Army
Stop Loss
Message #3
"Stop Loss" is a program which allows the service to temporarily halt all separations and retirement during times of war, deployments, or National Emergency. The Army has issued a "Stop Loss" in conjunction with the "War on Terrorism." Below is the first message issued concerning the Stop Loss Program for the Army:
A. MILPER MESSAGE, TAPC-PDT-PM, 060853ZDEC01, SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF VOLUNTARY SEPARATION OF OFFICER AND ENLISTED SOLDIERS FROM THE ACTIVE ARMY (STOP LOSS) IN SELECTED SPECIALTIES.
B. MSG HQDA, DAPE-MPE, 021635ZDEC01, SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF VOLUNTARY SEPARATION OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED SOLDIERS FROM THE ACTIVE ARMY (STOP LOSS) IN SELECTED SPECIALTIES.
C. MSG HQDA, DAPE-MPE, 281338ZDEC01, SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF VOLUNTARY SEPARATION OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED SOLDIERS FROM THE ARMY-EXPANSION TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND SPECIALTIES AND TO INCLUDE THE READY RESERVE (STOP LOSS 2).
D. AR 135-155 (PROMOTION OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND WARRANT OFFICERS OTHER THAN GENERAL OFFICERS)
E. AR 135-215 (OFFICER PERIODS OF SERVICE ON ACTIVE DUTY)
F. AR 600-8-24 (OFFICER TRANSFERS AND DISCHARGES)
G. AR 601-210 (REGULAR ARMY AND ARMY RESERVE ENLISTMENT PROGRAM)
H. AR 601-280 (ARMY RETENTION PROGRAM)
I. AR 635-200 (ENLISTED PERSONNEL)
1. THIS MESSAGE INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE TO THE INITIAL "STOP LOSS" MESSAGE REFERENCED IN A ABOVE BY ADDING TWO MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALITIES (MOS'S) (37F AND 92M) AND ONE SPECIALTY (39) TO ACTIVE ARMY MOS/SPECIALTIES AFFECTED BY "STOP LOSS. EXPIRATION DATE OF THIS MSG CANNOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME.
2. AS A RESULT OF APPROVAL OF A LIMITED "STOP LOSS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH REFERENCES B AND C, ABOVE, THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATIONS GOVERNING VOLUNTARY RETIREMENTS, SEPARATIONS, AND REFRADS OF MEMBERS OF THE ACTIVE ARMY (ACTIVE ARMY DOES NOT INCLUDE ACTIVE GUARD RESERVE (AGR) STATUS PERSONNEL OR THOSE SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY PURSUANT TO THE CALL OF THE PRESIDENT (10 USC 12304)), AS OUTLINED IN PARTS I (ENLISTED), II (OFFICERS), AND III (ALL), BELOW, ARE SUSPENDED FOR SPECIFIC SPECIALTIES/MOS'S.
3. PART I FOR ENLISTED SOLDIERS: EFFECTIVE 15 JAN 02 , ALL ENLISTMENTS, REENLISTMENTS, EXTENSIONS, PERIODS OF OBLIGATED SERVICE, AND OTHER PERIODS OF ACTIVE DUTY (EXCEPT ACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING) FOR ACTIVE ARMY SOLDIERS WHO POSSESS A PRIMARY MOS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH 3(A) BELOW, ARE EXTENDED, SUBJECT TO THE EXCEPTIONS NOTED IN PARAGRAPH 5, BELOW, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THIS APPLIES ONLY TO SOLDIERS WITH AN ETS (EXPIRATION OF SOLDIER'S SERVICE OBLIGATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS MESSAGE) OF 15 JAN 02 OR LATER. IT DOES NOT, HOWEVER, APPLY TO THOSE WHO WOULD EXCEED THEIR ETS BECAUSE OF THE AGE LIMITATIONS OF AR 601-280 OR WHO EXCEED 30 YEARS OF TOTAL ACTIVE SERVICE. THOSE SOLDIERS CONTINUE TO ETS AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED. SOLDIERS IN MOS 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18Z, 67U, AND 00Z (CMF 18 BACKGROUND), WHO BEGAN TRANSITION LEAVE BY 2 DEC 01, WILL CONTINUE TO ETS. SOLDIERS IN MOS 37F AND 92M WHO BEGAN TRANSITION LEAVE BY 28 DEC 01, WILL CONTINUE TO ETS. ALL OTHER ENLISTED SOLDIERS, AS OUTLINED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (A), BELOW, WILL BE RETAINED, SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH 5, BELOW.
(A) MOS 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18Z, 37F, 67U, 92M, AND 00Z (CMF 18 BACKGROUND).
