Does this sound real to you, esp. those who have served in military?

[Ilsa]

I have been told that if you are in the military, they pretty much "own" you anyway. But a friend was telling me about a "friend of a friend" (always makes me wonder) who was due a promotion in the Army. She was told she'd make major, but she'd be expected to spend three more years in Iraq, with only a two week trip home after two years (probably some R&R nearby?). She declined and left the Army.

Do you think this is for real? Sounds like an offer like that is designed to drive away the hands-on leaders, like they were begging her to quit, which I find odd when they Army is in need of this level of leadership.

[benddem]

1. There are regulations against that

I'm sure the friend of a friend of a and so on...is repeating an urban legend.+

[Ilsa]

2. Thanks. Seemed a bit off the mark, but my source is typically

very reliable even though the little bells went off.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. If you accept a promotion, there is an obligated period of service associated with that.

At least this is true for officers.

So you don't get to be promoted, and accept the promotion just before getting out.

I'm not sure I understand your point about "driving away" hands-on leaders... If she didn't want to serve 3 more years to accept the promotion, then she was getting out anyway, unless you are talking the difference between her staying in 1-2 more years versus 3.

[tabasco]

4. If you accept promotion in the Army there is an active service

obligation, 3 years I suppose for this officer. So she decided to get out instead of spending another three years on active duty.

Whether the entire three years would be in Iraq? Who knows?

[demosincebirth]

5. Back when I was in ( '59 ), they would offer you a stripe

if you reupped for three years. It was common practice at the time. Don't know about officers, but thats what they did with some of the noncoms

[Jack Rabbit]

6. This does not sound right to me

I can't say for certain; I don't know kind of commitment is expected of a commissioned officer.

I know of some funny games the re-enlistment office would play with enlisted people when I was in Korea, especially those in career status. The brass tried to trick some people into re-enlisting with the 2nd ID as their assignment of choice. At the time. it was probably the worst assignment most people in the Army could get. That was almost 30 years ago.