Can retirement be denied? I have 28 years, Army. Can my CO deny me and say I can't retire right now?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 18:29:48 -0500

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 12 at 2018 7:30 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 19:30:17 -0500

Yes. It is a favorable action.

Edit: sorry for no references, fielded this one from a micro brewery.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jan 12 at 2018 8:28 PM

LTC John Mohor — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 20:28:03 -0500

SFC Timothy Riley I believe a delay is authorized. You might want to speak with some Human Resources professionals! Good luck!

Response by LTC Mark Overberg made Jan 12 at 2018 8:54 PM

LTC Mark Overberg — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 20:54:30 -0500

Yes. See AR 635-200, par. 12-7, “Soldiers who have completed 20 but less than 30 years of AFS and who have completed all required service obligations are eligible, but not entitled, to retire upon request.” Also par. 12-14 “All requests for retirement of eligible Soldiers with less than 30 years of service are considered on their individual merits. Such requests normally should be approved. Requests, however, may be disapproved, or the required date of retirement delayed, based on the best interest of the Army.”

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Jan 12 at 2018 11:19 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 23:19:03 -0500

It took me three times and six years to finally retire, needs of the Army come first. You can see how long he thinks you are needed and work something out with hi, if he is a fair commander and you didn't Piss him off somehow.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Jan 12 at 2018 11:46 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 23:46:30 -0500

Going to have to be the dissenting voice here: Your immediate commander is not the approving authority; that is HRC, or a GO for SSG and below.

You submit your packet through your chain to HRC. The chain's role here is to advise and recommend to the approving authority.
ref. 635-200 12-2,12-12

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2018 2:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 02:08:32 -0500

By regs they can, but if your don't make promotion within the timeline required, you'll be made to retired anyways. I havent seen anyone denied retirement at 28yrs. I've seen folks denied dropping their papers but they were at 19 yrs or 20 at the time of a deployment. If you're a reservist then that's a completely different animal and I'm not familiar with that system.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 13 at 2018 11:39 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 11:39:36 -0500

1, Yes, but rarely. 2. Local Cdr has input, but HRC is ultimate authority. 3. If you are on orders for a deployment, etc then you will be locked in.