Continuation Retention

Reserve Officer Continuation and Retention

This page addresses only Reserve officers who are serving in Ready Reserve (SELRES, VTU, IRR) or Standby Reserve-Active (USNR-S1) status.  It does not address Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) officers.

Reserve Officer current Attrition List.
 

Reserve Officer Retention and Continuation Board Process 

*IMPORTANT CHANGE*

FY-26 Closeout Reminders
The last monthly FY-26 panel will be on 31 Aug 2026. Packages are due NLT 15 Aug 2026 for applicants with an attrition date no earlier than 1 Sep 2026 and no later than 31 Jan 2027.

NAVADMIN 106/26 announces beginning 01 OCT 2026, Reserve Officer Retention and Continuation boards for eligible SELRES, IRR, and Standby Reserve-Active (USNR-S1) officers will transition from monthly panels to a semi-annual (twice a year) board process. 

This policy change directly impacts Reserve officers approaching statutory separation based on age, promotion failures, or length of service. Under Title 10 U.S.C. (Chapters 1407 and 1409), you must be approved for retention or continuation to remain on the Reserve Active Status List (RASL) if you meet any of the following criteria:
* Age Limits: Approaching Age 60 or 61 (or 68 for certain designators)
* Reaching Statutory Years of Commissioned Service (YCS) or twice failing of selection (2x FOS) for promotion for Commissioned Officers
* Reaching statutory limits for Total Qualifying Service (TQS) for Chief Warrant Officers (CWOs)

Who This Affects:

* Any officer reaching Age 60 or 61 during CY26 or CY27
* Any Medical or Chaplain Corps officer requesting retention up to age 68
o Age 60: Without approved retention, separation will occur on the date when the officer reaches 60 years of age
o Age 60–62: Officers must request and receive approved retention to serve past age 60 (up to age 62)
o Retention of Chaplains and Officers in the Medical Subspecialties: Reserve officers in the Medical Corps (2105), Dental Corps (2205), Nurse Corps (2905), Medical Service Corps (2305) (designated to perform service as an optometrist, podiatrist, allied health officer or biomedical sciences officer) and Chaplain Corps (4105), who are identified by Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNP) as possessing necessary skills, may be retained on the RASL if approved up until the date on which the officer reaches 68 years of age.

* Any officer who falls into one of the categories below:
o CAPT: 30 YCS – may remain on RASL only if continued (up to a maximum of 35 total YCS)
o CDR: 28 YCS – may remain on RASL only if continued (up to a maximum of 33 total YCS)
o LCDR: 20 YCS – may remain on RASL only if continued (up to a maximum of 24 total YCS)
o LT: 2x FOS – may remain on RASL with an approved continuation (up to a maximum of 4x FOS or up to 20 YCS)
o CWO3 & CWO4: 2x FOS (after 20 TQS) - may remain on RASL if continued (up to 33 years and 6 months TQS)
o CWO5: 33 TQS – may remain on RASL with an approved continuation (up to a maximum of 35 years and 60 days of TQS)
If you are unsure of your statutory attrition date, check the attrition list above on this webpage. If you still have questions/concerns, contact PERS-911D at PERS-911-D@us.navy.mil.

New Changes:

* Beginning FY27, Reserve Officer Retention and Continuation Boards will be semi-annual. There will no longer be monthly panels. The FY27 board convening dates are 18 Jan 2027 & 19 Jul 2027.   
o To be considered for the 18 Jan 2027 board, applicants need to have an attrition date no earlier than 01 Feb 2027 and no later than 31 Jul 2027. Packages are due no later than 15 Nov 2026. Late packages will not be accepted. 
o To be considered for the 19 July 2027 board, applicants need to have an attrition date no earlier than 01 Aug 2027 and no later than 31 Jan 2028. Packages are due no later than 15 May 2027. Late packages will not be accepted. 
o To close out the FY26 monthly panels, the last monthly panel will be on 31 Aug 2026. Packages are due NLT 15 Aug 2026 for applicants with an attrition date no earlier than 1 Sep 2026 and no later than 31 Jan 2027.
* There is not an appeals process for Retention and Continuation Board decisions. Once DCNP approves the Board results, decisions are final.


