In today’s post, I’d like to talk about my Army Officer Resignation experience.
People ask me frequently why I resigned my commission as an Army Officer, considering I had 15+ years of service. What was I thinking? Why would I give up my pension and benefits? Why would I walk away from a successful Army National Guard Officer career?
In the paragraphs that follow, I want to do my best to answer that question honestly and objectively. I don’t expect everyone who reads this post to understand my rationale or agree with me. That’s perfectly okay. These views are simply why I made the decision that I did.
First off, I did not make my decision to resign my commission a random or overnight decision. In fact, I spent two years evaluating my options. I weighed the pros and cons. I analyzed it thoroughly. I calculated what my pension would be. I talked with trusted superiors and friends. I even talked to some retirees. I did my due diligence. It wasn’t some rash decision I made because someone upset me or because I had a bad day. It wasn’t an easy decision either.
When I was commissioned as an Army Officer in 2000, I made a vow from day one that I would never be one of the those folks “just doing my time” or “waiting around to get my pension.” I promised myself that if my heart was no longer in it, I would resign, regardless of how much time I had in.
I’ve always believed that soldiers deserve to have good, competent leaders who WANTED to serve. In fact, there are few things that make me angrier than someone staying in just to get a pension, even though their heart isn’t in it. You see these folks in every unit, and everyone knows they are dead weight who contribute very little to the unit (more on that in another post). Maybe you even know someone like this.
Army Officer Resignation: 8 Reason I Resigned
Anyway, back to the topic at hand, here are the 8 reasons why I resigned my commission as an Army Officer.
# 1: I Knew I Would Be a Staff Officer Most of My Career
When I resigned my Army Officer commission, I was a new Major (about a year time in grade). I knew I would be stuck doing PowerPoint slides, OPORDs, MDMP, and meetings the rest of my career. I knew I would be busy doing the behind the scenes grunt work, making someone else look good.
If you know me at all, you know I don’t enjoy doing that very much. I’m a leader, a doer, not a behind-the-scenes type of person. I like being where the rubber meets the road, getting things done, and leading soldiers. I’m not knocking staff officers. The Army needs good staff officers. I just had no desire to be one of them.
# 2: I Knew I Wouldn’t Lead Troops Again
I knew that my leadership days were over, for the most part. Sure, I would make Battalion Commander in another five or six years, if I stuck around, but I didn’t want to wait that long to lead troops again. I also knew that even as a Battalion Commander I wouldn’t get much soldier interaction. I would spend most of my time dealing with Brigade, and higher headquarters.
I would spend most of my time in meetings, listening to things that didn’t even interest me (in most cases). To be quite frank with you, I enjoy leadership. I am happiest when I get to work closely with soldiers, NCOs, and other officers in a “war-fighting” unit. The thought of not doing that again was depressing.
# 3: I Didn’t Believe in the Wars We Are Fighting
This reason will make some of you angry. Oh well. No, I’m not a hippie, protester, or anti-war radical. It’s not a political thing either. I don’t trust any politician.
During my time in the Army, I deployed to two combat zones. I simply don’t like that the U.S. pushes our agenda on every other country in the world, especially when we have so many problems at home. More importantly, I believe that troops shouldn’t be sent to any combat zone if Congress doesn’t officially declare war.
I didn’t want to get deployed again to fight in a war I do not believe in. I questioned (and still do) why we are fighting the wars we are fighting (just follow the money, that’s the answer). During my time in the Army, I never told anyone I was against the wars. This is the first time I’ve expressed my views publicly. I love my country, but I am quite frustrated with our government and political agenda.
# 4: I Don’t Believe in the Current “Jerry’s Kid’s Mentality” that the Army Promotes
This is a big one for me. During my 15-year stint in the Army, the Army changed a lot. What really got to me was the “Jerry’s Kids” and “Entitlement Mentality” in the military.
People expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter. A young soldier has more rights than their senior leader. I will NEVER understand that.
And the soldier discipline and standards in the Army (at least from my experience) have gone way downhill in recent years. You see soldiers who don’t salute, don’t say yes sir/no sir when addressing an officer, and don’t show respect to their leaders.
I blame this on senior leaders in units who don’t set high standards and don’t enforce the Army standards. Although I am a young guy from Generation X, I am still old school. I believe in mental toughness, discipline, and high standards. The Army has definitely gotten away from that. Spend even 15-minutes in any Army unit and you will see what I am talking about.
# 5: I Got Tired of the Politics
I’m not a political guy at all. In fact, I HATE politics. I call a spade a spade and tell it like it is.
I got tired of the officer politics. I got tired of my peers back stabbing each other trying to make themselves look good. I didn’t want to have to kiss someone’s ass just to make it on an Order of Merit List for a school or command position. I had no desire to be part of the good ole boy system.
Looking back, I would have been much better off just staying enlisted or serving as a Warrant Officer.
# 6: I Got Tired of the Unpaid Work Hours
I understand that officers get paid more than enlisted soldiers because they have increased responsibilities and lots of work outside of drill weekend. I also understand that as you move up through the ranks you will have increased responsibilities. That’s fine. But, when you work 30 or 40 unpaid hours a month (or more) it can really create problems in your personal life.
My “outside of drill weekend requirements” consumed way too much of my time and really hurt my businesses and home life. Yes, it is a volunteer Army. Some people might call my reasoning selfish, but last time I checked no one joined the Army to work for free.
# 7: I Was Born to Be an Entrepreneur
I am a free spirited person. I’ve always enjoyed being the boss and making my own decisions. I’m a MAVERICK. I don’t like being told what to do or having to ask permission to do anything. The older I get, the harder it is for me to take orders from people I don’t respect and wouldn’t normally follow. You know, the people who outrank you simply because they’ve been in the military longer than you.
Furthermore, I knew that whatever rank I attained in the Army, I would still have someone telling me what to do. Even the Commanding General has someone to answer to! As an entrepreneur, I am the Chairman of the Board of my company and I do the things the way I want to do them. No bureaucracy. No asking permission. No chain of command. No SOP. Just me. The only orders I take are from my wife (LOL). Anyone who is entrepreneurial minded like myself understands what I am talking about.
I should also chime in and tell you that this blog would have been a conflict of interest. As officers, we’re not allowed to use our rank for personal gain. Some people might have thought I was doing that by having this blog. I realized that the earnings potential of my blog was at least 100x the potential of my pension.
# 8: I Have a Huge Vision for My Life
This might be one of my most important reasons why I resigned my commission. You see, I know EXACTLY what I want to do with my life. I know who I am and where I am going. I have big goals and dreams for my businesses and life and knew it would be difficult to reach my goals, even if I just stuck around for my five more years until I could retire.
2023 Update
I wrote this post back in 2013, about 10 years ago. I am happy to be a civilian and living my dream.
I will be the first to admit that my transition to becoming a civilian was a little bit rough. For the first year or two, I did have some doubts. I wouldn’t call it regrets, but definitely doubts. After relocating to Florida, about a year after I resigned my commission, I almost rejoined the National Guard. In fact, I went to MEPs and went through the onboarding procedure. Once complete, I was approved to rejoin. However, for some reason, my intuition spoke to me, and told me to walk out of MEPs, go home, and focus on my dream. That’s what I did.
Things have worked out great. My wife and I both work from home, as entrepreneurs. We sleep in daily. We are living our dream. I hope to be fully retired and 100% financially independent by age 50, at the latest.
My Advice to You
At some point in our career, we ALL leave the Army. It could be upon retirement, death, resignation, or being discharged for another reason.
Never BASH an officer for resigning. Don’t hold it against them. If you’re thinking about resigning, don’t feel bad. Don’t feel like you are “betraying” the Army, your country, your unit, or your soldiers. If you did your time honorably, be proud of your military service, and be proud knowing you HONORABLY fulfilled your military obligation.
If you are sitting on the fence and thinking about resigning your commission, my # 1 piece of advice would be to listen to your intuition. What is your gut telling you? Honestly?
Do you still enjoy leading soldiers? Is your HEART still in it? Are you still proud to wear the uniform? Do you LOVE what you do? Do you feel like you are fulfilling your life’s purpose? Those are all good questions to ask yourself.
Before you begin the resignation process and submit your paperwork, explore your options. If you’re going to leave the military, make sure it is a step up from what you are currently doing, not a step down. Have a job or income source set up so you don’t put yourself in a bad financial situation.
In addition, explore your other options. Could you transition to Warrant Officer or enlisted? Could you get a new officer branch? Would a new unit or duty assignment be a better option?
No matter what you decide, things will work out for you. They always sort themselves out. You can play it safe, finish your time, get your pension, and start a new career, or you can resign your commission now and start the next chapter of your life.
Each person’s situation is different. Decide what is best for you and your family. Include them in your decision. And whatever you do, do not leave the military UNLESS you have a game-plan, a next step. Winging it and hoping everything will work out is a recipe for disaster.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these are my eight primary reasons I resigned my commission as an Army Officer. I apologize upfront if anything in this post upsets you or makes you angry. That is not my intent. I love the Army and I love my country. Serving in the military made me a better person, a better leader, and a better father/son/husband. I look back at my military service with great pride.
Thanks for reading my post. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Please don’t leave any hateful or rude comments. Those comments will be deleted. However, if you’ve ever resigned your commission from the military, or are thinking about doing it, I would love to hear your reasoning for doing so. I would also love to hear reasons that made you decide to stay in and finish your military career. All the best!
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Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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Let me start with many of my family were in the military and some were high-ranking officers. Now, I live in a military town and have been shocked at what goes on in the military.
It amazes me that people think they have a right to judge people and their decisions. What bothers me the most is the ones that also claim to be Christians’. It is not our place to judge people and their decisions. We all must do what we feel is right for ourselves. I made a decision once based on my fear of what people would say. I was in my early twenties, and I regretted that decision for years. Now at 61, I don’t care and make decisions based on my faith.
I am happy for you that you made the right decision for a fuller life. God bless you, your family, and your friends.
I am in a similar position as you. Also, a Major in the USAR on the medical side. Would like to ask you something privately about the process. Can I email you directly?
That’s an awesome story! Thanks for your service! Gary did 20 years in the Navy and decided he had enough by that time! He got to see lots of places in his career as I’m sure you did as well! Being an Entrepreneur is a good choice!! Glad you decided that Path as now I have met an awesome coach little brother from another mother and good friend!
One of your lil sisters you met though this great biz we are in!
Susan Cooper
Hi Susan,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Please tell Gary, thanks for his military service.
Chuck
I think I’ve explained my deal to you in an email to verify its true. I had 17 years in a guard unit, left a corporate job to be able to attend schools to move up Enlisted. Made it up to E7, was offered a commission in the Reserves, was boarded, and then illegally discharged from the Guard unit by an ACTING Warrant Officer Commander. Screwed my records up with bar to re-enlist codes, with ETS as reason for my discharge. There is a civil case and an ABCMR in line. Civilian suits are near impossible for this kind of thing because of the FERES Doctribr , but we have overcome that hurdle, dure to the warrant officer violating U.S. Federal Laws and Army Regs. to eject me from service. United States Supreme Court has the case now, so it’s not a case of me being a whiner, crybaby, or disgruntled soldier. Basically when I knew I had the commission in the Reserves I called the Warrant Officer acting commander out about mis using unit funds that were in place for junior enlisted that didn’t have civilian jobs to
come in and get stuff done in the unit. Thes funds were called RMAs. Well the Warrant Officer acting commander ( a state civilian technician/miltec in Army Reserves )was
having these funds put in his direct deposit, -and paying himself $200-400, bi- weekly for let’s say, mailing a letter, or signing NCOERs. Meanwhile you have an E3 or E4 struggling to buy groceries . I called him out, -and he out of spite screwed me up before o could get released and go to the Reserves. Anyway I would have my 20 by
now commissioned, but one person screened it up. It will hopefully get fixed after all these legal wheels turn, but it s been three years whipped out of my life; renember I quit my civilian job to devote my time to the military, as MAJ Holmes stated, it’s impossible almost to juggle both once you make rank. So at 17 years my MIL career was ripped from me. It will be fixed I pray, but I would have had my 20 if mot for one person. I have never in 17 years had a problem with anyone, and was closer to the military and my squad than my own family. Just a true story to think about
Wow, that saddens me. I really hope that everything does work in your favor Harley. Keep us updated to the results please.
