Gray area retirees

MSgt Keith Hebert — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:11:32 -0400

How many gray area retirees are out there

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 2:27 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:27:12 -0400

Could you clarify what a "gray area retiree" is? I can think of several definitions, but have never heard/read this term before.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 3:15 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:15:25 -0400

MSgt Keith Hebert I am a gray area retiree.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Aug 13 at 2014 3:17 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:17:20 -0400

Here is the question?
Can a gray go back into the reserves/guard

Response by COL Randall C. made Aug 13 at 2014 5:33 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:33:40 -0400

MSgt Keith Hebert, the answer to your question (can a gray go back into the reserve/guard) is yes. What you would do is apply to transfer from the retired reserves (which is where you are as a GAR) to another status.

Look at AR 140-10, chapter 6. That has all the info you're looking for. Not sure what the AF reg is for it, but I'm sure it's out there and follows along the same process.

Response by CMSgt Robert Gates made Aug 13 at 2014 8:13 PM

CMSgt Robert Gates — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 20:13:53 -0400

I served 12 years active duty Air Force and then entered the reserves where I served another 24 years. I retired at age 55 with 36 total military years. I did not feel that I was completely retired until I turned 60 years of age and started to receive Air Force retired pay and received my grey ID card. I now feel that I am in the same ranks as other retired Chiefs.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 14 at 2014 9:29 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 21:29:47 -0400

T-14 years and counting!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 10:02 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 22:02:31 -0400

Bottom line, a Gray Area Retiree has transferred from the Selected Reserve to the Retired Reserve and no longer drills or gets paid. They're retired, but they can't claim retired pay until age 60.

For me personally, I have either about a year and a half, about five years, or about eight years left before I get to that status.

I get looked at in April for CW3, and find out in July. If I make it, I'll get promoted in July 2016, and hang around for at LEAST 3 more years if I've got a good, challenging position that utilizes my skills for the benefit of the Army Reserve, then reevaluate my situation after 3 years as a CW3.

If I get passed over, I'll retire immediately. No sense in hanging around waiting to be passed over twice.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2017 9:13 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 21:13:32 -0400

Former one. From July 1986 til Dec 2002.

A gray arae retiree is one who is retired for a reserve program but doesn't receive pay nor medical benefits until age 60. Also limited commissary benefit.

Response by LtCol Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2017 7:54 AM

LtCol Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 07:54:44 -0400

Ten active, 14 + reserves with multiple recalls (= 5 DD-214s). T-4.5 years before the paycheck kicks in.

Response by SFC Andrew Dowell made Apr 5 at 2017 8:45 PM

SFC Andrew Dowell — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 20:45:21 -0400

Current gray area retirees ( if you deployed after 2008) get there deployment time subtracted from age 60, it gives you a chance to collect earlier

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jan 12 at 2019 8:59 AM

1SG David Niles — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 08:59:25 -0500

I am a one, ten yrs to go.

Response by SGT Kevin Unruh made Feb 4 at 2019 2:42 PM

SGT Kevin Unruh — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:42:41 -0500

Well put me on this sign in list, 17 years to go
For those that don't know, gray area retirees are Reservists who have retirement orders with a date on them (14 June 2017), but are not yet 59 1/2 years old. We don't draw pay until them, and ( have to double check) are not fully completely entirely retired. But, as I told my wife and youngest daughter, I would have to be a pretty big emergency for the Army to call my broken tail back in!

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jun 28 at 2019 12:47 PM

1SG David Niles — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:47:11 -0400

I am so grey now

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 14 at 2019 2:13 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:13:41 -0500

Is this some sort of reservist thing or are we mocking my rapidly graying hair?

Response by SFC Dean D. made Jan 6 at 2020 9:17 AM

SFC Dean D. — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 09:17:50 -0500

Here! 7 years till payday.

Response by SSG Angela Koch made Apr 9 at 2020 12:31 AM

SSG Angela Koch — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 00:31:57 -0400

I was told I was a gray retiree as I signed for my DD 214 in 2011 , thought I was done after 20 years, 8 months. I am 31B Military Police .

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Apr 19 at 2021 10:24 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 10:24:33 -0400

Many that served proudly with other Reserve personnel. Thank you Gray Area Retirees

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Apr 21 at 2021 11:34 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:34:17 -0400

Ask HRC Ft Knox Public Affairs Office or go thru FOIA for answer!!!

Response by LTC Lou MacDonald made Nov 4 at 2021 2:38 PM

LTC Lou MacDonald — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 14:38:31 -0400

100s