FY-27 Board Schedule & Deadlines: 

Applications are grouped by scheduled attrition date; late packages will not be accepted. 
Board Convene Date
 

* FY-26 Closeout Reminder: The final monthly transition panel is 31 Aug 2026 (for attrition dates no later than 31 Jan 2027). Packages are due NLT 15 Aug 2026 (2359 CST).

Application Submission & Key Info:

* How to Apply: Email completed applications to PERS-911-D@us.navy.mil.
* Subject Line: FY-27 Reserve Officer Retention/Continuation Request
* Notifications: Results will be posted on the MyNavy HR Reserve Officer Continuation and Retention page within 10 days of board adjournment. Official letters with updated attrition dates will follow within 2 weeks
* Appeals: There is not an appeal process; once approved by DCNP decisions are final.

Required Application Package Checklist:    

All documents must be compiled and emailed together. Incomplete packages will not be processed.

1. Resolution of Status Form: Current address must be filled out. If the officer requesting continuation/retention did not receive the resolution of status form, please email PERS-911-D@us.navy.mil.
2. Member's Personal Statement: A standard letter detailing request. While there is no rigid format required, briefly state reasons for requesting retention or continuation and specify the requested date. 
3. NRC CO Endorsement: Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Commanding Officer must provide an endorsement in accordance with the Navy Correspondence Manual (SECNAV M-5216.5). Additional endorsements from unit chain of command are optional.
4. Fitness Reports (FITREPs): Include three (3) most recent consecutive FITREPs.
5. Active-Duty Orders (If Applicable): If currently on active-duty orders (e.g., MOB, Recall, ADOS, IA) at the time of request, submit a:
* Copy of the active-duty orders.
* CO endorsement from gaining command.
6. Flag/SES Endorsement (O-6 & W-5 Only): Retention/Continuation applications for Captains (O-6) and Chief Warrant Officer Fives (CWO5) must include an endorsement with rank/rate from the:
* First Flag Officer, General Officer, or Senior Executive Service (SES) member in chain of command, and/or Reserve Component Flag Officer Community Sponsor.
  * Note: Ensure the endorser’s rank, rate, or grade is included.

Changes in Your Navy Reserve Status letters are being emailed to your official email address in NSIPS, mailed to the address in NSIPS, and submitted into the OMPF. A copy is sent to the members’ NRC and REDCOM. It is imperative that you verify and update your mailing address and email address in NSIPS so that you do not miss any communications and deadlines.

Community Quotas & Health:

It is important to note that retention and continuation are not guaranteed and are subject to the following constraints:
* Service Needs: Quotas are limited based on total end strength and specific community health needs.
* Alignment with Promotions: Available quotas for each community will align with BUPERS-315 annual promotion planning efforts.

Statutory Attrition Dates & Continuation Limits (Title 10 U.S.C.):
 
* LT (2X FOS to LCDR):
o Attrition Date: Separation or retirement occurs on the 1st day of the 7th month after the promotion board results are officially approved.
o Continuation Limit: May request continuation up to 20 Years of Commissioned Service (YCS) or a maximum of 4 total promotion looks (whichever occurs first).
o Statutory Sanctuary (10 U.S.C. § 12646): Automatically protects members who have between 18 and 20 qualifying years of total service (combined enlisted + officer "good years") on their attrition date. The Navy must retain the member until they reach exactly 20 qualifying years to secure their non-regular retirement.
* Critical Age Limits: Statutory age limits supersede sanctuary. An officer cannot use sanctuary to bypass mandatory retirement age limits:
o Age 60: Without an approved continuation or retention request, an officer will be separated/retired on the date they reach 60 years of age.
o Age 60 to 62 (10 U.S.C. § 14509): Officers must request and be approved for retention to serve past age 60, up to a maximum statutory limit of 62 years of age (retained up to age 68 for certain communities such as healthcare/chaplain corps if approved under 10 U.S.C. § 14703).
o No Sanctuary Past 62: If a member reaches age 62 before completing their 20 qualifying years, they cannot be retained under sanctuary guidelines without a specific age waiver from the Secretary of the Navy.
 
