If a 1LT resigns to become a warrant officer and achieves CW4 or CW5 rank before retirement, do they retire as 1LT or CW4/CW5?

2023-10-09T04:57:53-04:00

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Oct 9 at 2023 5:50 AM

2023-10-09T05:50:55-04:00

If you are talking about pay, you still should get your high three, which should be in the CW rank. Even O1E max pay is $5682. A CW4 at 20 makes about $8087.

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 9 at 2023 11:13 AM

2023-10-09T11:13:08-04:00

They would retire as a CW4/CW5. Federal law (10 USC § 7311*) requires that you have 10 years of active service as a commissioned officer to retire as one. As the individual would be a 1LT, it is highly doubtful that they meet that requirement.

If somehow, they DO meet that requirement, then they would be in one of those ‘special situations’ that really depends on “how are they only a 1LT with 10+ years of commissioned service?”

Keep in mind there is a difference between “what grade you retire at” and “how much is your retired pay”. Since you are under “High-36” (unless you're part of the "theoretical" crowd that is under "final pay") it is “the highest 36 pay rates throughout your entire career”.
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* 10 USC § 7311 - https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/7311
* https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN3140_AR600-8-24_FINAL.pdf

10 U.S. Code § 7311 - Twenty years or more: regular or reserve commissioned officers

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 9 at 2023 3:39 PM

2023-10-09T15:39:27-04:00

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Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2023 3:41 PM

2023-10-09T15:41:19-04:00

Irrespective, being a CW4/CW5 is more prestigious than a 1LT.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Oct 9 at 2023 7:21 PM

2023-10-09T19:21:54-04:00

I always heard you retire at your highest rank. Truth or not, I can't be sure so I'd take COL Randall C. word on it. What I never understood was if a Lt was higher rank than a CWO and who was required to salute who first.