Extension of Retirement Date

[aem413]

USAF - Has anyone seen or had luck themselves pushing back their retirement date? I’m anticipating a date in March but that feels like throwing a dart blindfolded.

Hoping I can make it to early May to be eligible to use my GI benefits (active service won’t be counted until April 5, 2026 because I had an ROTC scholarship - have to meet that service obligation first apparently).

It’d REALLY suck to be THAT close and miss out on thousands of dollars in benefits if there was a way to push the date back. Also of note, I’m “casual” and have been working as office leadership for over a year during this process, but that billet doesn’t actually exist so “manning” probably won’t fly as a reason to AFPC.

ANY help appreciated! Even if it’s a tough reality check here

 

[CrohnieOstomate]

Would be helpful for you to post your timeline, so we know where you are in the MEB/PEB process! There are some things you can do to push it a little bit at certain times in the process, not sure about a month or two though....

 

[aem413]

Would be helpful for you to post your timeline, so we know where you are in the MEB/PEB process! There are some things you can do to push it a little bit at certain times in the process, not sure about a month or two though....

Yeah I’m thinking I may need to look more into VR&E in order to finish my masters. I got my VA rating from my peblo last week (100%) and 180 days from initial notification puts me at March 7, 2026. So that would mean I’d need to extend 60 days.. might be too big of an ask for AFPC

 

[CrohnieOstomate]

Yeah I’m thinking I may need to look more into VR&E in order to finish my masters. I got my VA rating from my peblo last week (100%) and 180 days from initial notification puts me at March 7, 2026. So that would mean I’d need to extend 60 days.. might be too big of an ask for AFPC

How much leave do you have? And what was your EAD? I’m pretty much in the same boat, but I believe if you have met the initial 4 years, any time after counts towards you getting a percentage of post 9/11 GI bill.

 

[CrohnieOstomate]

I’m back to say I learned at a VA workshop today that being discharged for a service connected disability makes you eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI bill I assume because we cannot meet the 36 month requirement for reasons out of our control

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates | Veterans Affairs

Get the current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates for August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. And learn about how we determine how much of the full benefit rate you can get.

www.va.gov

 

[aem413]

I’m back to say I learned at a VA workshop today that being discharged for a service connected disability makes you eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI bill I assume because we cannot meet the 36 month requirement for reasons out of our control

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates | Veterans Affairs

Get the current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates for August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. And learn about how we determine how much of the full benefit rate you can get.

www.va.gov

Oh wow really? My understanding was that you still needed 30 eligible days of service (which aren’t counted until you meet ROTC service obligation) even with a service connected disability. The person I spoke with at the VA last week didn’t seem to know a ton about the nuance there, so I’m not sure. I’m also trying to look into using VR&E to finish my masters if the GI bill isn’t an option.

To answer your earlier question, my EAD was 5 April 2022, so to have 30 days of eligible service I’d have to make it to May. Rn expecting early March departure but God only knows with a military timeline haha

 

[koxin222]

USAF - Has anyone seen or had luck themselves pushing back their retirement date? I’m anticipating a date in March but that feels like throwing a dart blindfolded.

Hoping I can make it to early May to be eligible to use my GI benefits (active service won’t be counted until April 5, 2026 because I had an ROTC scholarship - have to meet that service obligation first apparently).

It’d REALLY suck to be THAT close and miss out on thousands of dollars in benefits if there was a way to push the date back. Also of note, I’m “casual” and have been working as office leadership for over a year during this process, but that billet doesn’t actually exist so “manning” probably won’t fly as a reason to AFPC.

ANY help appreciated! Even if it’s a tough reality check here

From what I’ve seen those date pushes are pretty hard to get unless there’s a clear mission need tied to an actual funded billet. AFPC usually looks for something concrete on paper, not just that you’ve been helping in a role unofficially. Guys who got extensions had leadership pushing it hard with justification tied to continuity or a replacement gap, and even then it wasn’t guaranteed. If the billet isn’t real on the books it’s a tougher sell, but it might still be worth asking your chain to elevate it if the timing affects earned benefits that directly. Worst they can say is no, but it tends to need command level backing to even get traction.

 

[Jumper9012]

Were you able

I’m back to say I learned at a VA workshop today that being discharged for a service connected disability makes you eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI bill I assume because we cannot meet the 36 month requirement for reasons out of our control

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates | Veterans Affairs

Get the current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates for August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. And learn about how we determine how much of the full benefit rate you can get.

www.va.gov

were you able to get 100% of the GI Bill without completing the 36 month obligation for officers?? I didnt finish my initial ROTC contract due to a MEB. I appreciate any and all help!

I’m back to say I learned at a VA workshop today that being discharged for a service connected disability makes you eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI bill I assume because we cannot meet the 36 month requirement for reasons out of our control

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates | Veterans Affairs

Get the current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates for August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. And learn about how we determine how much of the full benefit rate you can get.

www.va.gov

were you able to get 100% of the GI Bill without completing the 36 month obligation for officers?? I didnt finish my initial ROTC contract due to a MEB. I appreciate any and all help!

 

[Jumper9012]

USAF - Has anyone seen or had luck themselves pushing back their retirement date? I’m anticipating a date in March but that feels like throwing a dart blindfolded.

Hoping I can make it to early May to be eligible to use my GI benefits (active service won’t be counted until April 5, 2026 because I had an ROTC scholarship - have to meet that service obligation first apparently).

It’d REALLY suck to be THAT close and miss out on thousands of dollars in benefits if there was a way to push the date back. Also of note, I’m “casual” and have been working as office leadership for over a year during this process, but that billet doesn’t actually exist so “manning” probably won’t fly as a reason to AFPC.

ANY help appreciated! Even if it’s a tough reality check here

were you able to get 100% of the GI Bill without completing the 36 month obligation for officers?? I didnt finish my initial ROTC contract due to a MEB. I appreciate any and all help!