But I am very skeptical that orders were written for 729 days. Typically, we have seen Reserve/Guard call-ups for 12 to 15 months, and then there are the extensions that are issued due to necessity. But initial orders for 22 months - doesn’t seem correct.
Now - in the reserve world, there is careful attention to ensuring that no Reservist accumulates 18 years of active service, since that would automatically allow the member to stay on active duty for another 2 years, and then start drawing an immediate retirement, instead of a retirement that starts at age 60. To prevent this from happening, no further active duty orders are issued to someone who gets 16 years of active duty “on the books.” (In my 30 years of active/reserve time, I had about 10 years of active duty time ...). This policy is enacted by Congressional Mandate!!
So I would want to see if there were, in fact, actual orders for 729 days, vs. much shorter call-up orders, and then additional accumulated time. Note also - the DoD/Pentagon has to operate by Congressional mandates, and the DoD can’t go about issuing orders that kick in additional benefits if Congress has issued mandates that the DoD can’t do so ....so ultimately, I suspect the root of the problem will be Congressional mandates, not heartless/unfeeling Pentagon people.
Mike
We have had 3 soldiers in my unit who hit sanctuary for active duty retirement.
When 2 of the soldiers hit the 18 year mark, they got orders to an active duty post and finished off their time.
The last soldier was unique. He got out at 17 years due to a bad divorce where he didn’t want to pay his ex wife and didn’t like the army sending him to Korea. He shouldn’t have been mobilized, due to the law. This LTC did his last 2 years and a few months in the Reserves. Once he hit 20, he called his branch and asked for his retirement orders.
Normally I would think the army would really screen this so it doesn’t happen, but with the shortages in upper grades, they know they get another soldier for at least 2 years.
So it’s our politicians who are screwing over vets. I am not surprised. The only species worse than politician are bureaucrat and lawyer and politicians have the worst aspects of both.