I have a few questions about National Guard retirement when you go OCS (see below for details) . What pay will I receive at 20 yrs?

2021-08-08T15:15:05-04:00

Greetings,

I have received conflicting information and am unable to confirm which is correct. I am trying to plan for retirement and I am sitting at 15 years total time in service. I have 4 years of active duty to receive the “e” pay. I hope to work for 25-30 years total but want to make an informed decision.

What are my options when I hit 20 years? Do I have to perform 10 years of service to retire as an officer if I went from the enlisted to office side? I just completed OCS and I have contacted my state retirement office whom is unable to give me any good answers with supporting documents. I have read that the 10 years of officer time applies to active duty. (See article). I have also been told I would receive my high three for pay but “retire” as my previous enlisted rank if I do not perform 10 as an officer.

https://themilitarywallet.com/retire-as-commissioned-officer/

Are there any other benefits to retiring as an officer versus enlisted other than pay?

Any articles or supporting documents would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Ben

Service Requirements to Retire as a Commissioned Officer

Military members need 20 years of active duty service and 10 years as a commissioned officer to retire as an officer. Click to see exceptions

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 8 at 2021 3:53 PM

2021-08-08T15:53:16-04:00

Ben your years as enlisted and officer all count toward your 20 as long as each year is considered a good year. The higher the points the higher the rank the better the retirement. If you’re going officer you’ll wanna get to at least Captain or above. If you look at examples under the calculator under the HR site that your CAC card allows you to access you can find out how the math work as an E-8 vs an O-2. As far as memory serves successful service after three years at any grade after 20 years service would qualify you for reserve retirement. Be sure you have all your paper work straight especially your 20 year letter and your DD249? Points sheet. I e met numerous prior senior NCOs that went onto become Officers. I strongly encourage you to keep hard copies of all your paperwork. I once met a Guard Colonel with 30 plus years service but his paperwork was messed up on the Guard side. He only had credit on the reserve side for three years. He was working in fixing the issues. Ultimately even the Guard becomes a part of the Federal Reserve by age 60 in order to get the Federal Retirement benefit.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 9 at 2021 9:05 AM

2021-08-09T09:05:58-04:00

There is no TIS requirements for Guard Officers. You need 20 good years. The pay method should be either Final Pay or High 36, which should be close anyway. You final retirement pay will be your Pay Grade for your TIS (including any Gray Area time) based on your total points divided by 360x2.5%

Response by CSM David Porterfield made Aug 9 at 2021 10:38 AM

2021-08-09T10:38:05-04:00

It's been a while but if I remember correctly, you have to serve as an officer for 10 years to retire as an officer. Otherwise you revert back to your last enlisted rank. I remember this because as a First Sergeant I was offered a direct commission to 2LT but after looking into it it didn't make sense for me.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Aug 12 at 2021 8:25 AM

2021-08-12T08:25:00-04:00

I just filled out my paperwork for my Guard retirement. I had to laugh. It asks if you want to be paid for the highest rank you attained or the rank you got out as. If you have an Article 15 or had to take a demotion for any reason, why would anybody opt to get paid less? I will have to wait & see what my monthly pay will be but I did lots of active duty time & additional drill time.