DD just let us know she will be resigning after ADSO

[USMAROTCFamily]

We just talked with DD, (now a Lieutenant in the Navy) and she let us know that she will be submitting her request to resign her commission at the end of her ADSO next year. I guess the deadline for them to do this is September. She has served on an LSD and LCS. Evidently, every other SWO officer from her year group (2018) that she served with on both of her ships, have all submitted their resignations. I know she learned a lot and worked hard and felt as though she had increasing levels of responsibility. I suspect she would have stayed on with a shore-duty assignment if there were more guarantees as to the type, and location of assignment she would get next. However, it sounds like that would be too risky without the Department Head commitment. They have been trying hard to retain her to stay in and sign for Department Head, but she has made the decision primarily based upon wanting to start a family and quality of life associated with that. She has enjoyed her time in, so far, and has no regrets that this was the path she took and is excited about what life will hold for her next. With her mechanical engineering degree and a lot of engineering experience on her ships, I believe she will pursue work as an engineer with a defense contractor. It was be interesting to see how her transition to her civilian career works out. When I left the military as a JMO 30 years ago, I worked with a headhunter that specialized in placing officers. It was a good experience for me and I still work in the same field after all those year.

 

[justdoit19]

Let us know, if you can! Very interested in hearing about life after service!!

And thank her for her service. Outstanding !!

 

[Capt MJ]

We just talked with DD, (now a Lieutenant in the Navy) and she let us know that she will be submitting her request to resign her commission at the end of her ADSO next year. I guess the deadline for them to do this is September. She has served on an LSD and LCS. Evidently, every other SWO officer from her year group (2018) that she served with on both of her ships, have all submitted their resignations. I know she learned a lot and worked hard and felt as though she had increasing levels of responsibility. I suspect she would have stayed on with a shore-duty assignment if there were more guarantees as to the type, and location of assignment she would get next. However, it sounds like that would be too risky without the Department Head commitment. They have been trying hard to retain her to stay in and sign for Department Head, but she has made the decision primarily based upon wanting to start a family and quality of life associated with that. She has enjoyed her time in, so far, and has no regrets that this was the path she took and is excited about what life will hold for her next. With her mechanical engineering degree and a lot of engineering experience on her ships, I believe she will pursue work as an engineer with a defense contractor. It was be interesting to see how her transition to her civilian career works out. When I left the military as a JMO 30 years ago, I worked with a headhunter that specialized in placing officers. It was a good experience for me and I still work in the same field after all those year.

No doubt she has done this, but she should be clear on what % of the generous post-9/11 GI Bill benefit she will be entitled to. SA and ROTC grads must serve 36 months past ADSO for 100%. It’s pro-rated for <36 months.

We had a SWO sponsor daughter who decided against DH path, took a set of orders ashore to get to her 36 months for GI Bill, devoted after-hours time to serious prep for civilian transition. Had her O-3 salary, med, dental benefits covered. Got her PMP before she separated. Networked extensively. Got her LinkedIn profile well set up. Took advantage of Veterati and American Corporate Partners. Worked with JMO placement firm starting a year out. Ended up in a select JMO intake pipeline for a Fortune 100 company, with a USMMA grad assigned as a mentor, in the field she had targeted. And - got engaged, married and first kid on Navy dime. She knew she couldn’t prepare the way she wanted to on sea duty. Did her MBA remotely from Syracuse on GI Bill.

Lucas Group, Bradley Morris, Orion are some of the JMO military placement firms, though I haven’t been to their websites for a while.

IVMF, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, at Syracuse University, great free virtual programs for certifications such as PMP prep.

 

[WT Door]

We just talked with DD, (now a Lieutenant in the Navy) and she let us know that she will be submitting her request to resign her commission at the end of her ADSO next year. I guess the deadline for them to do this is September. She has served on an LSD and LCS. Evidently, every other SWO officer from her year group (2018) that she served with on both of her ships, have all submitted their resignations. I know she learned a lot and worked hard and felt as though she had increasing levels of responsibility. I suspect she would have stayed on with a shore-duty assignment if there were more guarantees as to the type, and location of assignment she would get next.

No doubt she has done this, but she should be clear on what % of the generous post-9/11 GI Bill benefit she will be entitled to. SA and ROTC grads must serve 36 months past ADSO for 100%. It’s pro-rated for <36 months.

We had a SWO sponsor daughter who decided against DH path, took a set of orders ashore to get to her 36 months for GI Bill, devoted after-hours time to serious prep for civilian transition. Had her O-3 salary, med, dental benefits covered. Got her PMP before she separated. Networked extensively. Got her LinkedIn profile well set up.

