Need advice on COAR

[jarred]

I was just today found unfit and received 30DOD/70VA. I'm fine with that result but am considering putting in for COAR since I only have 16 yrs 2 mos of creditable service in the ARNG. I'm a CW4 in a specialized field and can get a recommendation from the O6/O7 for the COAR, so I'm confident I could get it if I put in for it. However, I do not want to go through this whole process again in 3.5 years.

A couple questions:
1. Do I have to go through the IDES again once I hit 20 years of creditable service in the ARNG when the COAR ends? Or does my 30DOD/70VA remain if I'm still stable?
2. Do I keep my monthly 70% VA disability check that I just started receiving? I don't want to have that turned off if COAR is granted.
3. Is it worth it to try to stay in for 20 years to get CRDP once I get to age 60? I'm only 36 so that's a ways off. I should be able to get CRSC on the 30% DOD but I don't know what that equates to. My active duty equivalent time is only like 3 years.

In reading through the history on this site and the regs I find this situation a little confusing. Thanks in advance for the info and advice.

 

[TortolliniShell]

You're in a challenging situation. I'm not too sure the likely outcome of the COSR process. Hopefully someone can give their thoughts on that part. Here's are some thoughts. Hopefully this helps out.

On one hand: You do have a medical retirement. Tricare becomes free. You could be eligible for some amount of CRSC. You would have a VA offset. Your pay for DoD will be based off the current year's pay charts. Pay starts after your retirement (soon). Your VA and DoD pay will be greater than your previous drill check.

On the other - Getting 20 yos gives non-regular retirement at 60 (23 years from now). Your final pay for DoD retirement is calculated based on the paycharts of the year you are eligible to retire. (Much higher amount than this year) If you keep your 70% VA rating you'll have to pay back money for every day of AD, training, IDT you are on from now until you retire. (Reservists can't receive full reserve drill pay and full VA for the same days.)

 

[jarred]

@TortolliniShell - well said and all things being considered. If I can keep the VA payment (which I think I do) then factoring in the offset and Tricare RS + gas + food + time away I would be netting very little for a drill. So, is it worth sticking it out 3.5 more years to try to get to 20? Or, if any of my questions above are not favorable then maybe not. Thanks for your input.

 

[Provis]

I was just today found unfit and received 30DOD/70VA. I'm fine with that result but am considering putting in for COAR since I only have 16 yrs 2 mos of creditable service in the ARNG. I'm a CW4 in a specialized field and can get a recommendation from the O6/O7 for the COAR, so I'm confident I could get it if I put in for it. However, I do not want to go through this whole process again in 3.5 years.

A couple questions:
1. Do I have to go through the IDES again once I hit 20 years of creditable service in the ARNG when the COAR ends? Or does my 30DOD/70VA remain if I'm still stable?
2. Do I keep my monthly 70% VA disability check that I just started receiving? I don't want to have that turned off if COAR is granted.
3. Is it worth it to try to stay in for 20 years to get CRDP once I get to age 60? I'm only 36 so that's a ways off. I should be able to get CRSC on the 30% DOD but I don't know what that equates to. My active duty equivalent time is only like 3 years.

In reading through the history on this site and the regs I find this situation a little confusing. Thanks in advance for the info and advice.

#1. DO NOT DO COAR IF YOU HAVE EARNED A CHAPTER 61 RETIREMENT UNLESS YOU ARE VERY CLOSE TO RETIREMENT AGE FOR YOUR GUARD RETIREMENT!
#2. The reason for all caps in #1. If you choose COAR you bypass everything. You are declining your results and requesting an exception to stay on in the Guard. Once you reach 20 years then your will be put in the Retired Reserves and become a gray area retiree. So no immediate medical retirement EVER!
#2A. All of your VA ratings go away if you choose COAR. You will have to do it all over again.
#3. No it not worth it in your situation at all! Especially if you only have 3 years worth of longevity earned towards your guard retirement. Also, you may qualify for CRSC. That can claw back the VA offset you will have up to your earned longevity guard pension.

Bottom line: You will lose a lot if you submit a COAR packet. DONT DO IT. 23 years of free tricare select for you and your family alone is worth medically retiring now.

 

[jarred]

@Provis - that's what I was afraid of. Thank you for the info. Will not be submitting for a COAR.

Has anyone on here actually done a COAR? Interested in how that worked out for you.

 

[Provis]

@Provis - that's what I was afraid of. Thank you for the info. Will not be submitting for a COAR.

Has anyone on here actually done a COAR? Interested in how that worked out for you.

Actually ran into a very sad story where a Soldier has a high DOD% and was told to do COAR since he was at 19 years. His unit signed off and HQ approved. He lost out on thousands of dollars a month for 13 years until he reached age 60. He thought he could do COAR and then medically retire not knowing that wasn't the case. All he was told was that he could submit a COAR packet by his PEBLO.

Was a very sad situation. Its criminal that no one told him what he was actually doing. COAR only makes sense when found unfit with less than 30% DOD or when found unfit via a non duty related IDES situation.

 

[deatonj89]

@Provis - that's what I was afraid of. Thank you for the info. Will not be submitting for a COAR.

Has anyone on here actually done a COAR? Interested in how that worked out for you.

I went through and was accepted for COAR. E5 with 18 years at the time.

I have consistently been told by my peblo(and others) that i will still retain the free tricare and still retain my medical retirement (Chapter 61) at 20 years and be eligible for crdp at retirement age.