Hundreds of Army aviation officers who have been making plans for life after the military were surprised recently when they were informed that their contracts require an extra three years of service—an extension for which many had not planned.
Between 2008 and 2020, cadets commissioning from the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) or Army Cadet Command were able to improve their chances of getting a preferred military assignment by signing what’s known as a Branch of Choice Active Duty Service Obligation (BRADSO) contract. These BRADSO contracts entail signing on for an additional three years of active duty service in exchange for the increased chance of receiving a preferred assignment.
