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)
For retirement as a CAPT or CDR:
- 30 years of active service
- 3 years time-in-grade
Note: NAVADMIN 182/16 and 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)
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: NAVADMIN 182/16 and 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
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: NAVADMIN 182/16 and 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)
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)
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
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
Retirement for Active Duty CWOs (30 years or more)
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)
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
*May be deferred to age 68 for Chaplains and Health Care Professionals
For retirement as a CWO:
- Age 62, 60 days after attaining that age
- 20 years of active service
For retirement as Permanent Professor at USNA:
- Age 64, on the 1st day of the month after birthday month
- 20 years of active service