Editor’s Note: This email memorandum was provided to DefenseWatch by a Reserve Component officer who notes that the essence of the document is, “Simply having served a tour in Iraq isn’t enough to get you out.”
From: Slay, Leonette W Ms. 81 HQ DCS G1
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 5:32 PM
To: All in 81st RSC MSC/DRU CDR; All in 81st RSC MSC/DRU SR FTUS; All in
81st RSC TPU Primary Staff; All in 81st RSC TPU Special Staff; All in
81st RSC FTS Primary Staff; All in 81st RSC FTS Special Staff
Cc: All in 81st RRC Command Group; Saul, Renee A COL 81 HQ DCS G1;
Studebaker, Harry D Mr 81 HQ DCS G1; Johnson, Raymond E Mr 81 HQ DCS G1
Subject: Unqualified Resignations: New USARC Guidance
Importance: High
Please see new guidance below on the criteria under which USARC G1 will approve requests for unqualified resignations of an officer’s commission. Request that you give this guidance wide dissemination and use it when recommending approval or disapproval of an officer’s request.
Ms. Slay
HRO
-----Original Message-----
From: Underwood, Danny L Mr USARC G1
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 3:53 PM
To: USARC G1 MPO; Belk, Douglas COL, HRC-St. Louis; Darling, William
MAJ, HRC-St. Louis; Prewitt, Helen COL, HRC-St. Louis
Cc: Thomas, Billy W USARC G1; Hill, Eric J LTC USARC G1; White, Jeffery
E Mr USARC G1; Lynn, Joyce D SSG USARC G1; Schear, Ramona H Ms USARC G1;
Jacaruso, Natalie*COL (94RRC-ODCS,G1)
Subject: Unqualified Resignations (UNCLASSIFIED)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Below is the guidance that will be used by us for approving resignations:
1. The USARC DCS, G-1, under the authority delegated by the Cdr, US Army Reserve Command, will approve requests for unqualified resignation by non-obligated officers who are not subject to Reserve Component Stop Loss if one or more of the following criteria are met:
a. The officer previously completed a term of mobilized service in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, or Iraqi Freedom.
b. The officer provides convincing evidence of compelling personal reasons for separation. Documentation must include statements of counseling from Army medical or chaplain personnel.
c. The officer is assigned to a rank and specialty with current officer personnel strength above 50% of authorized manning.
2. Compelling personal reasons for separation may exist under the following
circumstances:
a. Death or disability of an officer’s family member which results in other family members becoming principally dependent upon him or her for care or support to the extent that continued service would result in undue and genuine hardship.
b. Other circumstances not involving the death or disability of a family member (as noted in paragraph 5a above) in which the separation of the officer will materially affect the care or support of his or her family by alleviating undue and genuine hardship.
3. In order for an unqualified resignation request to be favorably considered on the basis of compelling personal reasons, the officer must clearly establish that:
a. The hardship is permanent, did not exist prior to entry into the Army Reserve, and can only be eliminated or materially alleviated by the officer’s separation; or
b. If the hardship existed prior to entry into the Army Reserve, the hardship is permanent, has significantly worsened since entry into the Army Reserve in spite of the officer’s reasonable efforts to remedy the situation, and can only be eliminated or materially alleviated by the officer’s separation.
4. Officers whose resignation request is based on their own statement of a medical condition will be referred to a medical evaluation board to determine medical fitness.
5. Unqualified resignation requests from officers subject to Reserve Component Stop Loss will be returned to the officers without action with an explanation that Reserve Component Stop Loss policy extends service through the period of mobilization plus 90 days. Officers should also be advised that they may submit a resignation request after the Stop Loss stabilization period has expired.
6. Mr. Jeff White at (404) 464-8977 or SSG Joyce Lynn at (404) 464-9627 can provide assistance to your staff.
Danny L. Underwood
Chief, Military Personnel Management Division
Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1
Voice: 404.464.8904
Fax: 404.464.8950
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE