A now enlisted USMA non-graduate's issues...

[bigred]

While I'm sure that I'm one of the very few people in my position, I'm going to stick it out there and see if anyone can provide me with some assistance... I'm a former member of the USMA c/o 2008; I was seperated after an illness sidelined me from school for around two weeks. I subsequently failed second semester physics and Probability and Statistics. Those were the extent of my major "problems" at the Academy, however, I was seperated leading to a plethora of new issues.

My issue is how many of us are ******** enough to enlist after being separated prior to Cow (or related year for the non-USMA's)year committment... Yeah, I was that guy, I'd finished most of Yuck year STAP and then was separated. Anyway, I'm now faced with a conundrum with the application of my USMAPS time to my BASD (Base Active Service Date). Does it apply? The naturally "helpful" NCO's and personnel folks have been less than helpful in this question. I'm not sure what the issue is, it's evident that I was "activated" for that year, but they are not qualifying it as such. The best I could find after searching a variety of AR's is actually a precedent created by (best I can tell) the VA... I'm not sure how helpful this will be.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. If you don't know, maybe one of your friends or associates will. Additionally, if you know of anyone in my situation, or going to be in my situation soon, I'm a, unfortunate, wealth of knowledge on what they can expect and get out of it.

I know I'm not a grad, but my hat is off to those of you who did. Any help on this matter would make a Specialist really happy! Lol, thanks again.

 

[Maximus]

I think you're asking if your USMAPS time counts and yes, it does, 10 months of active duty. The West Point does not count toward retirement though as I'm sure you know that.

 

[Zaphod]

Sorry. I don't speak Woop.

What Maximus says is true; the time counts.

They tossed you for that when you could show you were ill? They didn't even give you a semester on academic probation?

 

[bigred]

Actually, the one beneficial thing about being separated is that the Academy time WILL count to retirement in all services. The DoD Financial Management Regulation (found at http://comptroller.defense.gov/fmr/07a/07a_01.pdf)states in Chapter 1 page 1-5 (that's page one dash five not one through five) section D subsection 4:

"Service as a cadet or midshipman at a military academy is always creditable service for an enlisted member."

Evidently, unless you graduate or are commissioned (something I'll worry about later) your time at the service academy counts toward active duty time and retirement.

-My major issues have come with my Prep school time counting towards active duty, the best support for this has come in the form of a VA precedent set forth in 1996 found at: http://www4.va.gov/ogc/docs/1995/Prc06-95.doc . I'm not sure how well this will hold up when brought to a less-than-open-minded O3 or E-5 however... Does anyone know of anything better?

 

[bigred]

They tossed you for that when you could show you were ill? They didn't even give you a semester on academic probation?

Technically, I'm sure they should have... It's not like you get a lot of chances to meet your Academic board though... Unlike disciplinary boards, you just find out one day in the middle of STAP (Summer school) and at about that time you are incapable of meeting other schools' deadlines for application. So if you have a family conducive to returning, you can, however, mine is pretty strict (at least initially) about "you're 18 you're out of the house..."
Also, evidently being sick (even gravely ill) doesn't preclude you from your TAC's recomendations. I'm not going to say I was perfect, in fact I was probably in the running for Goat at that point lol. It was just unfortunate that the only two classes I failed coincided with a 2 week illness that left a marathon runner getting winded walking down one flight of stairs... And then led to me being on bedrest for nearly 2 weeks. The Academy is what it is though... I love it... I hate it... I guess the best thing is the friends and connections I'm left with anyway. Being a military brat as well as a military man, allows me to understand just how valuable these connections are.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

bigred - godspeed.
You sound like a terrific young man. I hope you continue your education and pursue a commission.

 

[Zaphod]

Damn.

 

[bigred]

Thanks lol

Hey, either way I appreciate the help. It can be kind of depressing fighting such a unique issue... As I said initially, I'm fairly sure I'm one of the few people to have done something like this. Trailblazing isn't all it's cracked up to be lol, finding explicit documentation to validate time in service seems to be a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Especially with the majority of issues arising from people seeking disability from time at the Prep schools or Academy... I'm simply trying to iron out the service time I've given in order to CONTINUE to give... Oh well, I suppose if all else fails, I'll have to try to get a new precedent created in the off chance someone chooses my fate in the future. We'll see.