Army Officer shortage?

[krby67]

Is there still an officer shortage in the Army?

[RoxyROTC]

Well, I'm in ROTC and I haven't been made aware of a shortage of officers, there is however definitely a shortage of good officers.

[caliny]

The attrition rate among junior officers is still disproportionately high, yes. That is, compared to historical rates anyway.

[mel44]

Captains - They gave huge bonuses last year to get them to stay in but after Major it is all good - I think thats what C said I just dont know what attrition means :D

[caliny]

lol! Yeah, basically. :) The attrition rate is the departure/leaving rate. As mel said, bonuses have been offered the past two years or so. They've largely been considered BS by most junior officers and were often turned down (taxable, based on entry branch which screwed branch transfers, couple other poor points I can't remember). They tried the bonus system again last year, but because it was the same deal, there weren't many takers.

Once you pin Major, you're pretty much in until retirement. BUT, as I understand it, there are also more newly pinned Majors leaving than in the past. Captain used to be the shoo-in rank; now it's Major.

[mel44]

lol! Yeah, basically. :) The attrition rate is the departure/leaving rate. As mel said, bonuses have been offered the past two years or so. They've largely been considered BS by most junior officers and were often turned down (taxable, based on entry branch which screwed branch transfers, couple other poor points I can't remember). They tried the bonus system again last year, but because it was the same deal, there weren't many takers.

Once you pin Major, you're pretty much in until retirement. BUT, as I understand it, there are also more newly pinned Majors leaving than in the past. Captain used to be the shoo-in rank; now it's Major.

Yep - we got 36,000 for signing on for 3 years. It was a given for us because we retire in a couple of years but most Captains are in their late 20's so it really didn't go over very well from what I heard. James bought me the Bat car with it so it was all good. James promotes to MAJ this year. We have really been considering staying in for another 8 years since the economy has gotten so poor but I think the fact that the leadership is dwindling so badly that James can't, in good conscience, just leave and say "thank you". We both feel the young uns that are up and coming need good leadership and if we all get out then who is gonna do it?

[FatCat40]

Yep - we got 36,000 for signing on for 3 years. It was a given for us because we retire in a couple of years but most Captains are in their late 20's so it really didn't go over very well from what I heard. James bought me the Bat car with it so it was all good. James promotes to MAJ this year. We have really been considering staying in for another 8 years since the economy has gotten so poor but I think the fact that the leadership is dwindling so badly that James can't, in good conscience, just leave and say "thank you". We both feel the young uns that are up and coming need good leadership and if we all get out then who is gonna do it?

Just curious, are you a military member also or just married to one?

[krby67]

How about reappointment and call to active duty? What are the odds of getting picked up on this program (as a captain).

[AIRFORCEAGGIE]

How about reappointment and call to active duty? What are the odds of getting picked up on this program (as a captain).


as a commissioned officer, you are subject to recall till you are age 45. even if you resign your commission, the fine print says that you are still subject to recall. However, if you aren't irr or active reserve, the chances of you actually getting called up is slim to none. If you should decide to get out, make sure you actually resign your commission and not just ask to be separated from active duty. The difference is if you ask to be separated, they just place you in the irr. A friend of mine forgot to resign both his regular and reserve irr commissions. As a result, he was recalled as a 40 year old captain and sent to Iraq, where he got shot and is now paralyzed for life. All because he didn't do his resignation properly.

[krby67]

as a commissioned officer, you are subject to recall till you are age 45. even if you resign your commission, the fine print says that you are still subject to recall. However, if you aren't irr or active reserve, the chances of you actually getting called up is slim to none. If you should decide to get out, make sure you actually resign your commission and not just ask to be separated from active duty. The difference is if you ask to be separated, they just place you in the irr. A friend of mine forgot to resign both his regular and reserve irr commissions. As a result, he was recalled as a 40 year old captain and sent to Iraq, where he got shot and is now paralyzed for life. All because he didn't do his resignation properly.

I had resigned my commission just last year but am trying to get back in-applying for recommission.

[Silverback375]

Well, I'm in ROTC and I haven't been made aware of a shortage of officers, there is however definitely a shortage of good officers.

