What law is it that allows you to retire after 17 years in the military?

william k: What law is it that allows you to retire after 17 years in the military?
I’ve seen people retire after 17 years due to things like PRT failures and they always say it’s a law that you can’t get kicked out unless you do something illegal once you hit 17. It makes sense to me because if the military could get away with it they would kick everyone out after 19 and 364 days to save money. Can someone please give me the law or instruction number? I can’t find it anywhere.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Yak Rider
On some occasions the military will offer early retirement as a tool to downsize.

Career military personnel who are kicked out for PRT failure, prior to 20 years, get severance pay at 50% the normal rate. I believe they also keep their insurance for a limited period of time. They do not retire.

Answer by De Deuce
In the officers ranks, if you are ‘passed over” for promotion 3 time you might as well get out. Your life will be nothing but continuous Officer KP from then on.

There is NOTHING unique about the years of service at 17. And the military is NOT in the business to “save money” by kicking people out at 19 years 364 days of service. If you receive a substandard review or a letter of reprimand your career is also over so may as well get out too.

Answer by Shock and Awe
There is no series of laws for active folks unless you get out on a medical retirement.

Here are some ‘laws’ and policies from the DoD. Read through and see what fits your situation:

You need to check your sources and find out where you got the original info. Can’t cut corners and get out early! They used to give money and let you out at 15, but that was in the late 90s. Go talk to transistion or you VA or your personnel. They will probably laugh at you, but it can’t hurt.

Answer by Justin F
I don’t believe there is a Law but there is a president of others basically not getting “forced” out. But weary of this because I know of people (my previous flight chief) who were forcefully retired before they chose too.

If you want an early retirement screw it, you’ve been in 17 three is nothing. They probably won’t even send over seas with that much time. I would just use your time in teaching the young guys the way to not get screwed over. I never had anyone teach me the ways of the military and get shafted so much I got out after 8. I am making twice as much now as a contractor but would have loved to have stayed if I had supervisors who were worth a crap.

Good luck, and remember think everything through… It’s not worth throwing your career away.

Answer by usafbrat64
You can also be discharged from the military based on HYT (high year of tenure).
For example:
You are in the AF, an E-4 with 11 years. If you do not have a line number for E-5, you will be out of a job as soon as you hit 12 years.

Each service has their own HYT system, so the numbers will vary. But, you don’t retire. You are just out. Most do have a HYT step at 20 years, so no one gets caught w/o retirement.

Also, you can be discharged for refusing an assignment. You’re at 19 years. You get a 3 year tour to Germany. You turn it down, you’re out of a job. You’re 9 months of 20 and you get orders for a remote to Korea. You turn it down, you’re out. No retirement! And I’ve seen people do it!! Sorry, I don’t know the reg on that.

The only time I’ve seen enlisted retirements prior to 20 is either medical or because of downsizing.

Answer by pondfish
Generally speaking, enlisted people need to serve 20 years to retire but there are circumstances whereby some can retire with a tad less servive using the 2.5 percent clause. that is 2.5 percent per year of basic pay. this is a rare way to retire and limited to very few.

Answer by cordeliabrainiac
What you are referring to is called sanctuary in the AF. Its 16 years for officers and 18 for enlisted personnel (which doesn’t make sense but there you are). It doesn’t mean you can’t get kicked out but its more strenuous…you pretty much have to commit a felony. Sanctuary does not stop you from being demoted, relieved of duty, etc.

I’ll see if I can’t find you a reference.