The U.S. Army this week announced that it is offering an early retirement plan for both active duty and reserve soldiers in an attempt to reduce the force size.
The military is offering “Temporary Early Retirement Authority” to soldiers with between 15 and 20 years of service, but only for officers and warrant officers who have failed twice in being promoted, and also for noncommissioned officers who were denied continued service.
These soldiers, said Army policy official Gerald Purcell, “will receive full retirement benefits at a slightly reduced annuity,” according to a press release.
Purcell said the plan is one of many the Army is using to draw down the size of its force in upcoming years.
The Army is seeking to reduce its size of 570,000 active-duty soldiers to around 490,000 by 2017.
“Our goal to do this in a compassionate, caring way, and ensure soldiers and their families are taken care of during the transition,” Purcell said.
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