Do active duty years in a different branch count towards retirement in your new branch of service?

SPC Onel Cruz — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:43:22 -0400

Prior service Marine now in the Army thinking of sticking this out till the end. Just wondering if I have to start over from scratch and do a whole 20 years in that branch for retirement or if my active duty years in the Corps count towards that.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Sep 5 at 2019 1:48 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:48:52 -0400

All active duty years count.

So, if you did six years in the Corps, you would do 14 years in the Army to complete the 20-years.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 5 at 2019 1:56 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:56:52 -0400

You will not lose any AD time.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Sep 5 at 2019 2:11 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 14:11:54 -0400

It’s military service time so I’ll let you think about that!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2019 2:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 14:12:35 -0400

It’s all credible service towards retirement minus periods or unauthorized absense i.e. AWOL or incarnation. If the latter two don’t apply; you’re G2G.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Sep 5 at 2019 2:14 PM

SFC Michael D. — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 14:14:31 -0400

Of Course.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2019 4:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:23:03 -0400

PLEASE ( Maj Landgren is correct) but please for the love of all things holy GO TO YOUR UNIT ADMINISTRATOR AND HAVE HER/HIM PULL YOUR RETIREMENT POINTS WORKSHEET AND ENSURE IT IS CORRECT. DO NOT WAIT. You can pull your own DA Form 5016 from your HRC portal. I recommend reviewing it to ensure all of your time was transferred.

Response by MSG Wayne Allies made Sep 5 at 2019 4:48 PM

MSG Wayne Allies — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:48:53 -0400

Yes, it does, it does not matter which branch of service you served in it all counts toward time in service for retirement. Plus take you DD-214 from the Marine Corps to your Personnel Actions Center and insure that your time in the Marine Corps is documented in your record.

Response by CPT David McDonald made Jan 2 at 2020 4:49 PM

CPT David McDonald — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:49:08 -0500

It all counts toward retirement.

Response by CDR William Kempner made Mar 8 at 2021 6:43 PM

CDR William Kempner — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:43:32 -0500

Yes. I was USAF Captain(O-3) Resigned my commission, enlisted in USN, WENT TO OCS, and back up the ranks. Left Active as LT(O-3), since promoted to O-4, and O-5. BUT ALL ACTIVE TIME COUNTED TOWARDS RETIREMENT, except the time at OCS.

Response by MAJ Mark Steskal made Mar 11 at 2021 12:16 PM

MAJ Mark Steskal — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 12:16:46 -0500

Active Reserve time counts as well. Three branches, 2 1/2 ears AD+ 3 1/2 years reserves, 3 years AD + 14 years Break in service +13 years National Guard = 22 years = Retirement.

Response by Maj Maria Avellaneda made May 23 at 2021 9:50 PM

Maj Maria Avellaneda — Sun, 23 May 2021 21:50:03 -0400

Of course!