Expert: John L - 8/1/2009

Question
Good morning Sir
I am an E-5 in the Air National Guard, enlisted in 1999,  had a small break in service in 2007 before re-entering service.  I am now in the middle of my enlistment and due to several circumstances, I am no longer interested in being enlisted.  As you can see I am not a first-term Airman, I'm actually on my fourth enlistment (initial and a reenlistment, enlistment back into service after a short break on a 1-year deal, reenlistment again).  I have kept the same AFSC the entire time, am actually in an overage slot, never used any education money, and the last school the Air Force spent money on me for was 7-level, back in September 2007.  I think that covers everything, and my question to you is "what are my options?"  Is it possible to resign?  Is it possible to request a transfer to IRR?  I have heard, of course, that once you're no longer a first term Airman, you can walk away any time, regardless of enlistment contract...but I'm not going into my First Sergeant's office and telling him that

Thank you for you time, and thank you for serving
-ANG SSgt

Answer
You can't walk out any time, you have a contract in place.  You can request a discharge, if your slot is overfull, maybe they will oblige.  The AG does some funny stuff when it comes to this,  Just be honest with your leadership and they may be able to work with you.  Not many options, the only one is request to go ING for a year and do not return.  ING is liek the IRR for the Guard.  If you fdo not return, they will discharge you, but you can still be activated for deployment while in the ING.