Air Force seeks retirees to come back to active duty (2024)

FAQs

Is the Air Force allowing retirees to rejoin? ›

VOLUNTARY RETIRED RETURN TO ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAM

The Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty (VRRAD) Program provides retired Air Force Line of the Air Force officers and Enlisted Airmen, and those with an approved retirement, the opportunity to return to active duty to alleviate manning shortages.

The Secretary of the Air Force has reimplemented the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program in an effort to leverage the talents of our highly trained and experienced officer and enlisted military retirees to help minimize the service's critical manning shortages. Application window opens Feb. 8, 2024.

Military retirees shall be ordered to active duty with full pay and allowances. In general, a retired member recalled to active duty will serve in the member's retired grade. Military retiree categories are defined as follows: Category I: non-disability retirees under age 60 who have been retired fewer than 5 years.

For the Air Force, common retirement ranks include Master Sergeant (E-7), Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), and Lieutenant Colonel (O-5). Non-commissioned officers, such as Master Sergeant and Senior Master Sergeant, often retire after more than 20 years, having excelled in specialized fields and leadership roles.

Unfortunately, the age limit for joining the military currently ranges from 17 to 41 years old. The age limit differs based on branch and type of enlistment.

For example, if a 37-year-old Marine with 10 years of service desires to reenlist in the Marine Corps, his/her age will be 27 for enlistment purposes. Although the maximum age for enlistment is 35, any individual older than 28 is required to request an age waiver.

Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You'll get your Social Security benefit based on your earnings and the age you choose to start receiving benefits. While you're in military service, you pay Social Security taxes, just as civilian employees do.

The US Air Force has conducted the final flight of the T-1 Jayhawk medium-range trainer jet, marking its retirement after three decades. The aircraft flew from Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas to Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona for the ceremony.

Defined Benefit: Monthly retired pay for life after at least 20 years of service (so if you retire at 20 years of service, you will get 40% of your highest 36 months of base pay). Retired pay will be calculated as follows: (Years of creditable service x 2.0%) x average of highest 36 months basic pay.

The program allows for up to 1,000 retired officers or enlisted troops to return to Active Duty. The deadline for applications is Jan. 31, 2026, and the period of service is limited to 48 months.

Can you be called back to active duty after honorable discharge? ›

Veterans with an honorable discharge may reenlist if they want to continue a military career.

WHOM TO SALUTE.

—Enlisted personnel salute all officers, and officers salute their seniors. Salutes are returned by persons saluted except when they are uncovered—the person saluted should acknowledge the salute with an appropriate greeting or a nod of the head.

The select individuals who make up Air Force Special Warfare are the toughest, most highly trained warriors on the planet. Experts in extremely specialized mission sets, they regularly embed with other branches to provide skills no one else can.

THE MOST ELITE WARRIORS ON THE PLANET

Air Force Special Warfare specialists are the ones other special forces look to when the mission calls for their unique skills and fearless commitment. Special Warfare Airmen can receive up to $90,000 in enlistment bonuses.

How much does a Retired Lieutenant Colonel make in Ashland, California? As of Sep 12, 2024, the average annual pay for a Retired Lieutenant Colonel in Ashland is $85,936 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $41.32 an hour.

Retired applicants selected for Extended Active Duty can expect to return to active duty anywhere from 4 to 6 months from their date of application.

Airmen and Guardians may be considered for reenlistment or extension if they meet eligibility requirements, have qualities essential for continued service, and can perform duty in a career field in which the Department has a specific need.

Apply through an Air Force recruiter via your local recruitment office, over the telephone or online. Once you are confirmed to meet all our requirements, you'll be moved into testing. Prior-service members interested in applying through the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty (VRRAD) program can apply below.

Members of all branches of the military may join the Air Force Reserve even if they have not served in the Air Force. Those with prior service do not repeat Basic Military Training, usually keep their rank, and are entitled to many other benefits, including low-cost medical insurance.