(B) THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES APPLY. SOLDIERS WHOSE CURRENT ETS FALLS WITHIN THE PERIOD 15 JAN 02 THROUGH 30 SEP 02 AND WHO POSSESS A MOS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH 3(A), WILL HAVE THEIR ETS CHANGED TO 24 DEC 2031 IN THE TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL DATA BASE (TAPDB) BY HQDA (THIS IS A NOTIONAL AND ARBITRARY DATE FOR TRACKING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE SOLDIER'S TRUE ETS DATE). THIS ETS CHANGE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY POSTED TO THE DEFENSE JOINT MILITARY PAY SYSTEMS (DJMS), THE DEFENSE ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM (DEERS), AND STANDARD INSTALLATION/DIVISION PERSONNEL SYSTEM (SIDPERS). INSTALLATIONS SHOULD SEE ETS DATES CHANGE IN SIDPERS AND WILL BE ABLE TO QUERY THE SIDPERS DATA BASE USING AD HOC QUERY TO IDENTIFY SOLDIERS THAT HQDA INDICATES ARE AFFECTED BY "STOP LOSS." INSTALLATIONS WILL NEED TO SPECIALLY MANAGE THESE SOLDIERS TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT SEPARATE PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION OF THEIR "STOP LOSS" STATUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDANCE PROVIDED AT A LATER DATE (IN DEMOBILIZATION INSTRUCTIONS) BY HQDA. UPON TERMINATION OF "STOP LOSS," ETS DATES WILL BE READJUSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEMOBILIZATION INSTRUCTIONS. HQDA POINT OF CONTACT IS FIELD SYSTEMS DIVISION HELP DESK, COMMERCIAL 1-866-433-9196.
(C) COMMANDERS WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE ENLISTED PERSONNEL TO REENLIST OR EXTEND. PERSONNEL WHO REENLIST AT ANY TIME DURING THE PERIOD OF INVOLUNTARY EXTENSION, CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ACCRUED LEAVE (AUTHORITY 30 COMPTROLLER GENERAL 531: B-118-973, 14 JUN 54 AND B131928, 22 AUG 57).
(D) ENLISTED PERSONNEL WHO POSSESS SPECIALTIES LISTED IN PARAGRAPH 3(A) ABOVE AND ARE AT TRANSITION CENTERS AWAITING SEPARATION FROM ACTIVE DUTY (NOT INCLUDING RETIREES) OR HAVE DEPARTED THEIR UNITS AND ARE RETURNING FROM OCONUS ASSIGNMENTS ENROUTE TO A TRANSITION CENTER FOR SEPARATION FROM ACTIVE DUTY (WITH AN ETS DATE OF 15 JAN 02 OR LATER), WILL BE HELD AT THE TRANSITION CENTER, PENDING DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 5(D), BELOW. TRANSITION CENTERS WILL REQUEST DISPOSITION BY TELEPHONE FROM COMMANDER, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-EPS ; CPT CONLEY, DSN 221-4405.
(E) PERSCOM POC FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING ETS AND RETENTION IS MR. CANADA, DSN 221-6806.
4. PART II FOR OFFICERS (COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT): APPLICABILITY. "STOP LOSS" WILL BE APPLIED SERVICE-WIDE ONLY AS SPECIFIED IN THE SELECTED SPECIALTIES AND SKILL IDENTIFIERS LISTED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (A) - (D), BELOW, FOR ACTIVE ARMY OFFICERS AND WARRANT OFFICERS WHO ARE SCHEDULED TO RETIRE OR SEPARATE ON OR AFTER 15 JAN 02:
(A) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS WITH SPECIALTY 18 (THOSE NOT IN THE OPERATIONS CAREER FIELD ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS "STOP LOSS" MESSAGE) AND OFFICERS WITH SPECIALTY 39.
(B) WARRANT OFFICERS WITH SPECIALTY 180A.
(C) AVIATION WARRANT OFFICERS WITH SPECIALTIES 152C, 153D, 153E, 154C, AND 154E.
(D) WARRANT OFFICERS WITH ADDITIONAL SKILL IDENTIFIERS K4, K5, OR K6.
(E) EXTENSION OF TERMS OF SERVICE.
(1) RA OFFICERS AND OTRA OFFICERS (ON THE ACTIVE DUTY LIST) WITHOUT AN END OF CURRENT SERVICE (ECUR) DATE WILL REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY IN AN INDEFINITE STATUS.
(2) OTRA OFFICERS SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY (ON THE ACTIVE DUTY LIST) WITH AN END OF CURRENT SERVICE (ECUR) DATE ON OR AFTER 15 JAN 02, ARE EXTENDED ON ACTIVE DUTY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
(F) ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.
