108 Solutions Military Life: Retention Control Points

Retention Control Points (RCPs) for the Army lower the time Soldiers and junior noncommissioned officers (NCOs) can remain at their current rank by an average of three years. The new RCPs affect active-duty Soldiers and those in the Active Guard Reserve, or AGR force. They apply neither to Army Reserve/National Guard Soldiers nor members who have been mobilized.

The main goal for the current Retention Control Points for the Army were established in 2012, to motivate Soldiers to step up their professional development. The Military wants all of its members to be promoted with their peers. The idea is that this will lead our service members into more promising careers after the completion of their term. For those of you who do not pay attention to your RCPs, it could result in a major change in your career path and separate you from your active-duty service in an untimely manner.

Retention Control Point Change Breakdown by Rank

E1 Private (PVT) - E3 Private First Class (PFC)
Total Active Service in Years (Old): 8 Years
Total Active Service in Years (New): 5 Years

E4 Corporal (CPL)/ Specialist (SPC)
Total Active Service in Years (Old): 10 Years
Total Active Service in Years (New): 8 Years

E4 Corporal (CPL)/ Specialist (SPC) Promotable
Total Active Service in Years (Old): 15 Years
Total Active Service in Years (New): 12 Years

E5 Sergeant (SGT)
Total Active Service in Years (Old): 15 Years
Total Active Service in Years (New): 13 Years

E5 Sergeant (SGT) Promotable
Total Active Service in Years (Old): 20 Years
Total Active Service in Years (New): 15 Years

E6 Staff Sergeant (SSG)
Total Active Service in Years (Old): 23 Years
Total Active Service in Years (New): 20 Years

E6 Staff Sergeant (SSG) Promotable
Total Active Service in Years (No Change): 26 Years

E7 Sergeant First Class (SFC)
Total Active Service in Years (No Change): 26 Years

E7 Sergeant First Class (SFC) Promotable
Total Active Service in Years (No Change): 29 Years

E8 First Sergeant (1SG) / Master Sergeant (MSG)
Total Active Service in Years (No Change): 29 Years

E8 First Sergeant (1SG) / Master Sergeant (MSG) Promotable
Total Active Service in Years (No Change): 32 Years

E9 Command Sergeant Major (CSM) / Sergeant Major (SGM)
Total Active Service in Years (No Change): 32 Years

Additional Information Regarding Retention Control Points (RCPs)

- A Soldier may not exceed the RCPs shown above by more than a month before expiration of his/her contracted service (reenlistment or extension).

- If a soldier is serving on an indefinite reenlistment (usually reserved for E5 and higher) and they exceed their RCPs as the result of a reduction in grade, they may perform active service until their RCPs for the lower grade, or minimum retirement eligibility, whichever occurs later.

- Soldiers who reach their RCP will be allowed to serve until their contracted Expiration Term of Service (ETS).

- Soldiers with an indefinite enlistment will be allowed to reach their minimum retirement date.

- Those soldiers with 18 years of service will be allowed to stay on active-duty through 20 years. If they are not under the indefinite reenlistment, and they have 20 or more years of active federal service, and they will exceed the new RCPs for their current rank, they may serve until their current ETS date. Soldiers in this category who are eligible may apply for retirement.

- Soldiers with less than 18 years AFS serving indefinite reenlistments who exceed RCPs as the result of a reduction in rank may serve to minimum retirement eligibility unless they are separated earlier under applicable administrative, physical disability, or UCMJ separation provisions.

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