Retirement vs MEB and commissioned service time for prior enlisted officers

Hello. Just trying to understand what some of my options might be. I am an AGR Soldier in the Army national guard with over 20 years of federal active duty service. As a commissioned officer I still have a year left of my active duty service obligation. And obviously I have not met the 10 year requirement as a commissioned officer. I have not been deployed to a combat zone. I have had a P3 profile in the past.

If given the chance, would it be more beneficial to finish my service obligation and file for retirement and file my VA disability claims? I know I would have to resign my commission and revert back to my previous Enlisted rank. Talking to my HRO, this seems like an option available to me.

Or

If I were to go through the MEB/PED and was medically retired at this point in my career (not meeting the 10 year FCS requirement), would I still revert back to my enlisted rank for retirement pay calculations, or would I be allowed to retire as an officer? If taking this route, would I have CRDP available to me if I was rated above 50%?

I have just reached a point where I’m seeing guys I know passing away from things way too young and way too early. Looking at things at this stage in my life the time is more important to me. I just want to make sure I have a complete understanding of possibilities and outcomes. Thanks so much for any input or advice provided.

 

[Provis]

Hello. Just trying to understand what some of my options might be. I am an AGR Soldier in the Army national guard with over 20 years of federal active duty service. As a commissioned officer I still have a year left of my active duty service obligation. And obviously I have not met the 10 year requirement as a commissioned officer. I have not been deployed to a combat zone. I have had a P3 profile in the past.

If given the chance, would it be more beneficial to finish my service obligation and file for retirement and file my VA disability claims? I know I would have to resign my commission and revert back to my previous Enlisted rank. Talking to my HRO, this seems like an option available to me.

Or

If I were to go through the MEB/PED and was medically retired at this point in my career (not meeting the 10 year FCS requirement), would I still revert back to my enlisted rank for retirement pay calculations, or would I be allowed to retire as an officer? If taking this route, would I have CRDP available to me if I was rated above 50%?

I have just reached a point where I’m seeing guys I know passing away from things way too young and way too early. Looking at things at this stage in my life the time is more important to me. I just want to make sure I have a complete understanding of possibilities and outcomes. Thanks so much for any input or advice provided.

I would rather be kicked out via MEB. If you are found unfit then the 10 year requirement is waived and your HIGH 3 would be based off of your Officer Pay.

The good news is that you have a 20 year retirement earned so you don't have much to lose. I would want to have them force me out and get the higher retirement pay than apply for retirement and get a much lower amount in retirement due to using your enlisted HIGH 3 instead.

 

[Dnbltn]

I would rather be kicked out via MEB. If you are found unfit then the 10 year requirement is waived and your HIGH 3 would be based off of your Officer Pay.

The good news is that you have a 20 year retirement earned so you don't have much to lose. I would want to have them force me out and get the higher retirement pay than apply for retirement and get a much lower amount in retirement due to using your enlisted HIGH 3 instead.

If this is true, that would be a significant difference. I hate to say it but I’ve definitely downplayed some things to medical worried that I wouldn’t be able to reach my 20 years. I guess the best choice is to stay motivated and be honest with the docs, get things treated, and let fate decide how things go.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

I agree with starting to get treatment. Get everything documented.