Service Academy Draftee

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Originally posted by shortstopmom:

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any time during those reserve years, the player can be called back to active duty at the Army's discretion.

This goes for regular academy commissioned officers as well. Not just the athletes.

I will add that a MAJORITY are called back and MANY serve back-to-back 12-18 month deployments.
( and I dont mean to beautiful beaches of Tahiti, if you get my drift )

You are correct about the majority. Most officers with reserve clauses now expect to have their active duty lengthened to fill out the reserve clause on active duty. Deployments were lengthened from 12 to 15 months recently, and I'm not aware of any longer deployments or back to back deployments (meaning the troop would spend two consecutive 15 month tours overseas for a total of 30 consecutive months on deployment) except in very special circumstances. Even when reserve clauses are made active, the troops rotate stateside after their 15 month overseas deployment. Current stateside rotations are 12 months.

And just as an FYI, if you really wanted to know what troops were talking about, it would be that the deployment times were lengthened. 15 months in the mid-east is a back breaker. The motto of troops stationed there...embrace the suck..refering to the environmental conditions they are faced with.

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Deployments were lengthened from 12 to 15 months recently, and I'm not aware of any longer deployments or back to back deployments (meaning the troop would spend two consecutive 15 month tours overseas for a total of 30 consecutive months on deployment)

Many of the 15 month deployments have been extended to 18 months with Infantry combat troops and others. Remember, this is handled by the needs of the military. If there is a need to stay, and there is, they stay. Rapid deployment units which are normally in and out quickly have been extended to much longer periods, along with security forces units.
Allow me to clarify: When I say back-to-back deployments, I mean that many service men and woman come home from a 12-18 month deployment, hopefully for about a 6 month period (-granted some longer and some shorter- there is no one standard answer to all situations ), only to return and do another 12-18 months.
The AF runs a little differently because their numbers are up.
Other branches are hurting. This is why it is my opinion that our reserve units have been rode hard,...too hard, although you will probably hear little complaining done by the service members themselves.
With that said, I will try and leave the politics & my opinions out of this conversation, for the sake of everyone/anyone reading.

CPLZ I commend you at having the statisics and facts and presenting them in a logical form. These are of course baselines. The needs of the military dictate the course of action and in a war situation, those needs are large and vary daily.

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Current stateside rotations are 12 months.

While you are correct that is the standard, but because we are at war, it is no longer necessarily the norm. Depends on the branch and the particular MOS ( job ).

I hope I have been of some help.
Again, there are standards and there are regulations in place, but even with those, we must remember we are at war.

Once again, the needs of the military dictate the actions.
Translation: many times that means deadlines are extended, repeatedly.

Some service members will do their time now, others will do theirs later.
One way or another, their time will come.

SSM,
Thank you for your input.

These are different times we live in, most likley why this is viewed differently by others.

Thank you TPmom, luvbb, and others.
My hope is that some questions have been answered and that those who are interested have a better knowledge of how the military system works. There are exceptions to different circumstances, and indeed, in time of war, these exceptions are of course more prevalent.
With that said, I must add that it is usually the service member/reservist and their families who get the harder end of the deal. Going on reserve status does not mean one is skipping out on their committment. Just the opposite.

And for those service members who are not deployed, they are working extremely hard to make sure our militray runs as smooth as possible. It takes everyone doing their part in every capacity to ensure we are successful and remain steadfast.

I hope for now that I have been able to enlighten those interested. I by no means have all the rules and regulations memorized but I do have many close resouces who do, should anyone need them. I will do my best to find the correct answer.

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AS stated previously Comittments, and deployments vary..

Talking to USAF connections...Regarding USAF Officer comittments...

...the Air Force for the past five years has been engaging in what they call Force Shaping...basically Reduction In Workforce (RIF) to the tune of about 30% of their Officer staff... many of which are lieutenants, who are either Academy grads or ROTC kids who owe time. With the Downsizing of the Military which actually happened during the Clinton years, they simply are producing more Officer candidates than they need, as regulated by Congress. In some cases they are being paid seperation bonuses to leave and owe nothing in commitment.


