AF prep. school

JSF-35 Pilot 2016 · Dec 17, 2009

Ok, I was wondering when you accept a prep school offer does that count towards retirement? My USNA teacher discussed that if I got Prep school, take it, for it will help in retirement....and on a side note.....if I were to say enlist in the Air National guard and attend college and reapply would I be able to negogiate my contract with the Air Force? Thank you.

Go Jets, Go Eagles, and Go Falcons!!!

mdsu · Dec 17, 2009

no, prep school or your 4 years at the academy does not count toward retirement. your first day as a 2nd LT. is when your build up to 20 years starts.

flieger83 · Dec 17, 2009

mdsu said:
no, prep school or your 4 years at the academy does not count toward retirement. your first day as a 2nd LT. is when your build up to 20 years starts.

Are you sure of that regarding the prep school? To attend you must enlist, and while in Title 18 or 10 (I never can remember which) it specifically spells out that cadet/midshipmen time does count for service but NOT for retirement, I do not recall seeing that statement regarding the PS.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

JSF-35 Pilot 2016 · Dec 18, 2009

Yes, that's why I think it's weird. Some enlisted personal told me while I visited West Point that their 4 years there counts toward retirement literally meaning they can retire at 38! with o-4 or o-5 pay....

mdsu · Dec 18, 2009

see i dont think the 4 years at the academy count, you probably get time for service but as far as getting a retirement check for doing at least 20 years, idk about that.

J Collins · Dec 19, 2009

I believe all the prep schools run the same ?!?!? I know at CGA Scholars the kids are enlisted as a reservist on Active Duty, she is an E-2, when my daughter graduates from the Academy she will only have to serve 19 yrs then she can retire with 20 (because her time at prep school counts as active duty time).

.. but any other information I have gotten is different from one person to another... (I do not think that the time as enlsited is long enough to get them more $$ (prior enlisted) upon becoming and 0-1)

.. other have told me that if you attend the academy AFTER being enlisted that that times counts toward service as well... but I really do not know that info.

Maximus · Dec 19, 2009

USMAPS CC's handbook states:

Oath of Enlistment
All Candidates who enter the prep school will take the
Oath of Enlistment on R-Day.
Candidates who enter the prep school as Invitational
Reservists will enlist into the Army Reserve and immediately
enter on active duty for the duration of the prep
school Program. This active duty time is accounted for in
order to establish entry dates that will later be used for
retirement and longevity pay purposes.

flieger83 · Dec 19, 2009

JSF-35 Pilot 2016 said:
Yes, that's why I think it's weird. Some enlisted personal told me while I visited West Point that their 4 years there counts toward retirement literally meaning they can retire at 38! with o-4 or o-5 pay....

That isn't correct.

A service academy graduate DOES receive "credit" for service (that's why you see newly graduated 2Lt's from USAFA wearing the USAF longevity service ribbon showing 4 years service) however US Code specifically states that Cadets and Midshipmen do NOT receive "retirement credit for service as cadets or midshipmen."

There was actually a West Point grad that appealed that in the 1920's and won in the lower courts but lost in the end and US Code was amended to specifically state that.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83