Is going into the IRR after 17 years of service in the National Guard an option to complete the time and still retire at 20 years?

2021-04-18T09:56:29-04:00

I am coming up on 17 years of service, all Nat. Guard with two deployments under my belt. I have around 3 1/2 - 4 years left on my contract (I'd have to look to be exact) and am in school full-time. I am burnt out with fighting with command over school and drill dates that constantly change to suit the needs of one particular section and there are not and slots to transfer to. Could I transfer to the IRR to complete the time in my contract and still retire at 20 years?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2021 10:32 AM

2021-04-18T10:32:57-04:00

I don't think the IRR is what you want. You may want to look into IMA where you have a lot of flexibility to do your drills and orders all at once. Some reserve units will let you do that as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2021 11:16 AM

2021-04-18T11:16:45-04:00

You can transfer into the IRR but you won't earn the points for retirement. You could always finish school and return from the IRR to finish your retirement.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2021 1:12 PM

2021-04-18T13:12:07-04:00

17 years and an E5?

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 18 at 2021 5:08 PM

2021-04-18T17:08:22-04:00

What is the rush to get 20 unless you are old? Do what you need to do now to get school done (staying in the good graces of the NG) and come back later to finish to 20. Generally speaking you do not get much in the means of benefits from the NG until close to 60 and you probably have plenty of years between now and then to finish school and get your 20 in.

Response by MSG William Wold made Apr 18 at 2021 8:01 PM

2021-04-18T20:01:37-04:00

I don’t believe you accrue points . Whatever you do DO NOT leave until you have your verification of 20 year letter in hand! You could get to 60 and be short even a few points. And no way to recoupe.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2021 10:41 PM

2021-04-18T22:41:34-04:00

Agree with all the other comments. You will only receive 15 points per year in the IRR not good enough for a good year towards retirement. Best wishes on your decision.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2021 12:06 AM

2021-04-19T00:06:25-04:00

Be aware IRR rules have changed for National Guard in the last few years. IMA sounds to be a better choice.

You will not except under extraordinary circumstances you will not get enough points in IRR to be able to retire at 20 years.

You are in a tough spot.

Is it possible to transfer to the Army Reserve? I can't speak for the Army Reserve, but in my experience, the reserves(Navy, Air Force) are more flexible with drills.

Response by CPO Larry Cox made Apr 19 at 2021 3:49 PM

2021-04-19T15:49:26-04:00

Don’t do it!! Just finish. I did the same thing, was told, all I had to do was get a physical each year and do a correspondence course each quarter. After 2 years of doing this, they had no record and wouldn’t take my copies. Ended up going back on duty and finishing

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2021 2:14 PM

2021-04-20T14:14:30-04:00

What MOS's do you hold and what state are you in? This info may be helpful to offer other options not already discussed.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2021 5:09 AM

2021-04-28T05:09:54-04:00

You can transfer to the IRR and collect retirement points to retire. At least you can in the USAR. In order to get retirement points in the IRR, you must be officially attached to a unit and drill for points only. I have done this within the past two years prior to coming out of IRR long enough to finish my time and get my 20 year letter. When you are attached to a unit, you are still IRR but that unit is responsible for processing your DA 1380 for retirement points.