The case made it to The Supreme Court and was not granted Certiorari because of the FERES Doctrine. I beg you as a military aficionado to read up on the Feres Doctrine. Basically if you and I are in the National Guard l, me Mississippi, and you in Maine. If I were to travel to your state and run a red light and plow into your car, sending you to the hospital along with your family ( this is hypothetical, but very real ). Do you know who you valued sue? My insurance.. Then my insurance would petition the local US Atty . For a Barr to suit under the FERES Doctrine., and your insurance would wind up have to take the hit. That is how f’d up the doctrine is from 1956 I believe. Look up military rape, and feres doctrine. I tried to commit suicide after the case was dismissed, but ER staff was able to bring me back. I’m not proud of that, but I had lost all hope at that point. My family spent over 5k in filing fees to get that far..All for nothing.. I still have a very well prepared ABCMR petition that has been filed awaiting a board ruling for over two years. Several Senators, Colonels, and Generals have included memos to be attached to my petition to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records after hearing my situation. As I said in the original post, I would date a girl, get into a relationship, then have to go to military training , or deployment, so my squad members and unit became the people I was closest to throughout my life from -17 years old. As a former CDR can you please watch Courage Under Fire, where Denzel Washington’s wife tells him she is ready for him to get out of the Army, or get divorced. Denzel ( Col. Serling ) tells her that the Army is his life. That is the best explanation that I can give as far as the way I feel. As screwed up as it sounds.
* your insurance would sue ( correction above )
Sir, I too have been contemplating on resigning my commission too. The difference between you and I is you had a plan. I, on the other hand, do not have a plan and continue to conduct deliberate assessments of my current status in the Army and what I would like doing upon discharge. Currently pursuing my Masters Degree while serving as the Aide to a CG. Touchy subject but something has to give, right?
Getting your Masters will definitely help if you are pursuing a corporate career. Plus, working with a GO can be very beneficial. You will meet lots of people inside and outside of the military. Just nurture those relationships and keep growing your network until you are 100% sure about what you want to do.
No, I didn't resign but retired with 22 years in 1990. I do understand your reasons for resigning and wish that everything works out the way you want. I was not Army but Air Force with very interesting career jobs but my brother-in-law was Army and I respect him and every military brother.
Thanks, Stephen. Yes, everything did work itself out after I resigned my commission. It didn’t go exactly as planned (nothing does), but things turned out very well for my wife and I.
I felt like I was reading into my own thoughts here… I’ve seen this website before, but never really moved past what I was able to find that helped me as a Army Reserve Commander. You’ve given me great insight, and more so, a voice to my own thoughts. Being a BDE HHC CDR is absolutely maddening! The briefs, and pre-brief briefs… followed by the brief backs take valuable training time away from the Soldiers. I’ve got 26 years in; 19 of those as enlisted; and this is my second command stint. My first was as a MP (CS) Line Company Command. It’s a WORLD of difference compared to an HHC command.
And working for free… yeah. It’s 9PM, and I’m sitting on my couch at home with my gov’t laptop on my lap… 4 hours later…
Thanks for visiting the site Sir. Hopefully we can help you in your decisions on your career.
Thanks Greg! I sent MAJ Holmes an email requesting some information as well. I really appreciate what you guys are doing on here. It’s very helpful!
CPT D
You are welcome sir. I also contacted Maj Holmes and told him about your email in case he missed it. Let me know if he you are in need of anything else, and also have a Happy New Year.
Thanks for your service, PJ.
Yes, commanding a HHC is a nightmare. No thanks on that one.
And the unpaid time, don’t even get me started on that one.
Major Holmes,
I commend you for having the integrity and personal courage in resigning your commission based on the reasons you have stated above.
You are the type of soldier and leader that the U.S. Army will greatly miss. I wish you the best of luck in your business endeavor and personal life.
Congrats on a new chapter in your life.
SGT Tong
2005-2011
Thanks Sergeant. I appreciate it.
Mr Holmes:
Can you go into detail about the procedure for and ramifications of resigning your commission? Contemplating the option myself and not sure how one goes about doing it.
The biggest thing is getting blackballed. Once you make your announcement that you are going to resign your commission public, or people find out about it, you will be looked at MUCH differently by your peers and superiors.
Wow, you really tell it like it is! Your honesty is refreshing. Nobody joins the military to attend meetings or sit behind a desk. While that sort of administrative work is essential to maintain a fighting force, it certainly isn’t featured on the recruiting ads! As far as the “Jerry’s Kids Mentality” – I hate to say this, but that isn’t restricted to the military. That’s just the way we’re teaching people to behave.
Yeah, Chris, it’s a crazy world that we live in.
This was a good post, Chuck. I don’t know you very well, obviously, but I am prior service, even though I was enlisted. I understand.
I understand the points you made, and the fact is that if anybody is really hesitant about more than one enlistment and the possibility of a career, then getting out of the service needs to be looked at seriously.
It sounds like you had a really solid career as an Army officer. I know good and well that your civilian career will be solid also.
After I left the Air Force, a ran into a friend of mine who chose to make it a career. I told him I had struggled with deciding to get out or not, but in the end chose to pursue other things.
He told me to take what I had learned while in the service and apply it to civilian life and move on. A career in the service is not for everybody for a variety of reasons.
I would add, though, and I think you would agree, that those men and women with prior service appreciate life and our country more than those who don’t serve.
Yes, we see problems but we also are proud of our service and our country as a whole. I have no patience with those who have no respect for our country and our service men and women.
Like I say, I don’t know you, but I wish you the best in whatever you pursue as a civilian.
Great advice, Scott.
Veterans have a ton to offer the military, government jobs, and the civilian sector. Their experience, especially with high stress and leadership is unlike anything you will get in a regular job.
This post truly hits home for me. My husband is about to end his active duty time with the Army and is considering AF Reserves. We’ve talked a lot about him staying in until he can retire and get his pension, however, for so many of the reasons you listed, I’m hesitant about that. He was so unhappy in his current unit because of the politics that go on, and he was only a low level NCO! We have reasonable doubts that military service would truly make him happy enough to stay long enough to earn pension. It’s worth noting though that we have friends who, although they see the same problems and have many of the same struggles, find it worthwhile for them to become “lifers”. We need all types of men and women in the military, but the one thing they all have to have in common to make the military truly great not only in purpose and action but in integrity and lifestyle, is they have to want it. Thank you for you candor. It is so refreshing to hear “out loud” much of what we’ve only been able to say privately and only to one another.
Making the decision to get out, especially after the ten year mark is hard for most people to do. Lots of people become lifers because they have no other options, or fear of losing their pension, even though they don’t enjoy what they do. I’ve always been the type of guy who has to enjoy what they do, but not everyone has the same viewpoint. I wish you and your husband the best during this difficult situation.
Wow, this post was so honest and transparent. I certainly didn’t expect some of the reasons you listed here, but I certainly do understand them. First, I would just really like to commend you for your wisdom in choosing to leave, even before the pension began, because you knew your heart was not in it anymore. You would have been doing a disservice to those around you, especially the people you may have been leading, because you no longer had a desire to be here.
Secondly, I am more liberal and often times struggle with the wars we fight and why we fight them. I always wondered how soldiers dealt with similar feelings, as they put their life on the line everyday for the people. Thanks for your insight and honesty.
Thanks for the kind words.
I just resigned myself! Thanks so much for sharing I felt the same way.
How has it been for you since you resigned? Have you ever regretted it? Considering it myself and am struggling. One day it’s “I can’t wait to get out!” Then the next is “Will I regret this for the rest of my life?”.
I am old school and Old Army mentality too. I understand every single point you made on resigning your commission and am impressed with your honor and motivation.
I think one of the most interesting reasons you list was the Jerry’s Kids Mentality of today’s Army. My Dad was a 30-year lifer, and as I understand it, soldiers actually have what we called a ‘get out of jail free’ card. If your Drill Sgt. is being a little too rough on you today, you can use the card and he has to stop. I don’t know if they still do this, but WHAT???? It’s his job to be rough on you, and it’s your job to learn the lessons he is trying to teach you.
The civilian world and civilian attitudes have moved into the military sphere of operations too much. It’s like not giving grades in school because it might make some kids feel inferior. It’s like giving promotions based on longevity only and not on performance. There IS too much sense of entitlement out there, and it has seeped and oozed its way into military operations to the point that I’m actually amazed our troops have any combat readiness at all.
That was always one of the things that made me proud to be associated with the Army — it was better than the average Joe. The soldiers were better, braver, smarter, and more disciplined. Now too many of them ARE the average Joe.
The Army has definitely changed and continues to change.
Chuck, thanks for sharing your story. I would also like to thank you for your service and sacrifice. I wish the best for you and your family always.
I was enlisted, I joined the reserves and went through Basic and AIT from July to December of 1985. When I returned to my reserve unit I certainly was not the same person, I saw how lax it was and kind of got turned off. My MOS was 63B light wheel vehicle mechanic, at one of my reserve drills they had a CUCV that wouldn’t start, the electrical system is 24 volt but really the starter is the only part of the system that needs 24 volts. there js an electrical junction block on the firewall one side of the block is 12 volt the other side is 24 v and goes straight to the starter, they were going to send the truck to 3rd shop for repair, I showed them how to repair it by rep[acing the junction block, both sides were 12 volt, it was defective 12 volts won’t turn the 24 volt starter. These NCO’S (civilians) told me I didn’t know what I was talking about. I was mad, it was then that I decided the reserves were not for me I found a recruiter and switched to active duty, I loved the Army, I was a lifer, made E’5 as soon as I met the time in service/time in grade requirements i July of 1990, I reenlisted for four more and an accompanied tour in Germany, Had a report date of Jan 1991, you can see where i’m going with this…. September 1990 I get to Saudi Arabia, my orders for Germany were deleted and I was frozen in place with my unit, i had no problem with that because there is that line in the contract about being assigned according to the needs of the army ( I’m a realist and roll with the punches) To back up a step here, after I reenlisted went on levy, had everything finished for Germany, I just had to wait until December to clear post and go. One day I get called to PAC and they hand me a computer print out that shows I am on levy for Korea…Um, no…I went and saw the retention NCO, He told me to go to the levy office and refuse the tour (on your first enlistment you can refuse one levy) Made no sense to me but that is what I did. Desert Shield/Storm was over and got back to Ft Bragg in March, I kept asking about my orders for Germany and getting no answer. We were told that no one would be going anywhere for a year, followed promptly by a buddy getting levy paperwork for Germany in which he had to report in less than a month. I get called to PAC they give me levy paperwork for Turkey dated Nov of 90 and two weeks later I was called by PAC and they give me levy paperwork dated Sep 90 for Greece. I was fed up, about that time I heard you could assist the army in it’s down sizing with filing a 4187 convenience of the government discharge which I did and got out in dec 1991 with 5years 9months and 29days. I have often regretted that decision but then remember that I had 9 months spent with my mom before she died in Sep 1992 and helped my dad through the grief he felt and to live on his own without mom. It is said that everything happens for a reason and Gulf War Syndrome got me, at least that is what the VA says at 90% SC. This has only one good part, it allowed me to move back home and take care of Dad after his stroke and allowed him to be home instead of a nursing home. he passed away at home in Jan 2013, now I own my childhood home in the peace and quiet out in the country, not the city
I'm at this stage also in my career in the Army Reserves. After reading your reasons, I find they are ringing true for me also. Thanks for putting it in perspective Chuck.
You’re welcome, Robert. It’s never an easy decision, but at some point in all of our careers we will tell the Army good bye, or they will tell us good bye. Leaving at the right time is very important. That time varies with each person.
Very candid and sage advice, thank you. I have decided to resign after transferring to a new NG unit and 14 years of service (8 on AC) that the cons far outweigh the pros, especially as a Warrant Officer and with the NG going back to the 80s and 90s mentality of training.
I wish you all the best in your new career and life Alinka! Thanks for your service.
Thank you for sharing your personal story, and thank you for serving. I do not know why anyone would second guess a decision that you made that was best for you and your family. There were probably plenty of good reasons to stay in, but at the end of the day, if you no longer believe in what you are doing, then you need to change things. Good for you that you had other opportunities available to pursue.
I’m glad I made the decision to move on.
Resigning after so many years is never a decision made lightly. It’s like a relationship that you build and hone. I’m sure there were mixed feelings of excitement for something new and fear of letting go of something you are obviously good at. When you get to a point where you look around and feel sick, angry or resentful for being there then it’s time to go. I admire your decision to leave. When you get to a certain point it has the potential to bring everyone down.
Looking back, I’m glad I resigned my commission. I still have a lot of good memories to cherish, but I don’t regret hanging up my boots.
Thanks for this article. I am highly conflicted about staying in the National Guard. I am ADSW working in our state headquarters and I truly have enjoyed the jobs I have held on the full time side. I know that I am doing work that is important for the National Guard and our Soldiers. On the other hand my traditional units have seemed to do everything they can to make me feel unwanted. I’m not an Officer who intentionally puts my full time job first. I put as many hours as I could into being the best company commander I was able to be and try to do the same for my other traditional roles. I want to keep doing my full time job, but for some of the same reasons you give and some of my own, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep attending drill and AT with my traditional unit.
Jennifer,
I think this is something many ARNG/USAR Officers struggle with. Working on the full-time side of the house and on the M-Day/TPU side of the house creates a complex set of challenges. Doing one or the other is hard enough, doing both is a bit overwhelming. I’m glad you enjoy your ADSW job and sad to hear that you feel unwanted by your traditional unit. That really sucks when that happens. Hopefully, you can work things out and move forward with your career.
