I wouldn't bet on that. Maybe back in the day, but nowdays we have this little program called "IA"...not only do you get to carry a weapon, but you will likely get to use it too.

 

Ironic statement given your avatar...was that your ship? If it was, the weapon carried you!

 

I still remember the employment tables for those 16" guns...any target, any effect: one round.

 

Not trying to burst any bubbles, I just want the most current info to be available. The CG is quite overstaffed right now, they are actually making very easy to get out (not that there are many places to go). Anyway, the following message was just released regarding officer retention:

SUBJ: ALCGOFF 045/10 - ACTIVE DUTY OFFICER WORKFORCE
MANAGEMENT
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 011611Z APR 10/ALCOAST 165/10
B. PERSONNEL MANUAL, COMDTINST M1000.6 (SERIES)
1. IN SUPPORT OF REF A, OPM IS IMPLEMENTING THE FOLLOWING
POLICY CHANGE FOR REQUESTS RECEIVED THROUGH 30 DEC 2010.
OBLIGATED SERVICE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE WAIVED BY PSC-OPM FOR
OFFICERS WITH OBLIGATED SERVICE FROM TIME IN GRADE, PG
SCHOOL, TUITION ASSISTANCE, ACADEMY/OCS/DCO/W2
APPOINTMENTS, PCS TRANSFER, FLIGHT SCHOOL, AND RETIRED
RECALL. OBLIGATED SERVICE FROM POST 9-11 GI BILL BENEFITS
TRANSFER TO DEPENDENTS IS NOT WAIVERABLE.
A) OPM WILL CONSIDER WAIVING OBLIGATED SERVICE FOR OFFICERS
DESIRING RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION. APPROVAL OF WAIVERS
WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS SUBJECT TO
SERVICE NEED.
B) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, THERE IS A CURRENT SERVICE NEED
TO RETAIN OFFICERS IN THE FOLLOWING SPECIALTIES: C4IT,
INTEL, NAVAL ENGINEERING, CIVIL ENGINEERING, FINANCE,
LEGAL, PREVENTION, AND AIRCRAFT COMMANDERS (O3/O4).
C) RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS SHOULD BE TARGETED FOR THE
JUN 2011 - OCT 2011 TIME FRAME. REQUESTS FOR RETIREMENT OR
RESIGNATION OUTSIDE OF THIS SCHEDULE ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE
APPROVED WITHOUT A POSITIVE COMMAND ENDORSEMENT ADDRESSING
BACKFILL OR VACANCY OPTIONS.
D) ALL REQUESTS FOR RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION MUST BE
SUBMITTED TO OPM-1 VIA STANDARD CG MEMO WITH COMMAND
ENDORSEMENT ADDRESSING UNIT IMPACT AND/OR ABILITY TO GAP
POSITION.
2. OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REQUEST AFFILIATION WITH THE
CG RESERVE AND MAY DO SO BY CONTACTING THE CGRC, LTJG ANNE
MULHERN, 703 235-1872.
3. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF SEPARATION
UNDER THIS TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGE, ESPECIALLY PERTAINING
TO GI BILL ELIGIBILITY, TUITION ASSISTANCE, ETC., SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO YOUR EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER OR TRANSITION
RELOCATION SPECIALIST.
4. QUESTIONS CONCERNING RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
INCLUDING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE TEMPORARY SEPARATION PROGRAM
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO OPM-1, POC: LCDR SARA DILUNA, (202)
493-1622. QUESTIONS RELATED TO SERVICE NEED AND ASSIGNMENT
BACKFILLS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE RESPECTIVE AO WITHIN
OPM-2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND FAQS WILL BE POSTED ON
THE PSC-OPM CGPORTAL SITE:
https://cgportal.uscg.mil/lotus/myquickr/psc-opm.
5. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.

As highlighted, they only consider current LT and LCDR aircraft commanders as retention critical. As for the headline of my reply, that was from another message or email I just saw in the past two days. What blows my mind is that an academy grad who went grad school after their first tour (say, on a cutter) could potentially get out without finishing their obligated service or payback tour.

Never give up on your dreams if this is something you truly desire, but remember timing can be critical and unfortunately these are not-so-good times.

-4FF

 

Hello,
Thank you all VERY much for your input. You have given me a lot to think about.