Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/16/2007

Question
I joined the army (reserve)in 1987 as a PV1.  Over the years I spent drilling in both the reserves and the arng.  I took a two year break in service then came back into the army as a commissioned army nurse (2002/dec).  it is now 2007 and I want to resign my commission.  can i do this without any strings attatched?  what are my obligations still the army?  I am now a mother to a two year old and trying for my second child.

Answer
Dear April --

Since I do not have the details of your re-enlistment contract as an Army nurse, I cannot tell you what obligations remain on that contract.  Generally a commissioned officer signs on for a minimum of 8 years.  Those 8 years are served in some combination of active, reserve, or individual ready reserve status.  Since you came in in 2002, you probably still owe about three years.  

However, since you came in as a nurse, and paid for your own education, you may have received special consideration and owe less time.  You should get your contract out and read it very carefully.  You should find the details of the time you owe based on your agreement to enter the Army as a nurse.  If your time is complete, you may resign your commission with no strings attached.  If not, you still owe time.  You can request a release from service for compelling family reasons, but the Army is not obligated to grant your release.  

One caution, if you still owe time, and ask to be released from service, you may call unwanted attention to yourself and suddenly receive deployment orders rather than separation papers.  Be very cautious, if the reason you want to resign is that you do not wish to deploy.  I am uncertain why you have not been called yet, but perhaps there have been sufficient numbers of nurses volunteering for deployment.

One final thought, on the surface it appears that you have 18 constructive years of service in the Reserve and National Guard.  With two more constructive years, you will be eligible for a retirement pension when you turn 62 years old.  If you have a good reserve or NG unit and are not deploying, you might want to complete your final two years and lock in that pension.

I wish you the best of luck as you consider your options.