Expert: Rod Powers - 4/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: Rod, I am a commisioned officer and served my 8 yrs commitment finishing it up in 98' i stayed in the NG until 07' then transferred to the IRR. I was sent a Military Service Obligation form AHRC-4145, that had 4 choices on it (1) find reserve unit (2) stay in IRR at the will of the Army (3)resign under chap 6 sect 3 AR 135-175 (4) file for 20 yr retirement.

I elected (1) find a reserve unit. I have not found a unit that plans on staying CONUS to go to and most likely won't find one. Whats my obligation here? Do i have to resign to prevent getting MOB'd out of the IRR? If i resign using the MSO sheet selection (3) does that mean i am completely devoid of my commision never to be an officer in the event i want to rejoin?
ANSWER: Hi Steve,

I'm afraid I need a little more information. Were you commissioned on active duty? After your active duty commitment, did you then join the NG? (If so, you obligated yourself to an additional six years of commitment).

If you resign your commission, your chances of ever rejoining any military service as a commissioned officer is slim.....very slim....

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Rod,

I was commisioned through ROTC as USAR officer entering the NG after my Officer basic course in 1990. Commissoned MAY 1990 went to officer basic for 4 months then joined a NG unit fall 1990.

I have been a drilling soldier ever since. Electing to go in ING in 2004. Since then i have been in the ING for 1 year then 1 year IRR. Which brings me to the present time. Over all i have been commisiosned officer for 16 to 17 years. Presently am a CPT/0-3. On point basis i have 13 good years to retirement. Which if resign will mean nothing other than just a really great experience met some good friends and have some very good OER's.

Whats your opinion? Will a resignation be accepted? Have i fulfilled my obligation from the point of contractual service?

Answer
Hi,

Gads, I hate it when people as my "opinion." If you resign your commission now, you lose your retirement eligibility. If you stay in, you run the risk of being recalled to active duty and deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

I can't help you with this. Only you can decide whether or not a possible future retirement pay is worth the risk.

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com