Military Connection: Army Pink Slip: By Debbie Gregory

After more than a decade of bulking up its ranks, the long awaited drawdown of the U.S. military becomes a reality this week for officers serving in the Army. This week approximately 1,100 captains (O-3) and 500 majors (0-4) will be notified that they will be involuntarily separated from the Army.

As planned, the Army’s officer separation and early retirement boards convened their review of 19,000 active duty officers to make their selections. This week approximately 1,600 active duty officers, most of whom likely have combat- command experience, will be asked to leave the Army.

At the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Army boasted around 570,000 soldiers, and has trimmed down to about 510,000 over the last few years. The current round of cuts, which included the notification of 500 enlisted soldiers selected early this year for separation, are intended to slim the Army’s ranks to a force of 490,000. For this to happen, many more active duty soldiers will be asked to involuntary separate.

But eventually, the Army could get even smaller. Many members of Congress want to reduce the standing Army to a force size of 450,000. Due to budget cuts and the wind-down of the war, this may come to pass.

The 1,100 captains and 500 majors who are getting their notices this week will not be immediately pink-slipped. They will have until April 1, 2015 to get their finances in order and prepare for their civilian lives.

Military Connection would like to thank all members of the U.S. military for their service, and hopes that when it is time for them to transition out of the military they will take advantage of the information and resources available at www.militaryconnection.com.

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