(1) FOR RA OFFICERS AND OTRA OFFICERS WITHOUT AN ECUR DATE, NO ACTION IS NECESSARY TO RETAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY IN AN INDEFINITE STATUS. FOR OTRA OFFICERS WITH AN ECUR DATE, THE ECUR DATE WILL BECOME 24 DEC 2031 IN THE TAPDB (THIS IS A NOTIONAL AND ARBITRARY DATE FOR TRACKING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT REFLECT OFFICER'S TRUE ECUR DATE). THE ECUR DATE CHANGE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY POSTED TO THE DEFENSE JOINT MILITARY PAY SYSTEMS (DJMS), THE DEFENSE ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM (DEERS), AND STANDARD INSTALLATION/DIVISION PERSONNEL SYSTEM (SIDPERS). INSTALLATIONS SHOULD SEE THE CURR SVC AGRMT/EXPR DATES (THE ECUR DATES AS REFLECTED IN SIDPERS) CHANGE (FOR AFFECTED OFFICERS) AND WILL BE ABLE TO QUERY THE SIDPERS DATA BASE USING AD HOC QUERY TO IDENTIFY THESE OFFICERS. INSTALLATIONS WILL NEED TO SPECIALLY MANAGE THEIR OFFICERS AFFECTED BY "STOP LOSS" TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT SEPARATE PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION OF THEIR "STOP LOSS" STATUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDANCE PROVIDED AT A LATER DATE (IN DEMOBILIZATION INSTRUCTIONS) BY HQDA. UPON TERMINATION OF "STOP LOSS," ECUR DATES WILL BE READJUSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEMOBILIZATION INSTRUCTIONS. HQDA POC IS FIELD SYSTEMS DIVISION HELP DESK, COMMERCIAL 1-866-433-9196.
(2) OFFICERS WHO POSSESS THE SPECIALTIES AND SKILL IDENTIFIERS IN PARAGRAPHS 4(A), 4(B), 4(C) AND 4(D) ABOVE, HAVE AN ECUR OF DATE OF 15 JAN 02 OR LATER, AND ARE AT OR ENROUTE TO A TRANSITION CENTER AWAITING VOLUNTARY SEPARATION WILL BE HELD AT THE TRANSITION CENTER PENDING DETERMINATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 5(D), BELOW. TRANSITION CENTERS WILL REQUEST DISPOSITION BY TELEPHONE FROM THE OFFICER'S RESPECTIVE CAREER BRANCH MANAGER AT PERSCOM. WHEN REQUESTING DISPOSITION, INFORMATION REGARDING THESE OFFICERS WILL BE REPORTED IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT: NAME, GRADE, SSN, AND BRANCH/MOS/FUNCTIONAL AREA.
(3) OFFICERS, WHOSE VOLUNTARY RETIREMENTS OR SEPARATIONS ARE SUSPENDED, MAY REMAIN ASSIGNED TO THEIR CURRENT UNIT. THEIR RESPECTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL DIVISION OR PSB WILL RESCIND THE ORDER. NEW SEPARATION DATES WILL BE DETERMINED BY HQDA IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEMOBILIZATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFICERS WHOSE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED VOLUNTARY RETIREMENTS AND SEPARATIONS WERE SUSPENDED.
5. PART III FOR ALL:
(A) OFFICER AND ENLISTED SOLDIERS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES WILL CONTINUE TO RETIRE, SEPARATE, OR REFRAD IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNING REGULATIONS:
(1) SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE FOR MANDATORY RETIREMENT.
(2) SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT, SEPARATION FOR PHYSICAL DISABILITY OR OTHER PHYSICAL CONDITIONS.
(3) SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE FOR SEPARATION FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, E.G., SURVIVING SONS OR DAUGHTERS, PARENTHOOD, PREGNANCY, FAILURE TO MEET PROCUREMENT MEDICAL FITNESS STANDARDS.
(4) SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE FOR SEPARATION BECAUSE OF DEPENDENCY OR HARDSHIP.
(5) SOLDIERS WHOSE QUALITY OF SERVICE WARRANTS SEPARATION, (E.G., MISCONDUCT, POOR DUTY PERFORMANCE, QUALITATIVE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (QMP), ALCOHOL OR DRUG REHABILITATION FAILURE, AND PUNITIVE DISCHARGES UNDER THE UCMJ). COMMANDERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO SEPARATE SOLDIERS FAILING THE APFT WHEN THEY DETERMINE, AS A RESULT OF THE CURRENT SITUATION, SUCH SEPARATION IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ARMY.
(6) SOLDIERS IN VIOLATION OF THE ARMY'S HOMOSEXUAL CONDUCT POLICY.
(7) SOLDIERS WHO DO NOT MEET BODY FAT STANDARDS. COMMANDERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO SEPARATE SOLDIERS WHO FAIL TO MEET BODY FAT STANDARDS WHEN THEY DETERMINE, AS A RESULT OF THE CURRENT SITUATION, SUCH SEPARATION IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ARMY.
(8) SOLDIERS WHO ARE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.
(9) SOLDIERS WHO DO NOT MEET MILITARY PERSONNNEL SECURITY PROGRAM STANDARDS.
