So there is a little confusion in terms that I want to set straight. There are two processes involved in ETSing (early termination of service). One is ACAP, which stands for Army Career and Alumni Program. ACAP is a service or office on your installation that helps you transition out of the Army. It can also be called "Soldier for Life" and "TAP (Transition Assistance Program)." In addition to providing you help finding a job and advice on benefits as a veteran, it is also the mechanism your installation uses to ensure you've received all of the transition briefings. At the end of your ACAP experience, you'll receive a counseling form that confirms you completed "ACAPing", and you will present this form to the Retention or Separation office. Without this form you will not be able to receive the all important DD214 separation paperwork. Without that, you're not officially out of the Army. But ACAP does not actually start the separation process, it just is briefings to help you in your transition. To start separating, Officers need to submit a "UQR" or UnQualified Resignation packet.
The UQR packet should include a few memoranda, in accordance with AR 600-8-24. These forms include a memorandum you sign directed at HRC requesting an Unqualified Resignation from Active Duty and a transition into one of the reserve components for the remainder of your total obligation. You can opt for National Guard, Reserve, or Inactive Ready Reserve. The last one means you do basically nothing except update your address once a year in an online system.
The second form is a SHARP statement in which you divulge whether or not you were sexually assaulted while in the Army, and whether or not that experience has contributed to your desire to resign. This memorandum is also directed at HRC.
Next you will have two separate memoranda, one signed by your Battalion Commander affirming that he or she has counseled you on your options in the military and ensured you have a good transition plan. The second one is signed by your Brigade Commander and states the same thing.
The final memorandum for your UQR packet is from your local Guard/Reserve Retention office. This memorandum verifies your inactive obligation, confirms that they tried to sell you on going into the Guard or Reserve, and confirms your desire to go into one of the three reserve mechanisms for your inactive obligation.
With those five memoranda signed, you can then submit the packet to HRC. Word is it takes them approximately two months to process. Again, a word of warning, the earliest they are authorized to release you is six months AFTER HRC approves your release. So if they take longer on your packet than you anticipate and you don't get approval from them until 3 months from your desired ETS date, then you'll have to stay on for at least 3 more months past that date.
Thank you for sharing this. I'm getting ready to begin the same process. I've contemplated for the past year on what to do. I had the same worries and reasons as you. It's a relief to see someone who has gone through the same process and allows me to learn from your experience.
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