https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Just trying to complete understand how the high 36 system works Tue, 11 Apr 2017 22:53:13 -0400 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Just trying to complete understand how the high 36 system works SSG Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 11 Apr 2017 22:53:13 -0400 2017-04-11T22:53:13-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6?n=2488019&urlhash=2488019 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Simple math. Yes. You have to do 3 years as SFC to avoid it. SN Greg Wright Wed, 12 Apr 2017 02:12:06 -0400 2017-04-12T02:12:06-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6?n=2488082&urlhash=2488082 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was lucky in my time it was a simple two years in grade. I retired with exactly two Years TIG. 1stSgt Eugene Harless Wed, 12 Apr 2017 05:39:35 -0400 2017-04-12T05:39:35-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6?n=2488357&urlhash=2488357 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes, if this is the retirement system you enlisted under. MSG Brad Sand Wed, 12 Apr 2017 08:43:56 -0400 2017-04-12T08:43:56-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6?n=2488392&urlhash=2488392 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It is sometimes called the &quot;High 3&quot; but that is a misnomer, its actual the last 36 months basic pay averaged,,or last three years.<br />Your last 36 months of basic pay will be used to calculate..<br />If you wanted to get paid 3 years of &quot;E7&quot; basic pay, you would need to have been an E7 the last 36 months before retirement. SGM Erik Marquez Wed, 12 Apr 2017 09:00:08 -0400 2017-04-12T09:00:08-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6?n=2488647&urlhash=2488647 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>High Three almost always equates to your last 36 months in service. And while it is possible to be that strange exception to the rule, chances are you will serve three years as an SFC so no big deal. Not to mention that your extra year to get in the three will take you to 21 and that means an extra 2.5% tacked on to your 50% Well worth the extra year! Good luck! LTC Joseph Gross Wed, 12 Apr 2017 10:45:34 -0400 2017-04-12T10:45:34-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6?n=2489040&urlhash=2489040 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The highest 36 months of basic pay get averaged to determine your retirement pay whether you spent 36 months at your final rank or less than that. SSgt Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 12 Apr 2017 12:31:30 -0400 2017-04-12T12:31:30-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-i-retire-at-20-but-only-had-two-years-in-as-an-e-7-would-the-high-three-average-my-two-years-as-an-e-7-and-one-year-as-an-e-6?n=2489336&urlhash=2489336 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You would retire as a Staff Sergeant, as you need three years TIG to retire as a SFC and in this scenario you only have two... The pay would average.. SFC Michael Hasbun Wed, 12 Apr 2017 14:24:03 -0400 2017-04-12T14:24:03-04:00 2017-04-11T22:53:13-04:00