Some colonels, lieutenant colonels get to retire sooner Published June 7, 2007 WASHINGTON -- Starting this year, 126 Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonels and 30 colonels will get to retire after two years time in grade instead of three years. The secretary of the Air Force authorized reducing the time-in-grade requirement on March 22. However, the law specifies that no more than 2 percent of a grade's authorized end strength can retire each year. The change in policy covers all colonels. For lieutenant colonels, it specifically applies to those affected by Base Realignment and Closure actions, Programmatic Budget Directive 720 and other force structure changes. Traditional reservists, members of the Active Guard and Reserve and air reserve technicians are eligible. However, AGRs and ARTs have certain restrictions. Authority to retire with two years time in grade is not retroactive and it does not apply to any previous retirements. In recent years the Air Force Reserve Command promoted more lieutenant colonels to colonel than it had available colonel positions, said Col. Shaun Kelleher, chief of the directorate of personnel's force management policy division in the Office of Air Force Reserve. "Like other recent changes in force management policy, this initiative helps us strategically shape the force to assist in managing colonels in the Air Force Reserve," he said. "Specifically, the 2-percent rule allows a maximum of 126 O-5s and 30 O-6s to retire per year with a minimum of two years time in grade. Although the total number of people affected is relatively small, this policy tool still helps reduce inventory and allows greater flexibility in our force shaping efforts." A working group of legal and personnel experts from the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Headquarters AFRC, its Readiness Management Group and the Office of Air Force Reserve developed the implementation plan. They will continue to analyze and manage this plan to meet the needs of the operational Air Force Reserve. More information about the policy is available at http://arpc.afrc.af.mil (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)