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Soldiers in the Tennessee National Guard with less than 20 years of active service, but more than 15, may now qualify for partial retirement benefits according to an Army Directive released in June 2016 to aid in the Army's force reduction plans.
The Army expanded its Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) to Soldiers serving in an Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) status that had previously only been authorized to Soldiers serving in the active duty Army.
"TERA has been open to those serving on Title 10 status for a few years. The new change from the Secretary of the Army has opened it up to those in Title 32 status also," said Lt. Col. Steven Turner, AGR Manager, Tennessee Army National Guard. Title 10, most simply, is the active duty force and those serving tours at National Guard Bureau. Title 32 is the state-controlled full-time active National Guard force. While they are technically different statuses, they provide mutually supporting capabilities.
TERA is a discretionary authority, not an entitlement. The Army elected to use this limited program as part of a comprehensive force management strategy through the end of 2018. It was initially implemented as part of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act and did not initially apply to members of the National Guard or Reserve. Prior to this year's expansion, there were no benefits for Title 32 Guardsmen who exited the military with fewer than 20 years of service. Those who receive TERA will receive retirement benefits at a reduced rate.
"It is not a tool to start looking for people to put out of the Guard," said Turner. "Before, Soldiers who were non-retained with less than 20 years received no active retirement benefits, so this helps fill the gaps by providing to those who would have otherwise gone without."
"Officers and Soldiers who are selected to participate in the Title 32 AGR program must maintain readiness standards, seek professional development and perform assigned duties in an exemplary manner at all stages of their career. It is the responsibility of the Chain of Command within the Tennessee Army National Guard to select, train and maintain only the best qualified Soldiers," said Maj. Gen. Max Haston, the Adjutant General, Tennessee National Guard. "I expect Commanders and supervisors to initiate an involuntary release of an AGR when they encounter a Soldier who displays substandard duty performance of persistent inefficiency and when attempts to rehabilitate fail."
Both enlisted Soldiers and officers who qualify and elect to receive TERA immediately draw benefits, just as if they had received a 20-year retirement.
"It puts a Soldier out of the Guard altogether, so it is only an option, not automatic," explained Turner. "A Soldier can deny TERA and continue performing drill weekends; however, they will no longer be in the AGR program."
Final implementation guidance came down from National Guard Bureau at the end of August 2016. These guidelines show that TERA will not be a retroactive option for Soldiers and now makes TERA only an option for those who are selected to not be retained by an Active Service Management Board (ASMB), or for officers who are not selected for promotion twice in a row.
"The ASMB is a tool I use to shape the force based on the needs of current and emerging changes to our force structure and as a tool to remove those AGRs whose performance is not in keeping with our standards," said Haston. "We strive to maintain only the best performers in our AGR program."
"In Tennessee, you couldn't previously meet the ASMB unless you had 18 years time in active service as a minimum. This puts the Soldier in a sanctuary status that allows them to reach their 20 years of service and retire militarily," said Turner. Meaning that TERA wasn't applicable to National Guard Soldiers who fell under Title 32 status as an option until now because of the recent policy changes.
"We won't present TERA as an option to anyone unless they have been non-retained by the ASMB, or for officers, those who have twice been non-selected for promotion," Turner added. "And it is not used as a tool to determine who to board in the first place."
At this time, TERA is scheduled to be rescinded for National Guard and Reserve Soldiers on December 31, 2018. Depending on utilization and necessity, it could be extended.
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2016 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 210748 |
| Location: | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 932 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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