Some interesting parallels with @USMAROTCFamily DD’s to resign her commission. My DD was at the same crossroad after serving on an LSD and later on a Phibron Staff. Her career advice was almost the same - stay in the SWO community with the next step being a DH after shore duty. She wasn't fully convinced. What she really wanted was a lateral transfer to the PAO Community. As a collateral duty PAO on the ship, she enjoyed writing. I think she has a gift for putting word to paper. The Phibron Commander liked her writing as a staffer as well as her print media coverage of the ship’s exercises and ongoings in the base paper. He indorsed her package for lateral transfer but she was not selected. She opted for shore duty without committing to the SWO department head route. Her follow-on shore assignment, from overseas, was to USNA as the Superintendent’s speech writer. I drove cross-country with her to Naptown. When she checked in, she came out with a dazed look telling me that she was reassigned to the PE Department! Oh, well. During one summer she volunteered in the PAO Department and was also pursuing (out of pocket) a Master's in the classics at Saint John’s College in Annapolis. Her work got noticed in the Yard. On her third attempt, with resignation papers at the ready, she was selected for lateral transfer to the PAO community. It was tough needle to thread as only two were selected for redesignation at the board. Her experience as a SWO was invaluable as she would next serve on an LHD, and a CVN. Just when she thought she was done with sea duty, she later was a by- name- request by the PCO of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). He was the XO of the CVN she cruised on some years prior.

Good luck to your daughter as she makes transition plans. One never really knows what may happen down the road.

 

[USMAROTCFamily]

No doubt she has done this, but she should be clear on what % of the generous post-9/11 GI Bill benefit she will be entitled to. SA and ROTC grads must serve 36 months past ADSO for 100%. It’s pro-rated for <36 months.

We had a SWO sponsor daughter who decided against DH path, took a set of orders ashore to get to her 36 months for GI Bill, devoted after-hours time to serious prep for civilian transition. Had her O-3 salary, med, dental benefits covered. Got her PMP before she separated. Networked extensively. Got her LinkedIn profile well set up. Took advantage of Veterati and American Corporate Partners. Worked with JMO placement firm starting a year out. Ended up in a select JMO intake pipeline for a Fortune 100 company, with a USMMA grad assigned as a mentor, in the field she had targeted. And - got engaged, married and first kid on Navy dime. She knew she couldn’t prepare the way she wanted to on sea duty. Did her MBA remotely from Syracuse on GI Bill.

Lucas Group, Bradley Morris, Orion are some of the JMO military placement firms, though I haven’t been to their websites for a while.

IVMF, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, at Syracuse University, great free virtual programs for certifications such as PMP prep.

She did look at GI Bill and the requirements to qualify for full benefits. I think she has been hearing too many stories of other SWOs ahead of her, who were still pulled out to sea, even during their shore duty assignments, or sent to Guam, etc. It certainly sounds like the focus for assignment priorities definitely goes to those taking the DH slots, as it should be IMPO, but I think there is too much uncertainty in what would happen if she opted to stay in for the next tour. She is prioritizing being with her husband and staying in a location where her husband can continue his career, since he had made the sacrifice to follow her for her Navy assignment.

If there are any other former JMOs (or parents of) who have recently transitioned to civilian sector careers after completion of their initial ADSO, I'd love to hear how things played out for you.

 

[Capt MJ]

Some interesting parallels with @USMAROTCFamily DD’s to resign her commission. My DD was at the same crossroad after serving on an LSD and later on a Phibron Staff. Her career advice was almost the same - stay in the SWO community with the next step being a DH after shore duty. She wasn't fully convinced. What she really wanted was a lateral transfer to the PAO Community. As a collateral duty PAO on the ship, she enjoyed writing. I think she has a gift for putting word to paper. The Phibron Commander liked her writing as a staffer as well as her print media coverage of the ship’s exercises and ongoings in the base paper. He indorsed her package for lateral transfer but she was not selected. She opted for shore duty without committing to the SWO department head route. Her follow-on shore assignment, from overseas, was to USNA as the Superintendent’s speech writer. I drove cross-country with her to Naptown. When she checked in, she came out with a dazed look telling me that she was reassigned to the PE Department! Oh, well. During one summer she volunteered in the PAO Department and was also pursuing (out of pocket) a Master's in the classics at Saint John’s College in Annapolis. Her work got noticed in the Yard. On her third attempt, with resignation papers at the ready, she was selected for lateral transfer to the PAO community. It was tough needle to thread as only two were selected for redesignation at the board. Her experience as a SWO was invaluable as she would next serve on an LHD, and a CVN. Just when she thought she was done with sea duty, she later was a by- name- request by the PCO of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). He was the XO of the CVN she cruised on some years prior.

