Army Changes Mandatory Retirement/Separation Age
Monday April 10, 2006
The active duty Army has changed the mandatory retirement/separation age for active duty soldiers from age 55 to age 62, according to MILPER Message 06/104. In January, the Army changed their maximum enlistment age from 34 to 39. The change to the maximum separation/retirement age will allow soldiers who enlist at ages greater than 34 to obtain 20 years of service, which is required for active duty retirement pay.
Soldiers with questions pertainng to the new retention eligibility requirements should contact their servicing career counselors.
Soldiers with questions pertainng to the new retention eligibility requirements should contact their servicing career counselors.
Comments
The active duty Army has changed the mandatory retirement/separation age for active duty soldiers from age 55 to age 62. How does this affect tgr Reserve component. Tha maximum first time enlistment was raised to 42 years old. What about the mandatory retirement age? Will it be 62 years old?
Has the change to Title X and DOD instructions been adopted by other services, do you think it will and will this affect prior service members who want to re-affiliate (maybe on an age waiver)?
Will there be a change that will allow Army reservist to stay beyond age 60 as well?
I would like to stay a member of the Army Reserves for another 2 years. I have been Mobilized no for the past 4 years and want to continue to serve. How can I get a waver to do this.
Let’s summarize what we have, thus far, on the S-1 front:
* Age limits, for both initial enlistments and for retention/re-up, have gone to levels once unheard of.
* Levels of recruitment/retention are at all-time highs.
* Enlistment critereon, in terms of education and moral standards, have been lowered.
* Financial inducements, in terms of educational assistance and MOS bonus monies, are at levels consistant with corporate America.
Now let’s look at reality:
* It’s good that qualified, experienced, and motivated Soldiers are allowed to continue serving.
* In effect, the monetary incentives toward military service have, in no small way, created a mercenary-istic force. While the traditional “Uncle Sam Wants You” posters no longer attract the attentions of youth, the military (and corporate America, for that matter) must contend with a “what’s in it for me” generation, becoming part of an organization, the U.S. Military, which, by its very nature, demands a subrogation of self-interest to the organizational goals/mission.
* No one ever accused G.I. Joe of being a genius, or, for that matter, a saint. However, no one, who has served in any capacity short of bottle washer can argue with the fact that all levels of the military have become somewhat more complex than yesteryear. Furthermore, our National/International interests are best-served by instruments, the individual Soldier, of basic moral standard, not alter boys, or Eagle Scouts, but simply young people who have managed, in 18-and-some years, to keep their noses clean (as an NCO, I found many hours tending to basic mama and papa issues, much to the detriment of untended military issues…leadership and counseling do have time limits…after all, the military is not a “no child left behind” organization).
So where do the answers lie? I wish I had them all…all I know is this:
* The Draft, in spite of the inherent difficulties, has served us well in past conflicts.
* While I don’t have any figures to back this up, the Draft has to be a whole lot more cost-effective. Waving a stack of money and tuition support in a kid’s face is not, in my humble opinion, the way to draw the youth of America into Service. Save that expense for Military Personnel who have proven themselves (Retention, MOS re-class, and, yes, VA).
We…that means our National Leadership…need to look at the cause/affect of these issues, not just in the here-and-now, but for future National Security.
Sarge
I agree 100% with your ideals and realization on todays format for future military practice. However, you know just as well as I do, even Uncle Sam, Jr., -is what I call him today-, has his own motivations and alterier motives. As soon as the public catches wind of DRAFT, they scatter and become uncollective. I went in during the 80’s and I am re-enlisting as we speak(type). Retention should always be the number one priority. Why pay to educate the unknowing when ,the ability of soldiers like yourself and I of whom have already been and continue to be,are ready and willing to continue or simply change MOS to fill unoccupied spots. Good Day to you Sarge, God Bless.
Thanks, S-2…continue the march!
Sarge
MSG H:
Go through your MACOM
CHARLIE MIKE!
The Sarge