Army Gave Pink Slip Soldiers Last Year, Offers Sabbaticals This Year?

This makes absolutely no sense at all when you consider what went on last year!

The notifications, part of an effort to rapidly shrink the size of the ground forces, have drawn heavy criticism from lawmakers. In June, more than 1,100 Army captains were notified that their military careers would soon end. It was later revealed that 48 were serving in Afghanistan when they were informed that they were getting the ax.

“The men and women deployed overseas have left their homes and families to fight for our country,” Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said in a written statement in July. “It’s deplorable the Obama administration would treat them this way.”

More separation notifications went out to 550 Army majors last month, and early retirement boards for lieutenant colonels and colonels are scheduled next year.

Army Offers 3-Year Career Sabbaticals to Keep Top Soldiers
Military.com
Matthew Cox
June 12, 2015

The U.S. Army is now allowing a small numbers of soldiers, both officer and enlisted, to take up to a three-year sabbatical from service to pursue educational or other personal challenges to avoid losing top soldiers to the civilian world.

The Career Intermission Pilot Program began as a U.S. Navy effort that Congress authorized as part of the Fiscal 2009 National Defense Authorization Act.

It's open to all Regular Army and the United States Army Reserve Active Guard/Reserve personnel and allows 20 officers -- commissioned or warrants -- and 20 enlisted soldiers per calendar year to transition to Inactive Ready Reserve status for up to three years.

"We are not opening this to just anyone; this is a retention program," said Albert Eggerton, deputy chief of the Officer Division for Army G-1.

"What we are looking for in this program this is to incentivize people who are able, well qualified, show potential for increased responsibility. ... We are trying to get those folks -- who also have challenges in personal life and professional development that can't be met by the Army -- to take a step back, go and achieve these things and come back to us."

For Staff Sgt. Jessica Cotton, the CIPP was an opportunity to go to law school and secure her Army career.
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