44.

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In some cases they are being paid seperation bonuses to leave and owe nothing in commitment.

It has been my understanding that RIF boards can effect all ranks, but most recently ( within the last 10-12 years ) company grade and below. It is true that when there needs to be a reduction in force some service members ( depending on their year group, that is year group of graduation ) are given the choice to voluntarily seperate from the military. They are usually compensated monetarily ( a lump sum ) and their service is ended with no obligation for further service. I am only aware of this occuring to members who have served some time, usually at least two years and not straight fresh out of the Academies.
Perhaps I am wrong, or again, there are exceptions to the rule. OB44, can you pm me your information source? You now have me curious.
If the numbers do not go down enough by those who volunteer to seperate, a RIF board is set into place. Then service members are cut regardless if they wish to stay and serve or not. They usually have 30-60 days to terminate once the board results are made public.

njbb husband (who served in the Army and fought in Vietnam in 68)wanted me to tell the the young man "Congratulations for graduating from the Academy, its a great achievement. and congratulations for being drafted its also a great achievement. I hope you get the opportunity to play baseball before you complete your military service"

From what I understand from this article is that Officer Bolt will be completing at least 2 years of his commitment.
And then may persue a career as a baseball player.
I have a feeling that KB will be fulfilling more then that.
And also will and should take another shot at baseball.

No it's not going to be easy.
But where there's a will there's a way.
Keep making us proud KB.
EH

No baseball for 2 years for Academy grad

Staff report
Posted : Thursday Sep 20, 2007 12:02:43 EDT

An Air Force Academy graduate won’t get to play ball — at least not for two years, according to a decision by a top Defense Department official, the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph reported Wednesday.

Second Lt. Karl Bolt was drafted in the 15th round of this year’s Major League Baseball draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, and sought a waiver or modification of his service commitment. Academy graduates are bound to five years of active duty service, though some athletes have received waivers allowing them to serve two years of active duty and six years on reserve status.

David Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and policy, handed down the decision, which he based on current policy guidelines, the report said. The decision said Bolt must serve at least two years on active duty.

Two years off from baseball would leave Bolt “pretty much done from a skills standpoint,” he was quoted as saying in the Telegraph. “Plus, by then I’d be 23 and interest from Major League Baseball will be gone.”

Bolt, a career .334 hitter, led the Falcons in his senior season in hitting (.349), hits (68), home runs (8), doubles (16), runs (34) and RBI (47). A first-team all-Mountain West Conference selection, Bolt also was selected as the team MVP for the second consecutive season. He made several all-time top 10 lists at the academy, ranking fourth all-time in hits (232) and games played (200), seventh in home runs (33) and eighth in RBI (148).

KB,
I have 1st year players at age 23 just starting pro ball.
You'll be just fine, and more determined then ever to succeed.
EH

Godspeed to Officer Bolt. Let's all hope and pray that he remains safe from harm, and that he's wrong about being done with professional baseball when his active duty is complete.

Academy Dad if you would please, would you pass a message on to your son for me?

Second Lt. Karl Bolt-Thank you for your service. Take your glove and bat with you wherever you go and remember that dreams are only limited by your ability to imagine. If you want to realize your baseball dreams it is possible. I hope you don't mind if I use your story with my two sons to inspire them to the sacrifice, success and dedication you have shown. God bless you and the men and women you serve with.

I can't say it any better than what's been written before. Godspeed. Don't stop believing. Thank you.
Peace. God bless you and and all of the women and men who you serve with.

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Second Lt. Karl Bolt-Thank you for your service. Take your glove and bat with you wherever you go and remember that dreams are only limited by your ability to imagine.

Good luck Second Lt. Bolt - you got a lot of people pulling for you to succeed both in the military and later back on the field.

What a rollercoaster ride you and your family have had! You have accomplished so much - an Air Force Academy degree, playing collegiate ball, and being drafted! Stay safe!