There is no escape
If it's like last time, NOBODY escaped. Even those being involuntarily separated due to promotion were affected. I have a Lt Col friend who was on terminal leave. He was pulled back on active duty, "forced" to pin on his rank of O-6 Colonel that he was awarded before he put in his papers, and then shipped off to Guam to run the C-5 Stage. He ended up getting out when they lifted stop-loss last time, as a O-5 (because he didn't want to stay on active duty for 2 years to retire as O-6.
My last date is 31 Dec. I don't know if I'm going to get there though, with Bush winning the support he needs. In as much as I'd like the $$ in these lean times, and help kick Saddam's BUTT, I think I'd rather get out now before I get shipped out AGAIN.