July 25, 2014

Earlier this week, Army officials provided greater clarity behind its ongoing involuntary drawdown efforts with MOAA and other major veteran and military service organizations.  

The teleconference followed swift negative reaction by the press and legislators when various “pink slip” news stories surfaced regarding the way the Army handled the notification of nearly 1,200 officers involuntarily selected to separate; some while deployed combat zones.   

During the teleconference, Army officials emphasized that leaders were involved in the notification process. The 87 deployed captains (O-3), once notified, immediately received “change of mission” orders and will be out of country within 30 days. They were given the choice to either return to home duty station or to a transition location of choice and given 10 months to separate.   

These separations are just one method the Army is undertaking to bring their active duty force down from 570,000 members to 490,000 by 2015. Enlisted drawdown efforts will largely be adjusted by reducing the accession pipeline but more officers can expect pink slips early next month when the involuntary separation board results are released for majors (O-4).  

The Army is in a difficult predicament. Sequestration and other budget cuts have led to significant end strength reductions that hit the Army and Marine Corps hardest.    

The Army’s Soldier for Life Transition program is working with MOAA and other Military and Veterans Service Organizations to assist in providing transition services for these service members.