The summary below identifies the basic criteria an officer must meet to qualify for a Regular retirement from the Active Component or from Full-Time Support (FTS) active service for many frequently encountered situations.  It does not address non-regular or disability retirements or all the specific laws/policies that may apply to a particular officer’s situation.
 
 
Voluntary Retirement for Active-Duty Officers (30 years)
References: 10 USC 8322, OPNAVINST 1811.3A
 
For retirement as a CAPT or CDR:
- 30 years of active service
- 3 years time-in-grade
 
Note: OPNAVINST 1811.3A provide policy for time-in-grade and next-lower-grade waiver requests.
 
For retirement as a LCDR or LT:
- 30 years of active service
- 2 years time-in-grade
 
Note: OPNAVINST 1811.3A provides policy for time-in-grade and next-lower-grade waiver requests.
 
 
Voluntary Retirement for Active-Duty Officers (20 years)
References: 10 USC 8323, OPNAVINST 1811.3A
 
For retirement as a CAPT or CDR:
- 20 years and 1 day of active service
- 10 years active commissioned service
- 3 years time-in-grade
 
Note: OPNAVINST 1811.3A provide policy for time-in-grade and next-lower-grade waiver requests.
 
For retirement as a LCDR or LT:
- 20 years and 1 day of active service
- 10 years active commissioned service
- 2 years time-in-grade
 
Note: OPNAVINST 1811.3A provides policy for time-in-grade and next-lower-grade waiver requests.
 
 
Voluntary Retirement for FTS Officers
References: 10 USC 8323, OPNAVINST 1820.1B
 
For retirement as a CAPT or CDR:
- 20 years and 1 day of active service
- 10 years active commissioned service
- 3 years time-in-grade
 
Note: OPNAVINST 1820.1B provide policy for time-in-grade and next-lower-grade waiver requests.
 
For retirement as a LCDR or LT:
- 20 years and 1 day of active service
- 10 years active commissioned service
- 6 months time-in-grade
 
Note: OPNAVINST 1820.1B provide policy for time-in-grade and next-lower-grade waiver requests.
 
 
Voluntary Retirement for Chief Warrant Officers (CWOs)
References: 10 USC 1293, OPNAVINST 1811.3A
 
For retirement as a CWO2/3/4/5:
- 20 years of active service
- 6* years active commissioned service
- 2 years time-in-grade
 
* Service obligation incurred upon appointment as stated in the NAVADMIN for the CWO Procurement Program, released annually, under which the member was selected for CWO.
 
Note: OPNAVINST 1811.3A provides policy for time-in-grade and next-lower-grade waiver requests.
 
 
Statutory Retirement for Active-Duty Captains and Commanders (non LDO)
References: 10 USC 633, 10 USC 634, 10 USC 1370
 
For retirement as a CAPT:
- 30 years of active commissioned service (10 USC 634)
- 6 months time-in-grade (10 USC 1370)

For retirement as a CDR:
- 28 years of active commissioned service (10 USC 633)
- 6 months time-in-grade (10 USC 1370)
 
 
Statutory Retirement for Active Duty LDOs
References: 10 USC 8372, 10 USC 1370
 
For retirement as a CAPT:
- End of month following the month completing 38 years of active naval service
- 6 months time-in-grade

For retirement as a CDR:
- End of month following the month completing 35 years of active naval service
- 6 months time-in-grade

For retirement as a LCDR or LT:
- End of month following the month completing 30 years of active naval service
- 6 months time-in-grade
 
 
Statutory Retirement for Active Duty CWOs (30 years or more)
References: 10 USC 1305, 10 USC 1371
 
For retirement as a CWO5:
- 33 years and 60 days of active service
- Continuation per the annual announcement of Continuation Policy via NAVADMIN, normally in December 
 
For retirement as a CWO2/3/4:
- 30 years and 60 days of active service
- Continuation per the annual announcement of Continuation Policy via NAVADMIN, normally in December
 
 
Statutory Retirement (Age)
References: 10 USC 1251, 10 USC 1252, 10 USC 1263
 
For retirement as other than a CWO or Permanent Professor:
- *Age 62, on the 1st day of the month after birthday month
- 20 years of active service