The “Deploy-Or-Out” Policy
There has been a recent push throughout all military branches to decrease the number of “non-deployable” troops. The Army Chief of Staff said he wants 100% of military personnel ready to deploy by 2023. As a result of this push, the Pentagon rolled out the “deploy-or-out” policy, effective 1 October 2018. Under this policy, any military member on a profile that renders them “non-deployable” for more than 12 months “does not belong in the U.S. Military.” This means that there will be a significant increase in the number of administrative separations for military members. Military members will be separated due to illnesses and injuries while on Active Duty.
Opinion
My comments on this policy are made in my capacity, and as such, they should not be construed as anything else than subjective opinion. As a veteran, I understand that we need fit and ready-to-fight troops. As a former active-duty officer and a member of the reserves, I pride myself on achieving the maximum possible Air Force fitness test score every year. I have achieved that perfect score for more than six straight years. Even with my current fitness levels and lack of physical limitations for deployment purposes, there have been times in my career when I suffered two different training-related injuries in the same year. I was on a profile for over two years, which would have been about 12 months. While I would not have met the “deploy-or-out” policy, I may have come very close.
Policy Results
As with any one-size-fits-all policy the military adopts, this policy will result in unintended consequences. It will ultimately hurt military members and their families due to administration separations. Consequently, there will be those who will lose the opportunity to earn a military retirement even though they have:
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invested fifteen-plus years in serving the military,
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have been deployed multiple times, and
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moved their families worldwide.
Military members invest time, energy, and the best healthy years of their lives in military service. Any policy that results in mass discharges for entire categories of troops will have a tremendous negative impact on military families and hurt morale. I sincerely hope commanders at all levels will be given the discretion to consider each case individually. Suppose you or someone you know is facing administrative separation from the military under this policy or for any reason.
You must understand your options and have someone to help you fight for your career. The experienced attorneys at Crisp and Associates have over 30 years of combined experience representing military members and advising Commanders at all levels of command. If you have adverse action, Non-Judicial Punishment, administrative separation, or court-martial, please call Crisp and Associates, LLC for a free consultation.
