The First Step...

[ReubenB]

First off I would like to thank Shadow Spear for accepting me into this community and looking forward to all the knowledge I will attain here.

Today I made the first step in a long arduous process of leaving the Army as an Officer (1LT) in OCT 13 and now returning as an enlisted member (E5) through the 18X Program. I have wanted this for a long time even before I graduated high school. I will be looking to this community for support, guidance and mentorship throughout the process. I appreciate any suggestions, comments and recommendations.

Thank you all!

 

[swimr235]

I am unfamiliar with Army structure when it comes to SF so my first question would be why leave as an O to go E? Are you not able to go into SFAS as an O?

 

[Karoshi]

Reuben, are you able to get commissioned again in the future if you decide to pursue 18A later in life?

 

[Ooh-Rah]

I will be very interested to see the responses to this one. (not a "shot" just very curious to hear what those in the know have to say about your plan of going from an officer to enlisted)

 

[TLDR20]

I will be very interested to see the responses to this one. (not a "shot" just very curious to hear what those in the know have to say about your plan of going from an officer to enlisted)

While I was a Q course instructor we had two prior SF officers going through becoming 18D's. We also had former Marine infantry O's. I have no issues with it.

 

[AWP]

1. You can resign your commission or go into the IRR/ ING. I know guys who have done both with their bars. Some do it to go active as an enlisted, some to do it in the Guard/ Reserve as enlisted, some even change branches altogether. It is not that unusual.
2. As many here will testify, O time on an ODA is very, very finite. NCO time is almost forever.
3. O to NCO and then back to O? Possible, but unlikely. Maybe in the Guard, but on AD? I'd be surprised. Unless something's changed the AD side only opens SFAS to Officers in certain year groups (the year in which you commission). One possible reason to go enlisted is because you missed your YG window. Therefore you are unlikely to go back as an O, but maybe the Guard has a magical waiver.
4. Some folks realize that being an O "ain't what it's cracked up to be." Personally, I was happier as an NCO and looking at how the Support side changed post-9/11, I'd have gone Warrant, but that's water under the bridge. Bottom line, being an O can royally suck for some people in some environments. Those people still want to serve and the last time I checked, we'll always need good NCO's.

 

[Brill]

Not SF however, there are three former O-3s in our MI section that resigned and put on SGT stripes. All are amazing managers and can navigate through the Guard admin nightmare with ease. I can only assume similar things could be said of the AD side.

Having seen what MI and SF branched officers do in war zones and garrison, you're making the right choice. In a TIC, the TL was always on the radio while we were maneuvering...or falling down in an open sewer.

Wait, you have 4 years of service and still an O-2??????

 

[ReubenB]

I am unfamiliar with Army structure when it comes to SF so my first question would be why leave as an O to go E? Are you not able to go into SFAS as an O?

I tried numerous times as an officer. No luck. I was not combat arms branch and despite many request was unable to attend Ranger school to better my selection for SFAS. To specifically answer your question, yes you are able to attend. Getting there is another story.

Reuben, are you able to get commissioned again in the future if you decide to pursue 18A later in life?

Good question! I actually have no clue and currently I plan to move to Warrant after some team time. Lord willing.

I will be very interested to see the responses to this one. (not a "shot" just very curious to hear what those in the know have to say about your plan of going from an officer to enlisted)

My father, a LTC, is driving 3 hours to speak with me in person about it. Should be an interesting conservation.

I have no issues with it.

I will take that as a blessing to move forward. Thank you.

You can resign your commission or go into the IRR/ ING. I know guys who have done both with their bars. Some do it to go active as an enlisted, some to do it in the Guard/ Reserve as enlisted, some even change branches altogether. It is not that unusual.

That's the plan. Hopefully it works.

Some folks realize that being an O "ain't what it's cracked up to be."

This.

Having seen what MI and SF branched officers do in war zones and garrison, you're making the right choice

Thank you. My deployment to Iraq was a lesson in, "How to Make as Many PPTs as Possible".

Wait, you have 4 years of service and still an O-2??????

Midway through my short lived "career" HRC decided there were too many CPTs in the Army so they stretched the time in grade before promotion for 1lT. Additionally they sent out MILPERS stating they were going to only promote 95% of 1LTs to CPT. When all the dust settled they only promoted 90% of 1LTs even axing some prior service E6s that had made the switch. I didin't get promoted my wife thankfully was promoted to CPT (she's headed to 10th GSB).

 

[Totentanz]

Which year group were you in?

 

[ReubenB]

Which year group were you in?

2009

 

[Ooh-Rah]

@ReubenB , what I would not give to be a fly on the wall when the good Colonel sits you down to discuss 'options'.

For what it worth, I respect the hell out of your decision. I want to be careful not to overstep my non SOF bounds here, but if going through the process of decommissioning (?) yourself so that you have an opportunity to chase your dreams does not reflect your commitment, I don't know what does.

 

[ReubenB]

@Ooh-Rah1069

It was recommended that I record this conversation for evidence of my untimely demise. Also thank you for your support in this endeavour.

 

[DA SWO]

I tried numerous times as an officer. No luck. I was not combat arms branch and despite many request was unable to attend Ranger school to better my selection for SFAS. To specifically answer your question, yes you are able to attend. Getting there is another story.



Good question! I actually have no clue and currently I plan to move to Warrant after some team time. Lord willing.



My father, a LTC, is driving 3 hours to speak with me in person about it. Should be an interesting conservation.



