Sample Letters

Officers considering voluntary retirement from active duty should review MILPERSMAN 1810-020 and OPNAVINST 1811.3 (series) for basic guidance.  Generally, requests for retirement should be received 9-12 months in advance of requested retirement date.  Per U.S. Code title 10, officers officially retire on the 1st day of the month, although their last day of active duty is the last day of the previous month.  Time in Grade for LCDR and below is 2 years, however, OPNAVINST 1811.3A allows for a waiver to 6 months if approved by Commander, Navy Personnel Command; Time in Grade for CDR's and CAPT's is 3 years, however, NAVADMIN 371/08 does allows for a waiver to two years if approved by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.  If you do not have the required Time in Grade, you must specifically request a Next Lower Grade or Time in Grade waiver in your letter.  View our Frequently Asked Questions for more info on Waivers and Time in Grade.

Sample Voluntary Retirement Letter

                                                                                                                     Date

From:  RANK FIRST MI. LAST NAME, USN, DESIG
To:      Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-8353)
Via:     Commanding Officer, (Member’s Command)

Subj:   VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT

Ref:     (a) DoD 5500.7-R of 29 Nov 07

1.  Having completed (fill in) years of active service, I request transfer to the Retired List to be effective on the 1st day of (month and year).  I hereby certify that upon requested retirement date, I will have served all training and special pays service obligations. I further understand that if I have any active duty obligation remaining in my contract, my request for retirement may be denied or I shall be required to reimburse the government, if request is approved.  (If appropriate, add one of the following statements:  (1) “I request (fill-in) month(s) time-in-grade waiver.”  Or, (2) “I request to retire in the next lower grade of (fill-in grade).”)

2.  I intend to request (fill in) days permissive TDY and (fill in) days separation leave.

3.  I have read and thoroughly examined reference (a), specifically Chapters 8 and 9, concerning pre- and post-retirement standards of conduct and employment activities.  I further understand that I may direct any questions to my area ethics counselor or the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Code 13).

4.  POC (your email address and phone number).

                                                                          FI. MI. LAST NAME

Copy to:

 Sample First Endorsement for Voluntary Retirement Letter
                                                                             

1811
Ser
DATE

FIRST ENDORSEMENT on RANK FIRST MI. LAST NAME, USN, DESIG ltr

From:  Commanding Officer, (Member’s Command)
To:      Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-8353)

Subj:   VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT

1.  Forwarded, recommending approval.

2.  Please indicate if contact relief is required.

                                                                          FI. MI. LAST NAME