Are you on assignment faced with one of two options; re-up or dec? You’ve probably heard of the fabled Dec Statement, but don’t really understand what it is.
I know I didn’t fully understand what it was when I first encountered the term. Legend told that it was my way out of an assignment, but it was pretty certain to end my career thereafter.
Turns out, that wasn’t exactly the case.
I let fear and misunderstanding guide my decision at the time. So, let me help to set the record straight for the rest of you who are lost and confused as I once was.
Then, you can make an informed decision whether to reenlist or ETS.
What is a DCSS?
A Declination of Continued Service Statement (DCSS) is a voluntary election by a service member to decline additional service to satisfy a Service Remaining Requirement (SRR). It is done using a DA Form 4991.
So, what does that really mean?
Let’s say you’re a Soldier placed on assignment instructions requiring an SRR. You have essentially two options. You can either meet the SRR by extending or reenlisting, or you can sign a DCSS.
A DCSS is not a tool for a Soldier to simply decline an assignment because they do not want to go somewhere or do something.
When can you sign a DCSS?
Now that we know what a DCSS is and isn’t, when can you use it?
A Soldier has the option to sign a DCSS only when they are placed on assignment instructions for which they do not meet the SRR. The assignment can be an overseas assignment, an MOS producing school, or select troop schools.
Understand the Consequences of a Dec
Alright, so, you’re on assignment and do not meet the SRR. Before you go ahead and sign that thing, it’s important to note that there are some consequences of doing so.
When you Dec, you are no longer eligible for promotion, nor are you able to apply for or attend a commission or warrant officer program for the remainder of that active duty period.
Also, signing a DCSS does not guarantee you won’t still PCS. You may be placed on another CONUS or OCONUS assignment for which you meet the SRR. DCSS ≠ stabilization.
So, prepare for your one-year, dependent-restricted tour to Korea. Just kidding, but maybe not so much.
Fear not, though, this doesn’t mean a DCSS is irreversible. You do have 45 days from the filing of the DCSS in EDAS, to extend, reenlist, or execute the action.
On the other hand, if you stick to the DCSS, you may be eligible for Voluntary Separation per paragraph 16-3 of Army Regulation 635-200.
Further, you are still eligible for reserve component service and can even return to active duty service. To enlist again, you’ll need to wait until 93 days after your ETS to be eligible. There is no guarantee that you’ll be able to come back in, but there’s a chance.
If you were eligible and opted for Voluntary Separation, you’ll still be eligible for re-entry, however, you won’t be able to until two (2) years have passed.
Initial Term Soldiers
For initial term Soldiers, those with less than 4 years of service and on their first enlistment, things work a little differently. These Soldiers are not required to file the formal DCSS in accordance with Army Regulation 600-8-11 paragraph 2-10e.
Instead, they simply must state in writing that they do not intend to reenlist or extend to meet SRR.
This is an important distinction because the consequences laid out above do not apply in this case.
The choice to continue serving or not isn’t easy, but don’t let misunderstanding and misconception lead you towards a decision you aren’t wholly invested in.
Now that you understand the DCSS, or Dec Statement, you can make a better-informed decision about your future.
