AR 140-10 Chapter 6 establishes other conditions by which Army Reserve Soldiers may request transfer to the Retired Reserve. Normally, soldiers can apply for transfer after receiving their 20-year letter. This letter documents 20 years of qualifying reserves. This could be all reserve years, or a combination of active and reserve years.
However, there are other conditions listed in Chapter 6 that allow transfer to the Retiree Reserve.
If you are receiving retirement pay, due to retirement from active or reserve military service, you must apply to transfer to the Retiree Reserve. Paragraph 6-6 lists an exception to this requirement.
If it is determined through medical review that you are not qualified for active duty due to a service-connected disability, then you may request transfer to the Retired Reserve. Additionally, a soldier medically disqualified for continued retention or entry into active duty may also apply for transfer.
For this last requirement, the disqualification cannot be due to the Soldier’s misconduct. Per paragraph 6-1a(8), this transfer can be requested regardless of the number of years the Soldier has already completed.
There may be a contractual requirement, for evaluation in the Army Reserve, that requires immediate transfer to the Retired Reserve. This usually involves dating. As soon as this appointment takes effect, said Soldier must apply for transfer.
If a Soldier turns age 37, having completed 8 years of qualified active federal service, of which 6 months was on active duty during a national emergency or war, the Soldier may request transfer to the Retired Reserve. Chapter 6 also has the same provision, without the requirement of 6 months of active wartime service.
Ready Reserve officers with 10 years of active federal service, such as commissioned officers, may also apply for transfer.
Soldiers who have completed 20 years of qualifying service for retirement; Soldiers who reached age 37 with 8 years of qualifying active duty; o Soldiers who have completed at least 10 years of federal active duty as a commissioned officer; they have the option to remain in Ready Reserve instead of requesting withdrawal.
Advice:
Army Regulation 140-10, chapter 6, paragraphs 6-1a(3) and 6-1a(8), covers the medical disqualifications listed above. Paragraph 6-1 suggests that the Soldier may simply request to be transferred to the Retired Reserve upon being notified of this disqualification. This may also involve a medical review board. Check with your service’s General Counsel and Career Advisor for details on this requirement.
For requests to transfer to the Retiree Reserve outside of a medical retirement, receipt of retirement pay, or receipt of a 15- or 20-year letter, seek the advice of your serving Judge Advocate General and serving Career Counselor. They may be able to advise you on both the benefits and costs of completing this transfer.
References:
AR 140-10, Assignments, Attachments, Details and Transfers.