What is the difference between a retirement PCS vs a terminal assignment?

2016-01-28T23:08:35-05:00

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 11:41 PM

2016-01-28T23:41:37-05:00

Not sure if this is what you're asking, but when you retire you are authorized one move from your current or any previous duty station to anywhere in the US you select. That is called your Home of.selection. (HOS). If your home of record (where you entered the Army) is overseas, they will ship your stuff there as well. To me, a terminal assignment was the last assignment you have in the military. Many try to get a terminal assignment at the location they want to retire, so they can get a house set up, kids in school, etc, a couple of years before they are actually out.

That's how I've heard those terms used. Don't know if that's what you're looking for.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 29 at 2016 8:27 AM

2016-01-29T08:27:54-05:00

To my untrained brain, I don't see a delta except terminal might be other than retirement.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 29 at 2016 9:28 AM

2016-01-29T09:28:25-05:00

To the best of my knowledge, as a 28 year service member that retied Jan 1 2014.
The PCS is offered to you, the terminal assignment is on request.
I find no regulation that mentions a "Retirement PCS", nor had I heard the term until today.

Most often the phrase seen is "Retirement in lieu of PCS"

Request Retirement in Lieu of PCS "Soldiers who have completed 19 years and 6 months of service when notified of assignment instructions may request retirement in lieu of PCS. Soldier is considered notified the date the assignment was transmitted. Soldier must submit retirement request within 30 days of assignment notification and must retire within 6 months of assignment notification, if approved. Submission of request within established timelines does not guarantee approval of request as operational needs and mission will be the overriding factor. Soldiers with less than 19 years and 6 months of service when notified of assignment are ineligible to request retirement in lieu of PCS, no exceptions are
authorized."

And the phrase "Terminal assignment " is not in the enlisted assignments reg http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r614_200.pdf
only the officer one that I can find. http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r614_100.pdf

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Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 8:13 AM

2016-02-01T08:13:58-05:00

These are two different versions of transfer:
1. A terminal assignment is one that you get selected for and plan to separate. This is any tour that occurs before your 30 year mark.
2. A Retirement PCS (Navy "Twilight Tour") is an assignment that takes you past 30 years and you intend to retire from. This tour allows you to request assignment to an area of your choice.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2018 3:30 PM

2018-11-17T15:30:22-05:00

How was your experience at the USASMA?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 1:43 PM

2018-12-12T13:43:09-05:00

Incorrect there is such a thing as Terminal Assignment it’s only for Army AGR it allows a Soldier to PCS to a specific geographic region.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2020 9:02 AM

2020-05-12T09:02:39-04:00

I wanted to know if anyone had an example of a narrative statement when submitting a terminal assignment request

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2022 2:57 PM

2022-10-13T14:57:45-04:00

AR 614-100, 6-8 Terminal Assignment is an Army Regulation for Officer Reassignments. It states information about requesting a "Terminal Assignment" to PCS and have a final tour at or near the location where you will retire.