How long can a colonel stay on active duty?
John Castro
Published Jan 11, 2026
By law, Regular Officers promoted to lieutenant colonel (O-5) may serve for 28 active commissioned years, while those promoted to colonel (O-6) may stay for 30 active commissioned years unless earlier retired by other provisions of law.
How long can an officer serve in the military?
Officers in O9 and O10 positions may have retirement deferred until age 66 by the SECDEF or until age 68 by the President. 10 U.S. Code § 8323: Regular and reserve officers in the Armed Forces may retire after 20 years of service, at least 10 of which must have been as an active commissioned officer.When can a military officer retire?
A commissioned officer may be voluntarily retired after completion of 20 years of active service, at least 10 years of which is active commissioned service.Do generals have to retire at a certain age?
(a) General Rule . —Unless retired or separated earlier, each regular commissioned officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps serving in a general or flag officer grade shall be retired on the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age.What rank do most enlisted retire at?
It is reasonable to assume that the average enlisted member will be able to retire at 20 years having achieved the rank of E-7, and the average officer should be able to retire at 20 years at the rank of O-5.How Army Officers Get Promoted | 2nd Lieutenant To General
What age does the Army kick you out?
Military Age Limits: Army Age Limit: 35 for active duty, Guard, and Army Reserve. Navy Age Limit: 39 for active duty, 39 for Navy Reserve. Marine Corps Age Limit: 28 for active duty and Marine Corps Reserve.Is 20 years in the military worth it?
The total expected value of retiring at 20 years is worth nearly a million dollars, which means that the last two years of work in uniform are worth roughly half a million each to a typical officer (annual base pay plus half of their retirement stream).How long do you have to hold rank to retire at that rank in the Army National Guard?
A Soldier in the National Guard must have completed 20 years of qualifying service to be eligible for retired pay at age 60. A qualifying year is a complete year in which a Soldier has earned a minimum of 50 retirement points.How long do you have to hold rank to retire at that rank in the army?
In most cases, military members must serve 20 years to be eligible for normal military retirement. There are some exceptions, including the Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA), which allows members to retire with as few as 15 years of service, and Chapter 61 medical retirements.What is the longest you can serve in the military?
Army Retention Control PointThe Army has also changed the maximum age an enlisted member can remain on active duty from 55 years to 62 years.