* LCDR (2X FOS to CDR):
o Attrition Date: The latter of the following two dates:
* The 1st day of the month following the completion of 20 Years of Commissioned Service (YCS)
* The 1st day of the 7th month after the release of the 2X FOS board results
o Continuation Limit: May request to be continued up to 24 YCS

* CDR (Not on CAPT promotion list):
o Attrition Date: 1st day of the month following completion of 28 YCS
o Continuation Limit: May request to be continued up to 33 YCS

* CAPT (Not on Flag promotion list):
o Attrition Date: 1st day of the month following completion of 30 YCS
o Continuation Limit: May request to be continued up to 35 YCS
 

Age-Based Continuation/Retention Rules:

* Age 60: Without approved continuation/retention, separation will occur on the date the officer reaches 60 years of age
* Age 60–62: Officers must request and be approved for retention to serve past age 60 (up to age 62)
* Retention of Chaplains and Officers in the Medical Subspecialties: Reserve officers in the Medical Corps (2105), Dental Corps (2205), Nurse Corps (2905), Medical Service Corps (2305) (designated to perform service as an optometrist, podiatrist, allied health officer or biomedical sciences officer) and Chaplain Corps (4105), who are identified as possessing necessary skills, may be retained on the RASL if approved up until the date on which the officer reaches 68 years of age.

FAQs: 

Q: What is a Continuation/Retention Board? 
A: These boards allow eligible Reserve Officers to request to be retained or continued on the Reserve Active Status List (RASL) up to statutory limitations as outlined in the FY-27 Navy Reserve Officer Retention and Continuation Plan and in accordance with the needs of the Navy. 
Q: I am unsure of my attrition date, what should I do? 
A: Check the attrition list on the MyNavy HR Reserve Officer Continuation and Retention page. This will be updated monthly. If you are still unsure of your date, email PERS-911D at PERS-911-D@us.navy.mil to verify. Note that PERS-911D will only review packages for officers who are within 12 months of their scheduled attrition (separation or retirement) date.
Q: My attrition date is Dec 2026, when is my Continuation/Retention package due and when is my board? 
A: To close out the FY26 panel process, the last eligibility screenings for FY26 will take place on 31 Aug 2026. This panel is for applicants with an attrition date no earlier than 1 Sep 2026 and no later than 31 Jan 2027. Therefore, your package would be due NLT 15 Aug 2026. 
Q: My attrition date is May 2027, when is my Continuation/Retention package due and when is my board? 
A: The 18 Jan 2027 board is for applicants with an attrition date between 1 Feb 2027 and 31 Jul 2027. Therefore, your package would be due NLT 15 Nov 2027.  
Q: My attrition date is Oct 2027, when is my Continuation/Retention package due and when is my board? 
A: The 19 Jul 2027 board is for applicants with an attrition date between 1 Aug 2027 and 31 Jan 2028. Therefore, your package would be due NLT 15 May 2027.
Q: If my continuation or retention request is approved, how long will I be approved for?
A: If approved, most officers are typically granted an extension of up to 12 additional months of service. Even if you request a longer period, approvals are often capped at 12 months at a time to support Navy community health, rank structure, and fiscal year promotion planning initiatives. You must submit a new request if you wish to continue past that initial 12-month extension. 

Helpful Links: 

* FY27 Navy Reserve Officer Continuation and Retention Policy 
* NAVADMIN106/26 FY27 Officer Retention and Continuation Boards