If I enlist with the NG and then submit retirement paperwork, will the retirement negate my remaining service obligation?

SGT Harvey Watson — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 23:28:38 -0500

I am an active duty NCO with prior service National Guard time. I am about to ETS from active duty and will be at 20. HRC retirements branch said If I want to collect the 20 year Guard Reserve retirement (which I qualify for) I will need to be actively drilling. I am trying to do the least of an enlistment possible (I know that sounds bad but I have done my time) I don't think they will do a year enlistment so it looks like the minimum I could do is 3. This being said If you sign an enlistment contract with them and drop retirement will the retirement negate the remaining service obligation? or will you have to fulfil the remaining obligation. I already asked and was told IRR would not suffice I would have to be actively drilling to drop the paperwork. I was just curious if anyone else has ever encountered this issue and may be able to provide some insight or ideas. About 6 months out from separating so I need to be making some decisions.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 7 at 2017 11:33 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 23:33:53 -0500

Hey, I'm retired, not in your shoes, BUT it seems to me like this is nothing but that last hoop to jump which you can do standing on your head. Look at it this way: if you have to do a couple years extra, you will have more retirement pay, probably a little more rank which boosts the retirement pay. There is always a silver lining.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 8 at 2017 7:57 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 07:57:57 -0500

OK, question one is have you received “Notification of Eligibility For Retired Pay at Age 60,” or more commonly, the 20 year letter? If not, I would be certain that I had 20 creditable years before I made any decisions. I'm not sure what HRC is telling you, you wouldn't be eligible to apply for a Reserve/Guard pension until 9 months before your 60th birthday and there are damn few of us that are active at that time. What generally happens in the Guard/Reserves is that you are transferred to ARHC as a retired reserve, which allows you to get your grey area retire benefits and keeps you on the TIS role. Then you apply for retirement in the window before you 60th birthday. You can still attend drills for points as a retired reservist if you get permission.
A final note, they no longer mail the retirement packets out when you approach you 60th birthday, so you will have to contact HRC to start the application process.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2019 2:23 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 14:23:05 -0500

I would think the 3yr obligation would be the amount of time it would take to get your 365 retirement points for your final active duty year. Example is a 2 days drill gives you 4 retirement points. You do not get points for any days your not on orders. I recommend finding some military schools and get your last 365 points quicker then retire.