Originally Posted by
FlewNavy
For those USN folks looking to retire, we have recently heard that typical retirement waivers such as Time in Grade and Retirement at Lesser Grade are being disapproved. I would also expect that requests for retirements that are "mid-tour" to also be disapproved. Anyone that is retiring can expect retirement orders 3-6 months from retirement date. This means your approved retirement orders may not actually drop until INSIDE your terminal leave date.
This is gouge and hear-say from folks that heard it from someone that may have attended a meeting or teleconference from somebody that may have heard of BUPERS during a conversation at one point in time and in no way shape or form is gospel.
Spot on. I got to experience this in the Navy during several hiring waves from both sides of the table. The cycle of recruit and train pilots is a time late process for the critical path of having enough Department Heads. So they surge , then have a slowdown, start letting folks leave for any reason, progress to early outs and retention boards, then realize they are right back to being undermanned for...Department Heads. During the Lost Decade, almost the entire group of Naval Aviation Flags drank the kool Aid of "we don't have a pilot retention problem anymore". Have seen these briefs, asked pointed questions during them, and hotly debated this over beers and at conferences trying to persuade leadership there was a problem. Flags are smart folks first and foremost, but they, like all their mentors, don't grasp the problem. And their AD bias is strong in that they all stayed and it worked out great for them.
So if you are in the Navy, and are going to separate or retire, for your own protection, play by the letter of BUPERS guidelines on sending in your letter. Yes, you may get knocked on your Fitrep, get pulled from your job, or a few other unpleasantries for being a "quitter". Sad, but true. You can survive it. Your departure Fitrep from AD will be read by any Reserve Board as the normal AD sour grapes for somebody pulling chocks. Got one of those. Your retirement request can illicit similar antics, but who cares what they write about you when you leave. Have one of those too. The prime directive is if you are leaving have your act together and plan in place. Neither your Skipper nor the Bureau may be on your side, and in fact may be under pressure from their boss to meet manning or crew goals. So you need to read and understand the rules, and not listen to ready room gouge on what LT Door did last year. Call separations and retirements in the Bureau and ask questions, not your detailer until you are ready to share your plans. You don't need to be a "stand up guy", you just need to play by the letter of the Instruction. Then go live the rest of your life. And don't be shocked when your old Skipper, DH's, and friends reach out to you for help on transitioning.
Got a Lot of those calls and emails.
