Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/getting released from active duty

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Expert: Rod Powers - 5/8/2007


Question
Hello Sir,
I am a Navy Nurse Corps officer.  I was commissioned in May 2003 out of ROTC.  My obligation is 4yrs active, 4 yrs inactive reserves.  My active time will therefore be up in June of this year.  A month ago, I submitted a request for release from active duty through my chain of command.  I asked to be released in December of this year.
 I recieved an email today saying that the command is "recommending dissaproval" of my RAD request.  They are forwarding it up to NavPers, though.  My command is saying that they have a "rule" that you have to be at the command for two years before you can RAD.  Since I reported to my current command in June 2006, my two years won't be up until June of 2008.  My PRD is June 2009.  I didn't sign anything extending my length of service.  Can they really make me stay in until June of next year?  They can't make me stay until my PRD can they?  What are my options?  Can I resign my commission?  Is there anywhere else I can take my request if Nav Pers disapproves it?  One more question.  If I have no other options, and I have to stay in until June 2008, do I need to then submit another RAD request asking to get out in June of 2008 or will that happen automatically because I already put in a RAD request?  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Erica,

I'm afraid your command is correct. There are certain factors which will add to an officer's obligated active duty service (OBSLISERV), including assignments, attendence at schools, or promotions. Assignment obligated service for officers is covered in The Navy Personnel Manual, Section 1301-1308 (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyregs/p/navpers15560.htm).

I'm afraid the same manual prohibits approval of voluntary officer resignations, if they have remaining obligated service, due to assignment (Section 1920 - 200).

If your RAD request is disapproved (which I think it probably will be), you'll have to submit a new one, listing a requested separation date beyond your obligated active duty service date.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com

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

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Rod Powers

Expertise

Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.

Experience

Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.

Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).

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