Can somebody please give clarification on AR 600-8-24?

My UQR packet has been returned from HRC without action. The reason submission is too early. These references were given from AR 600-8-24:
Chapter 2
Release from Active Duty of Reserve Component Commissioned and Warrant Officers
2–5. Voluntary release from active duty due to personal reasons
a. If eligible under the criteria prescribed in paragraph 2–5b, an officer may request REFRAD whenever such action is considered appropriate (see fig 2–1). Unless otherwise specified, application for REFRAD will be submitted not earlier than 12 months or no later than 6 months before the desired release date or beginning date of transition leave, whichever is the earliest.

Chapter 3
Resignations
3–1.
c. Under normal circumstances, any RA officer or USAR officer who has completed their 8-year MSO may submit a request for unqualified resignation, provided all Service remaining requirements have been met. Such application will be submitted not earlier than 12 months or less than 6 months prior to the requested separation date. The 6-month requirement may be waived by the SAA, except in the case of an officer who has not fulfilled the 8-year MSO, or is requesting a Reserve commission concurrent with REFRAD. Appropriate documentation must accompany the request.

The email also said since I am AD I can't submit my packet 12 month prior from my terminal leave start date. I know another pilot who submitted his packet last year and he had no issues, he is in the same situation. A quick research on google brought me to an article of a pilot who went through this process back in 2018, his article mentioned that you can submit UQR packet 12 month prior from your terminal leave start date. Can somebody please clarify this regulation please?

Thank you.