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Early outs approved for some basic-branch lts.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh has approved a plan that will allow about 150 basic-branch lieutenants to leave active duty early so they can join a National Guard troop unit in fiscal 2010.

The component transfer plan is authorized under the Army National Guard Combat Reform Initiative, a program established by Congress several years ago to improve the readiness of National Guard units.

Specific details for the 2010 program will be announced soon by the Human Resources Command.

However, general guidance from the Pentagon will restrict early out opportunities to lieutenants of the Army Competitive Category who will have 24 to 36 months of commissioned service when they leave active duty.

Releases will be scheduled to occur no earlier than May 1, and no later than Sept. 30.

The program is not open to warrant officers and branch commissioned officers of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Chaplain Corps, Army Medical Department, and aviators who have not completed their initial six-year active-duty service obligation.

To qualify for the program, lieutenants must obtain confirmation of an assignment with a National Guard unit from the appropriate state military personnel office.

Reserve component career counselors can assist officers in locating a unit vacancy. Counselors are located near or at most installations.

For general guidance on this program, consult All-Army Activities message 305/2009, which was issued by the Pentagon on Oct. 28.

Specific guidance will be issued by the Human Resources Command in a MilPer Message.