Army Retention

To sustain personnel readiness by reenlisting qualified Soldiers, transferring Soldiers to the Reserve Components, aligning force structure, and supporting special programs.

Any commander in a Soldier’s chain of command.

Failing standards in performance, conduct, medical, fitness, or administrative requirements.

The Soldier must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawfully admitted permanent resident.

A bar is a probationary or rehabilitative measure, intended to put a Soldier on notice that they do not meet standards, but are being given a chance to correct the deficiency or shortcoming.

Any commander in the Soldier’s chain of command.

To sustain readiness by reenlisting quality Soldiers, transferring Soldiers to the Reserve Components, aligning force structure, and supporting special programs.

AR 601-280

The Secretary of the Army

Every three months.

In AR 600-9.

Reenlistment creates a new service contract, while extension lengthens the existing contract.

Yes, a Soldier may request separation if barred from continued service.

Two, three, four, five, and six years.

At least 12 months.

The immediate commander.

Qualification for discharge, qualification for reenlistment, qualification for waivers if needed, determination of reenlistment periods, and determination of reenlistment options.

A Soldier must be at least 18 and cannot serve beyond the age of 60.

Retention Control Point.

Every three months.

The first general officer in the chain of command or The General Court-Martial Convening Authority.

At least 12 months before expiration of term of service.

The Selective Retention Bonus, with at least a three-year reenlistment required.

At least six years with a commitment to serve four more.

Six years.

Disciplinary record, nonjudicial punishment, aptitude scores, evaluations, duty performance, potential, leadership, standards adherence, career progression, and combinations of these.