Are there any pitfalls for a gray area retiree (O5) currently in the Retired Reserve transferring back into Select Reserve (TPU) as enlisted?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:46:46 -0500

Any pitfalls for a gray area retiree currently in the Retired Reserve transferring back into Select Reserve as enlisted? Total of 25 years prior service including USNR enlisted service and subsequent USAR service as officer. Would SM retire a second time when hit MRD or at age 60? Any other issues or concerns with pay, rank, benefits or retirement?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2020 3:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:54:12 -0500

That's one way to get more points.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2020 5:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 17:17:44 -0500

I had someone in OIF2 with me who retired as an O4 (about 10 years earlier) and enlisted as an E5 just to deploy. When you retire the second time you get retired at the previously held rank when it's higher

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 11:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 11:29:26 -0500

why come back in as enlisted instead of officer? 25 years prior service with some of that being enlisted time you haven't hit MRD on commissioned service. Unless you just want to get back in for points and are happy being an E4 and doing all the crappy things an E4 has to do.

Response by PO1 Orlando Miller made Mar 4 at 2020 2:29 PM

PO1 Orlando Miller — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:29:42 -0500

SMH... I got nothing

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 4 at 2020 4:15 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 16:15:38 -0500

I'm not an expert on the Reserve Component, but why in the world you want to return to active duty or reserve duty at a lower rank? Why not look into ways you could be recalled to active or reserve duty at your current rank. I know some folks who were recalled from the retired list after 9/11 because they volunteered. Retired rated officers were recalled to take on staff jobs requiring rated experience thus allowing younger aircrew members the opportunity to return to flying. Before DOPMA, twice-passed-over officers kept their reserve commission and served on active duty as NCOs to finish out their 20 years of service and then retired at the highest pay grade held. Consequently, you might see Tech Sergeant with Command Pilot Wings. He would later retire with 20 years total service as an O-4 (twice passed over for O-5).

Response by COL David Turk made Mar 5 at 2020 9:30 AM

COL David Turk — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:30:40 -0500

Tangent question. Some of the comments refence coming back as an E-4. Where is this coming from? The ones I’m personally aware of came back as E-6’s, although this was some time ago. It was not unusual to see rifted officers come back as senior NCO’s (to earn a retirement and/or retirement points).

Response by LTC John Shaw made Mar 5 at 2020 1:20 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 13:20:45 -0500

I decided against remaining in the active reserve and reverting back to E-5. As much as I enjoyed my reserve duty I was ready to spend time w/ family after 31 years. You become a 'grey' area retiree and you have some benefits but no pay and no health care. If you are young enough you can focus on WOC school if you are in a technical branch. If warrant is not an option for you then you need to be willing to pursue E-5 to E-6, ready for NCO schools? Your leadership will be much different than it was as an O-5. I think that transition would be difficult but possible.