No one who writes these stories knows what is involved when an enlisted person makes a “request” of this level of importance. But I’m glad that there is nominally a pathway now. But I can’t wait to see the amount of hoop jumping that will be required for an E5 or below to have this request approved.
They are already denying officers.
Reminds me of the hoops I was required to go though to request permission to buy a motorcycle, and to get married, even as an E-5. If I hadn't just turned 21, I'd even have to get a permission slip from mom & dad. As it was the Commander still send them a letter advising them how dangerous a motorcycle was.
However, Enlisting for four years at age 18, and volunteering for Vietnam was no problem, for those I was an adult.