(10) SOLDIERS WHOM EITHER THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY OR ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY (M&RA) HEREAFTER DETERMINES ARE NOT ESSENTIAL TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES.
(B) ALL OTHER RETIREMENTS, SEPARATIONS, AND REFRADS (FOR SOLDIERS IDENTIFIED IN PARAGRAPHS 3(A), 4(A), 4(B), 4(C) AND 4(D) ABOVE) FOR REASONS NOT MENTIONED IN PARAGRAPH 5(A) ABOVE WILL BE SUSPENDED.
(C) EFFECTIVE 28 DEC 01, NO NEW TRANSITION LEAVES WILL BE APPROVED FOR SOLDIERS IDENTIFIED IN PARAGRAPHS 3(A), 4(A), 4(B), 4(C), AND 4(D). SOLDIERS IN MOS 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18Z, 67U, OOZ (CMF 18 BACKGROUND) OR SPECIALTY 180A, 152C, 153D, 153E, 154C, 154E OR WITH AN ADDITIONAL SKILL IDENTIFIER OF K4, K5, OR K6, WHO HAVE BEGUN TRANSITION LEAVE PRIOR TO 2 DEC 01, WILL CONTINUE TO RETIRE/SEPARATE/REFRAD. SOLDIERS IN MOS 37F AND 92M OR SPECIALTY 39, WHO BEGAN TRANSITION LEAVE PRIOR TO 28 DEC 01, WILL CONTINUE TO RETIRE/SEPARATE/REFRAD. NOTE THAT ONLY SOLDIERS WHO HAVE CONDUCTED FINAL OUTPROCESSING AND HAVE CLEARED THEIR INSTALLATION/TRANSITION CENTER, ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE OFFICIALLY BEGUN TRANSITION LEAVE. ALL OTHER SOLDIERS, AS OUTLINED IN THIS MESSAGE, WILL BE RETAINED.
(D) SOLDIERS SCHEDULED FOR RETIREMENT, SEPARATION, OR REFRAD WHO AS OF 28 DEC 01 HAVE ALREADY SHIPPED HOUSEHOLD GOODS, OR HAVE ALREADY RETURNED THEIR DEPENDENTS FROM AN OCONUS ASSIGNMENT, OR HAVE ALREADY SHIPPED THEIR PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLE FROM AN OCONUS ASSIGNMENT, WILL ALSO RETIRE/SEPARATE/REFRAD ON THEIR APPROVED DATE.
(E) AT TIME OF RETIREMENT/SEPARATION/REFRAD FOR SOLDIERS WHOSE PERIODS OF SERVICE OR ORDERS TO ACTIVE DUTY (AS APPROPRIATE) HAVE BEEN EXTENDED UNDER THE PROVISION OF THIS MESSAGE, ITEM 18, DD FORM 214, WILL SHOW THE REMARK, "RETENTION AUTHORIZED FOR [SPECIFY NUMBER DAYS FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, 10 USC 12305."
(F) SOLDIERS IDENTIFIED IN PARAGRAPHS 3(A), 4(A), 4(B), 4(C), AND 4(D) ABOVE, WHOSE ECUR/ETS DATES ARE ADJUSTED AS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPHS 3(B) AND 4(F) ABOVE, WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PAY AND ALLOWANCES WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. INSTALLATIONS WILL COORDINATE ALL OTHER PAY-RELATED ACTIONS WITH THEIR LOCAL FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING OFFICE. INSTALLATIONS WILL ALSO COORDINATE WITH APPROPRIATE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR ID CARDS AND FAMILY SUPPORT ISSUES.
(G) EXCEPTIONS
TO POLICY. PERSONNEL WHO HAVE COMPELLING COMPASSIONATE REASONS OR WHOSE RETIREMENT
OR SEPARATION WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE SERVICE, CAN SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
FOR EXCEPTION TO POLICY WITH COMPLETE JUSTIFICATION THROUGH COMMAND CHANNELS
TO COMMANDER, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-PDT-PM, 200 STOVALL STREET, ALEXANDRIA
VA, 22332.
6. THE STOP-LOSS PROGRAM MAY BE EXPANDED, TO INCLUDE RESERVE COMPONENT SOLDIERS NOT IN THE ACTIVE ARMY, AS OPERATIONAL NEEDS DICTATE.
7. PERSCOM POC FOR ENLISTED RETIREMENT/SEPARATION ACTIONS IS SGM ALLEYNE (PRIMARY), DSN 221-5519 OR MR. NAUGHTON (ALTERNATE), DSN 221-4741.
8. PERSCOM POC FOR OFFICER RETIREMENT/SEPARATION ACTIONS IS CPT DOUGHERTY (PRIMARY), DSN 221-5704 OR MAJ COCHRAN (ALTERNATE), DSN 221-3912.
