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As an Army Reservist Chaplain Candidate with 13 years of service so far (11.5 of those years as an active duty Infantry Officer and 1.5 of those years in the Army Reserve) I've since accepted that I will not go back on active duty and will instead seek to finish my career in the Army Reserve at 20 years. My question to this group though is this: If possible would it be better to stay in the Reserves past 20 years to shorten the time I would spend in the "grey area retiree" category or just take the 20 year letter and go into the Retired Reserve? What are the benefits to going into the Retired Reserve immediately after receiving your 20 year letter versus staying past 20 years in a drilling status until you're forced to go into the Retired Reserve for whatever reason?
I only ask because the grey area retiree status would last 18 years from age 42 to 60 at which point I wouldn't be eligible for Tricare Reserve Select or drill pay as extra income or all the other privileges that come with being a drilling Reservist. I just wanted some possible clarity and guidance if anybody had any. Thank you and God bless!!!
I only ask because the grey area retiree status would last 18 years from age 42 to 60 at which point I wouldn't be eligible for Tricare Reserve Select or drill pay as extra income or all the other privileges that come with being a drilling Reservist. I just wanted some possible clarity and guidance if anybody had any. Thank you and God bless!!!
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MAJ
MAJ
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 6
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As a retired grunt with time on active duty and in the reserves I would say stay in as long as you can or want to. Tricare health care is awesome compared to what my civilian employer offered. But don't let that be the only reason for staying. If you are a chaplain, find a unit where you can do the Lord's work, doing the most good. We have a lot of hurting and lost souls in our military and in our world as well. If you are in good physical shape, I'd recommend staying in as long as possible. If you have professional educational requirements to complete, get them done. Not sure if chaplains attend ILE or not, but you need to stay current on your ed and professional requirements. Leave the army when it's right for you and your situation. Also, take it to the Lord in prayer, brother!
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CH (LTC) (Join to see)
Chaplains ARE required to attend ILE Common Core for promotion to LTC, and I think ORSLC (AOC equivalent) is required for promotion to COL.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Yes my chain of command recommended I pick an ILE date so my PME requirement would be knocked out for my future LTC board however that will not happen until I actually graduate from seminary in a couple of years. At this stage in my life I'm busy enough as it is trying to balance out graduate level theological coursework, a family, a church, and the Army Reserve. Adding Army ILE to that would cause one of those spinning plates to fall off and I can't afford to let that happen. It is on my radar though come after 2021.
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I am personally thinking of staying in as long as possible to decrease any time in the gray area for me. TRS is a huge benefit, and I do not want to pay for alternative insurance until retirement. Also: in that additional time if you can add rank that you otherwise would not have attained, that will boost your whole retirement.
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My experience is the longer one stays the better the retirement when one counts the retirement points earned as a Reservist. As i look back on my retirement as an enlisted Sailor, I could have enhanced my retirement pay considerably had i gone into the Ready Reserve or stayed until age 60 and retired. Life does get in the way of plans but from what I have observed those who remain longer usually benefit more financially. Tri-Care will happen at age 60 however, Tri-Care for life and Medicare starts at 65. At age 73, I look back and wish I had stayed another 10 years.
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