Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 1/24/2010

Question
Hello Sir,
We returned from Iraq in May of 09 and in October the AKO website had a new duty station available on the requisitions page. It said nothing about extending my contract, so I requested it thinking I could spend the remaining 1 yr, 2-4 months closer to family.  In December, my 1SG told me I got the position, so I promptly called my family to inform them. The next day, my retention NCO came to me and said in order to take the duty, I had to reenlist 1 extra year.  I declined.  Now my Squad leader says I need to sign a Dec Statement, or they will arbitrarily extend my contract and send me to the new duty station.  I am in my fisrt term, do I need to sign?

Thank you.

Answer
Your problem is that you are so close to ETSing that the Army is saying it isnt cost effective to move you to the new duty station and then train you for your new position.  If you want the job and all of that I would either reenlist or be resigned to finishing your time in the service at your current duty position. Your battalion should have a career counselor (reenlistment) and they can help you with the specific issues as far as time to PCS and the like.