Good luck to your daughter as she makes transition plans. One never really knows what may happen down the road.

One of our sponsor family alum, successful SWO and pack-plus-performer, handpicked as NavO on last ship, had submitted resignation, got a call out of the blue from HR restricted line community detailer after SWO detailer had internally processed her request, would they be interested in taking a 2-year tour of duty at a NOSC (Reserve Center) in same homeport, and if they did well, immediate re-designation and lateral transfer into the HR community and on track for a choice assignment. They loved the Navy but had realized they didn’t want command of a ship as a line officer. Fast forward through switch to HR, prime assignments, including personal staff to CNO, is now a senior officer in command ashore. Immensely happy and still marvels how it came about.

 

[nuensis]

IVMF, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, at Syracuse University, great free virtual programs for certifications such as PMP prep.

https://www.cool.osd.mil/usn/

Navy will pay for professional credentials like PMP (usually, money pot ran out this year...). Variety depends on designator. No need to burn GI Bill benefits.

Skillbridge is also a great opportunity, though pretty rare to get it from sea duty (not many afloat COs are willing to take that kind of gap).

 

[Capt MJ]

https://www.cool.osd.mil/usn/

Navy will pay for professional credentials like PMP (usually, money pot ran out this year...). Variety depends on designator. No need to burn GI Bill benefits.

Skillbridge is also a great opportunity, though pretty rare to get it from sea duty (not many afloat COs are willing to take that kind of gap).

IVMF runs the OTO Onward To Opportunity program, fully funded certification, no dent in VA benefits.

There is also the VET TEC program and numerous state cyber programs for all things IT courses and certs.

 

[usna1985]

Suggest she look at the SACC (Service Academy Career Conference), which is largely targeted at her demographic.

 

[NavyHoops]

Suggest she look at the SACC (Service Academy Career Conference), which is largely targeted at her demographic.

I second this. I personally would stay away from the JMO head hunters. Just a personal opinion on that one. I believe most former JMOs can do better than what most of them offer in most jobs. Also, do not sign a exclusive contract with any head hunter firm.

The beauty of being a civilian is you can resign anytime! That is still an empowering feeling for me. Also, she will make any job she gets her own. It truly is about performance. Best of luck to her! She will do great.

 

[conrack]

last I heard only half of all FSA grads stay past their 5 year commitment, sounds like that number has dramatically increased. The country would be better served moving more commissioning slots to ROTC.

 

[NavyHoops]

last I heard only half of all FSA grads stay past their 5 year commitment, sounds like that number has dramatically increased. The country would be better served moving more commissioning slots to ROTC.

And what data supports this?

 

[OldRetSWO]

last I heard only half of all FSA grads stay past their 5 year commitment, sounds like that number has dramatically increased. The country would be better served moving more commissioning slots to ROTC.

Are you familiar with the rank pyramid and difference in numbers of O3s and O4s that are ALLOWED (by law) to be in each year group?

 

[USMAROTCFamily]

Update: After DD submitted notification of resignation at the beginning of September, she just found out that it has been approved. She said that her SWO 2018 year group retention rate (following the 5 year commitment) is tracking lower than the 2017 year group SWO retention rate of 17%. This seems so low to me! Even though they have approved her resignation, they are now throwing out new "deals," which include being able to choose specific "guaranteed" shore duty billets without having to sign on to be a Department Head, which they were not offering previously. Evidently the list of billets comes out in March. She is skeptical that any shore duty position would actually be guaranteed not to end up with sea duty, since there seems to be such a shortage of officers. She is seeing ships, including hers, that keep getting tasked to provide officers to deploy with other ships, as they all seem to be short officers. One senior officer in her chain of command said they specifically want her to come teach at one of the schools for newly minted officers. So, now she may wait to see what is really on this list................ I suspect she will still be getting out. Interesting to watch how this all is playing out.

 

[raimius]

Sounds like she served honorably and is moving on to a new chapter of life. Best wishes to her!

 

[justme]

Update: After DD submitted notification of resignation at the beginning of September, she just found out that it has been approved.

I assume as long as they haven't finished the 8 year commitment, the request could be denied? How often would a 5 year officer requesting resignation be denied after ADSO?

 

[nuensis]

I assume as long as they haven't finished the 8 year commitment, the request could be denied? How often would a 5 year officer requesting resignation be denied after ADSO?

The request can always be denied.

If under 8 years, it's a request to resign an active commission and accept a reserve commission instead. Theoretically, a reserve commission can also be denied, in which case the officer must stay on active duty. But I have not seen that happen. I have seen the request to resign the active commission be denied.