Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/5/2010

Question
I’ve been enlisted in the Air Force for about 9 years, with one year to go on this 4 year enlistment (my DOS is 2Feb11).  Last week, I received notification of orders to a base on the east coast to be an aircraft maintenance instructor.  Since the debut of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, my plan has been to separate at the end of my enlistment and finish my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.  The orders were tempting, but my heart just in the military anymore, so I turned them down on Monday.

While I was in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class today, I received a call from my supervisor.  He said that per the First Sergeant, since I turned down the orders, the Air Force was discharging me in 120 days.  Needless to say I was completely shocked.  I do not understand why I would not be able to complete the last 11 months of my enlistment, after honorably serving the military for the past 9 years.  Instead, my enlistment is nullified and I’m give the boot in 4 months?  I suppose my question is what regulation is used to justify this mandatory separation?  It would seem that if this were more known, that individuals looking to separate from the military would put in for orders just to receive an early discharge.

Answer
not sure of the exact regulation, but I know that if you turn down orders with out a substantial reason the can do what they are doing. Its in the PCS regulation that you can get on the E publishing website. You have to remember that the Air Force will move those who have been on station for 4 years or more. Your commander has to justify the reason you turned down the orders. Since you made it known that you are planning to separate, the commander more than likely recommended separating you early.