, GPAs, specific coursework with actual course titles, STEM coursework you've done...might you want a try for warrant at all as well? Possibly go intersvc? I'm only asking to explore possibilities, I never went Guard or Reserve, so, as I said, I could be wrong...you could ask NGB, I'm sure they'd know, maybe call DFAS and ask their staff how Guard time translates if you've got 8 yrs valid as you'd said...I just found your question of interest, I was curious what other ambitions you might have as well, what other training, what school, I have an interest in career/educ stuff, that's why I ask, no rusn, whenever you'd have time, if you'd care to chat, ok?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 19 at 2019 3:46 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 19 May 2019 15:46:34 -0400

Sorry, typo, understood...clumsy tablet....

Response by LTC John Mohor made May 19 at 2019 3:51 PM

LTC John Mohor — Sun, 19 May 2019 15:51:18 -0400

SGT Nick Holmes as long as those 8 years were good years they count toward a Reserve retirement. Only 12-121/2 years left to get your 20 year letter. Now that you’re active last I heard the average rank Of Army NCOs at retirement was SFC E-7. I’ve met AC NCOs that retired at E-6. Just do you’re absolute best. You could easily get into the Warrant Officer ranks and change your status and years required that way. Don’t forget to look into other MOS opportunities throughout your career. Maybe getting into target acquisition could lead to a Warrant opportunity? Best of luck and remember there’s no guarantees in life! All we can do is take it each day as it comes and prepare to do our best each and every day

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 4:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 May 2019 16:53:29 -0400

Your time in the guard doesn't transfer at all for your time in service. Only the time that you were active in the guard, such as annual training, basic training, deployments,
,
and AIT, will count toward your time in service.
Qmp which is qualitative Management program, is only for negative referrals. If you are a Staff Sergeant or higher and you receive an Article 15, or a bad ncoer, you would be referred to a qmp board.
Qsp is a board that is sometimes ran for specific MOS and rank when they become severely over strength. There has not been a qsp board in several years, not since we were reducing the force by tens of thousands.
You may be thinking of RCP which is retention control point. The retention control point for an E6 is 20 years of active service, which means you will need to be a staff sergeant in order to retire on active duty. Retirement points are not a contributing factor for an active-duty retirement

Response by 1SG Eddie Smith made May 20 at 2019 1:36 PM

1SG Eddie Smith — Mon, 20 May 2019 13:36:49 -0400

Only your active duty time during your 8 years in the NG counts toward an active duty retirement. Your active duty pay is completely a different matter. i.e. when you pin on E-6 you will get paid as an E-6 with 8 years of military service, this does not mean 8 years of active duty service. Time in grade and time in active duty status counts toward RCP/QMP.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made May 21 at 2019 9:44 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Tue, 21 May 2019 21:44:23 -0400

Very few soldiers...make Sgt Major.....they are special people indeed....my friend is 60 years 3 months and a Sgt and he is still in the Reserves...has 23 good years. Each case is different....just keep racking up those points...