UQR Processing Halted During Federal Government Shutdown: What It Means for Officers Seeking to Resign
Posted on 10/28/2025 by William C. Meili
If you’re an officer in the U.S. Armed Forces currently navigating an Unqualified Resignation (UQR), you’ve likely already heard—or are now feeling—the effects of the current federal government shutdown.
Here’s the bottom line: UQR processing at the Army’s Human Resources Command (HRC), Fort Knox, Kentucky, has stopped.
What’s Happening at Fort Knox
For at least the past ten days, civilian personnel responsible for receiving and analyzing UQR packets from units across the country have been furloughed or are working without pay.
In government terms, UQR work has been classified as a “non-excepted” activity—that means it’s not essential to immediate government operations and therefore, not being processed until funding resumes.
In short: no new UQR packets are being moved, reviewed, or approved right now.
And this stoppage isn’t just at Fort Knox. Based on years of experience, I suspect NAVPERSCOM in Millington, TN (for Navy officers) and AFPC at Randolph AFB, TX (for Air Force personnel) are under similar restrictions.
How Long Does UQR Processing Normally Take?
Under normal circumstances, the UQR process can take six to twelve months from start to finish. When I’m brought in early, I can often help cut that time in half—typically down to about three to six months, with four months being the average.
But with the current government shutdown, all timelines are on hold. Once funding is restored, there will likely be a backlog of cases waiting for attention.
What You Can Do Right Now
While the government is effectively on pause, that doesn’t mean you have to be. There are still important steps you can take to position your case for success the moment processing resumes.
If you’re preparing a UQR or are already midstream in the process, reach out to me directly. I’ll walk you through what’s still possible under the current constraints and how best to prepare for the post-shutdown restart.
Every officer’s situation is unique, and smart preparation now can make a major difference later.
William C. Meili - Attorney and Counselor at Law, 1205 S. White Chapel Blvd., Suite 100, Southlake, Texas 76092 | 214-363-1828 | meililaw.com | 11/21/2025 | Key Phrases: law firm Southlake Texas |