I will take that as a blessing to move forward. Thank you.



That's the plan. Hopefully it works.



This.



Thank you. My deployment to Iraq was a lesson in, "How to Make as Many PPTs as Possible".



Midway through my short lived "career" HRC decided there were too many CPTs in the Army so they stretched the time in grade before promotion for 1lT. Additionally they sent out MILPERS stating they were going to only promote 95% of 1LTs to CPT. When all the dust settled they only promoted 90% of 1LTs even axing some prior service E6s that had made the switch. I didin't get promoted my wife thankfully was promoted to CPT (she's headed to 10th GSB).

I assume you are punching out before the second pass over?
Did the powers to be know you were resigning to go 18X?

 

[ReubenB]

@SOWT

I assume you are punching out before the second pass over?

Yup. Got going when the going was good.

Did the powers to be know you were resigning to go 18X?

If you mean Big Army, no. I made no disclosures to the Army that I was getting out to come back in as a 18x. Now if you mean LTC Dad, no also. He thought I was planning on taking a corporate job and start the process of climbing it's ladder. He also wasn't too hard on me for wanting to re-joining as enlisted. He just said, "You're a grown ass man do whatever you want but I think you're taking a step backwards".

 

[ReubenB]

SITREP:

• Thankfully I had a copy of TS/SCI SF-86 so the recruiter told me to disregard the watered down one they give newcomers
• Had to dig up my ASVAB scores from OCT 2002. I was a HS JR. Surprised I did so well. Also learned if you join your scores are locked in. That is of course you decide to retake the ASVAB to get the ole GT Score up to snuff.
• Requested copies of my official college transcripts be sent to the recruiter. Because me being an officer wasn't proof enough and considering I have to provide a letter indicating completion of ROTC.
• Requested a copy of my Eagle Scout credentials. Trying to put the best foot forward to MEPS.
• Started working on an applicant statement for MEPS. I was told by the recruiter it couldn't hurt to beg/persuade them to give me an 18X contract so fingers to the keyboard.
• Had to dig up my OG birth certificate. The one the Army had all these years now isn't good enough. Funny how that works.
• Writing my resignation letter to HRC time now.

Also if anyone can confirm or deny this possibility I would appreciate it: Is it possible to enlist as an E-5 18X? I am mentally and financially preparing to enter the Army again as an E-4 but if I can come back as SGT I wouldn't turn it down.

Although sharing with the E4 Mafia I'm married to CPT may have it's perks.

Thank you all for being a part of this journey with me and your support. If there's any suggestions, comments, ideas, recommendations, whatever. I'd love to read them.

 

[pardus]

Also if anyone can confirm or deny this possibility I would appreciate it: Is it possible to enlist as an E-5 18X? I am mentally and financially preparing to enter the Army again as an E-4 but if I can come back as SGT I wouldn't turn it down.

Although sharing with the E4 Mafia I'm married to CPT may have it's perks.

Thank you all for being a part of this journey with me and your support. If there's any suggestions, comments, ideas, recommendations, whatever. I'd love to read them.

Can you go Enlisted with an O wife?

I'm curious about what you are prepared to accept. Are you mentally and financially prepared to enter the SF program as an E1?

 

[ReubenB]

Can you go Enlisted with an O wife?

I have seen no regulation that states I can not. The recruiters said I only needed to provide proof of marriage (a marriage certificate) so it could be verified in DEERs

I'm curious about what you are prepared to accept. Are you mentally and financially prepared to enter the SF program as an E1?

Without hesitation

 

[Totentanz]

Can you go Enlisted with an O wife?

Unless the reg has changed recently, yes. The relationship has to have existed prior to that situation occurring. E.g. if two enlisted personnel are married and one earns a commission, an officer's spouse enlists, the spouse of an enlisted member earns a commission, etc. I saw several cases of the first example when I went through OCS.

Starting a new relationship that crosses that line is a no-go.

 

[DA SWO]

SITREP:

• Thankfully I had a copy of TS/SCI SF-86 so the recruiter told me to disregard the watered down one they give newcomers
• Had to dig up my ASVAB scores from OCT 2002. I was a HS JR. Surprised I did so well. Also learned if you join your scores are locked in. That is of course you decide to retake the ASVAB to get the ole GT Score up to snuff.
• Requested copies of my official college transcripts be sent to the recruiter. Because me being an officer wasn't proof enough and considering I have to provide a letter indicating completion of ROTC.
• Requested a copy of my Eagle Scout credentials. Trying to put the best foot forward to MEPS.
• Started working on an applicant statement for MEPS. I was told by the recruiter it couldn't hurt to beg/persuade them to give me an 18X contract so fingers to the keyboard.
• Had to dig up my OG birth certificate. The one the Army had all these years now isn't good enough. Funny how that works.
• Writing my resignation letter to HRC time now.

Also if anyone can confirm or deny this possibility I would appreciate it: Is it possible to enlist as an E-5 18X? I am mentally and financially preparing to enter the Army again as an E-4 but if I can come back as SGT I wouldn't turn it down.

Although sharing with the E4 Mafia I'm married to CPT may have it's perks.

Thank you all for being a part of this journey with me and your support. If there's any suggestions, comments, ideas, recommendations, whatever. I'd love to read them.

I wouldn't let a soul know what rank my wife was until I was finished with all my training.

 

[pardus]

Without hesitation

Good