Chapter 6 of AR 140-10 provides other conditions by which Army Reserve Soldiers can request transfer to the Retired Reserve. Normally, soldiers can apply for the transfer after receiving their 20-year letter. This letter documents 20 qualified reserve years. 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However, there are other conditions listed in Chapter 6 that allow transfer to the Withdrawn Reserve.
If you receive retirement pay due to retirement from active or reserve military service, you must request a transfer to the Retiree Pool. Paragraph 6-6 lists an exception to this requirement.
If it is determined, through a medical review, that you are unqualified to perform active duty, due to a service-connected disability, then you may request a transfer to the Retiree Reserve. Additionally, a Soldier medically disqualified from continuous retention, or from entering active duty, may also request the transfer.
For this last requirement, the disqualification cannot be for misconduct by the Soldier. According to 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. Usually this involves dating. As soon as this appointment takes effect, that Soldier must request the transfer.
If a Soldier turns 37, who has completed 8 years of qualified active federal service, of which 6 months were 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 duty in time of war.
Ready Reserve officers with 10 years of active federal service, as commissioned officers, can also request the transfer.
Soldiers who completed 20 years of qualified service for retirement; Soldiers who completed 37 years of age with 8 years of qualified active duty; o Soldiers who completed at least 10 years of federal active duty as a commissioned officer; you have the option of staying on the Ready Reserve rather than applying for retirement.
Advice:
Army Regulation 140-10, chapter 6, paragraphs 6-1a (3) and 6-1a (8), cover the medical disqualifications mentioned above. Paragraph 6-1 suggests that the Soldier may simply request to be transferred to the Retired Reserve to be notified of this disqualification. This can also involve a medical review board. Consult with your General Service Judge Advocate and Career Advisor for details on this requirement.
For requests to transfer to the Retiree Reserve outside of a medical retirement, retirement pay receipt, or 15- or 20-year letter receipt, seek the advice of your service Judge General Counsel and Service Career Counselor. They can advise you on the benefits and costs of completing this transfer.
References:
AR 140-10, Assignments, Attachments, Details and Transfers.