157 Released Near Retirement Lost Pensions, Medical Coverage

A large Air Force Reduction in Force (RIF) ordered by the Obama administration has resulted in some 157 USAF majors being involuntarily separated from the service without their retirement and medical benefits, according to the Chapman University of Military Law.

The institutes's director, Maj. Kyndra Routunda, told the Washington, D.C.-based website The Daily Caller that according to DoD rules service members within six years of retirement would normally be allowed to stay in the service and retire on schedule with full benefits unless there were disciplinary problems or other extenuating circumstances.

Air Force Spokesman Kichael Dickerson told the website that if an officer was not selected for promotion twice in a row they could be involuntarily discharged unless they are two years or closer to retirement ...  a process called "selective continuation." He said that deviations are allowed from the six-year window if it determined to be necessary by the secretary of the military department making the RIF. He said the size of the officer corps was determined to be larger than the Air Force's needs.

Routunda contends that DoD rules do not allow for dismissal of officers for financial reasons. The institution had asked for Congress to reinstate a Temporary Early Retirement Plan for the RIFfed officers. The legislature took such a move in the 1990s during a draw-down of officers following the first Gulf War.

FMI: www.chapman.edu/militaryLawInstitute/