Good luck!
Chuck
Is there any opportunity for you to change units, to one that is more supportive of your full time work? Only reason I say this is, we get moved around plenty as officers, so don’t let this one unit ruin a good thing for you.
No matter what unit I would have moved to, I would be in a staff position, something I don’t want to do.
Great points: I've very recently been considering resigning and have found it to be a very difficult decision. I've reached a point with both my civilian and military careers in which I can't sustain top performance in both. I know that there are many out there who probably feel the same.
Dustin,
It’s never an easy decision. And you could argue both sides of the story. Ultimately, you have to weigh both options and trust your instincts. That’s what I did and things worked out fine. That doesn’t mean I never regret my decision or miss the military. I do from time to time. But at the end of the day, I’m glad I moved on to the next chapter of my life. Thanks for the comment.
Chuck
Thank you for sharing this Chuck. You are my hero.
Thanks for the kind words, Bonnie. My only goal was talk about an important issue that very few people ever talk about publicly.
Chuck
Chuck, what a great post. I am glad that you put this out on the table for all us out here. I respect your perspective and openness. I have a few points/questions to add with you…
#1. I agree with you, being a staff Officer is NOT where I want to be either. Leading Troops is the best job in the world. If I could be a Major and be a Platoon Leader at the same time, I would! Being a staff Officer changes you as a person…I have seen it to my peers and I hate that they get all the glory for work that YOU made possible. Just recently our BTN staff Officers received awards during our OPD. To me, their award descriptions sounded like they were just doing their jobs! Nevermind the Soldiers and line leaders, that like you said, sacrifice their personal time to plan and do the right thing for their Soldiers and actually execute the mission! It just left a bitter taste in my mouth that they were recognized for doing their jobs and others aren’t when they go above and beyond.
#2. Belief in war… I would tend to agree with you to a point. One question I have, and feel free not to answer if you don’t, but do you align yourself more with the Libertarian platform?
#3. The politics involved in the Officer Corps really irritates me. As I indicated in #1, I think that the BTN level staff create this political atmosphere and forget that they are there to serve us, not the other way around. It is so irritating to me that FULL TIME AGR BTN members have a full time job preparing the OPORD, LOI, etc. and wait until Thursday, the week before drill to publish their Order, and then want yours in a day or so while you are working your civilian jobs, balancing family life, etc. They should be breaking their backs to ensure that we have the most time to get things done and not be so crunched and frustrated. And they wonder why retention is low and Soldiers get out!
Justin,
Thanks for the nice comment. Here are my answers to your questions.
# 1 If I could have been a small unit leader my entire career, I would have gladly done that. Maybe I should have been a NCO. Maybe not. There are staff NCOs too, so I’m not sure if that is the right answer either. I am more of a doer than a thinker. Yes, I like to conceptualize and am good with big picture thinking, but I am happiest when I can roll up my sleeves and get to work.
# 2 Yes, I am a Libertarian. I’m big on individual rights and letting other countries handle their own issues, especially when our country has so many issues itself: crooked politicians, high unemployment, illegal immigrants, excessive laws, excessive government spending, etc.
# 3 As far as the politics in the officer ranks, it irritated me greatly. In many units, the AGR acts like the M-Day Soldiers are suppose to serve them. I never understood that. If anything the AGR should do what it takes to make the M-Day Soldier’s life easier. And the “officer politics” in general gets much worse as you move up through the ranks and are trying to get promoted.
Thanks again for the comment. I hope my answers helped. Have a great day.
Chuck
Chuck, YES on #3. I see this far too often. The full time staff seems to forget that they are there for the M Day Soldier!
I respect this post more than you know. It takes a lot of courage to say things publicly that may not be popular opinion, but if there is one thing I have learned from knowing you for the past year, is that you have a lot of integrity and you care about the people who work for you – and I can see how that would have made you a great officer. I wish we didn’t have to lose someone like you from the ranks, but if your heart wasn’t in it…I respect you that much more for having the courage to leave.
It was quite perhaps the toughest decision I have ever had to make.
Hey there Candace!
Chuck, keep doing what you do! Getting ready to purchase some products for myself, and my soon to be unit leaders.
Thanks for the kind words, Eric.