And you are basing this supposition on your vast Military experience?

[AIRFORCEAGGIE]

I had resigned my commission just last year but am trying to get back in-applying for recommission.

then try the national guard and then apply for an active duty assignment. A buddy of mine was in a similar situation to what you are in. He was RA and resigned his commission to go civvy street. He found that he hated being a civilian, but couldn't go back to AD. He applied for an AGR slot and is now a LTC.

[kojack]

then try the national guard and then apply for an active duty assignment. A buddy of mine was in a similar situation to what you are in. He was RA and resigned his commission to go civvy street. He found that he hated being a civilian, but couldn't go back to AD. He applied for an AGR slot and is now a LTC.

The reserve gusard needs good full timers but unfortunately, in too many cases, the AGR program is a welfare jobs programs. Lots of people in AGR jobs that are there because they couldnt cut it in the private sector.

[simpdonny]

The reserve gusard needs good full timers but unfortunately, in too many cases, the AGR program is a welfare jobs programs. Lots of people in AGR jobs that are there because they couldnt cut it in the private sector.


You betcha, ... that's why I'm trying like hell to get an AGR job. Private sector sucks donkey n*ts.

[AIRFORCEAGGIE]

The reserve gusard needs good full timers but unfortunately, in too many cases, the AGR program is a welfare jobs programs. Lots of people in AGR jobs that are there because they couldnt cut it in the private sector.


oh, whatever, Kojack.

[kojack]

You betcha, ... that's why I'm trying like hell to get an AGR job. Private sector sucks donkey n*ts.

oh, i agree. AGR slots are a sweet ride. You can milk that like obama does the American tax payer. You have a ton of time off to raise your kids, come into the drill hall at 1000 hrs and home by 1500. Every weekend off(always an excuse to not be present for drill). No field duty or deploying. LOL

There are outstanding AGR personnel and a lot of bad also.

[krby67]

then try the national guard and then apply for an active duty assignment. A buddy of mine was in a similar situation to what you are in. He was RA and resigned his commission to go civvy street. He found that he hated being a civilian, but couldn't go back to AD. He applied for an AGR slot and is now a LTC.

There is actually a program i've already applied to... It is a re-appointment and concurrent Call to Active Duty. You bypass having to find a slot in the AGR etc. Was just looking for more information as I went through the process, but thanks for the responses.

[simpdonny]

Tell you what... I'm secretly going that way. It's not much of a secret. Once I'm done with Branch qualification, I am going to work my rear off to get back on AD, or something near it. But it's going to be fat chance on that, I am sure. The Guard's about to invest a boat load of money in training me. I doubt that the State's going to let go easily.

The Army's not short or as short as it is unbalanced. I don't know how many officers go out the door, but I know how many commissioned/graduated OCS with me. And, by my estimation, it was a lot.

But I shouldn't relate Guard and Army. Different creatures, for sure.

[LOGANRICK1095]

Retirees are subject to recall FOR LIFE:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/f/faqrecall.htm

Retirees (those who spend at least 20 years in the military and draw retired pay) can be recalled to active duty for life. However, policy established in DOD Directive 1352.1 - Management and Mobilization of Regular and Reserve Retired Military Members, make recall to active duty unlikely for those who have been retired for more than five years, and those over age 60.

[Seasons]

oh, i agree. AGR slots are a sweet ride. You can milk that like obama does the American tax payer. You have a ton of time off to raise your kids, come into the drill hall at 1000 hrs and home by 1500. Every weekend off(always an excuse to not be present for drill). No field duty or deploying. LOL

There are outstanding AGR personnel and a lot of bad also.

Amazing, an Obama bash thrown into an otherwise good conversation.

Logan:
I did not know that, thanks for pointing it out.

[former31B]

I've been researching Army OCS lately and found various sources reporting acceptance rates for civilians off the street at around 90%. Can anyone confirm?

[lasvegasreb]

During my time of selection, I watched in horror as they selected somebody who chose to take his first PT test in jean shorts.

Um, yeah...90% or higher.