Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Return from Temporary Retirement

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/15/2009


Question
I was placed on TDRL and now have been found fit to return to duty.  Prior to my temporary retirement, I was selected to be commissioned from a Chief Petty Officer to an Ensign but the promotion was placed in abeyance due to my illness.  I never turned down the commission. Now that I am to return to duty, am I entitled to my commission to Ensign and or, should I be reinstated as a Chief and then promoted to Senior Chief.  Thanks.

Answer
Angelo,
Congratulations on your promotion.  As you stated, your promotion was HIA, not cancelled.

That's the beauty of a TDRL, you're just set aside in a "holding pen" until your medical problems have cleared.  Thankfully you're OK now so everything goes back to the way it was and they won't need to permanently retire you.  You will be reenlisted at the grade you held on the day preceding the date you were placed on the TDRL.  If you had a line number for Senior Chief and your line number came up while you were on the TDRL, you'll be promoted to Senior Chief and then begin your officer training.  You should receive an OCS class start date soon (or whatever was in the works for your promotion to Ensign.)

Thanks for serving!
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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