My wife and I are both leaving AD in the next 12 months. We have discussed the reserves and she might stay reserves for the benefits. My new schedule won't be very conducive to drilling every month, so I had a few questions for those who are doing it or have done it.

Can she group drills together and do them in lumps instead of every month?

With 10.5 years AD, how long will she have to drill before she totals enough points to retire?

I have heard rumors of the retirement pay entitlement age going up; what's your take on it?


And last, if you're using United Concordia for family dental plans, how do you like it?

Thanks for any help!

Scott

Scott;
The folks from the CGR office up here should be contacting you both before your EOS and trying to 'recruit' you in. If you don't hear from them, drop me a line.
MC

Drill schedules depend on the unit one is assigned to.

Retirement is not so much a matter of total retirement points, but total number of "satisfactory years." Reservists are eligible for retirement after 20 earning satisfactory years - this may take more than 20 actual years...

With 10.5 years of active service, she'd have to drill another 9.5 years, earning at least 50 retirement points/year - this defines a "satisfactory year" for retirement purposes.

You might want to look at the Reserve Policy Manual (available in the CG Directives System) and the CGR website.

United Concordia worked well enough for me.

Regarding a "good reserve year" for retirement:

A reservist automatically gets 15 points a year for just being a member.

If the reservist does their 12 days of ADT (Active Duty for Training) a year, that's a total of 27 points already.

48 points are available for monthly drills (four points per month).

A good year coincides with anniversary year (when someone enlists), not fiscal year (1 October).

So, with that said, 50 points per anniversary year is a good year for retirement.

quote:

Can she group drills together and do them in lumps instead of every month?

This will depend on the unit she drills at. CPO Kalbach

Aye Aye Master Chief! Thanks to all the responses thus far. It's going to be a difficult decision, simply because getting a guarantee on the things most important to us just isn't possible. I think talking with a recruiter might be a good call. Hmmmmmm, maybe I'll call CPO Kalbach! Thanks again!

quote:

Hmmmmmm, maybe I'll call CPO Kalbach! Thanks again!

I appreciate the confidence in me, since your wife is still in service, she will need to be in contact with the Interservice Transition Team at Coast Guard Recruiting Command. I can definately put you in touch with them. CPO Kalbach

Once you've left AD, how long (or what age) can you go an still enlist in the reserves? At what point do you lose your rate?

Were you ever contacted by the team mentioned above? They should have the answer, but you can also look at the CG recruting site or in the CG Recruiting Manual. As always, needs of the service apply.

quote:

Once you've left AD, how long (or what age) can you go an still enlist in the reserves? At what point do you lose your rate?

When I've dealt with the Rating Force Master Chiefs, 5 years is always the word, after 5 years, the person would need retraining. I'm sure for some of the jobs it may be less time. ISTT at CGRC should be able to help you out. CPO Kalbach

Just an FYI.. If you do not enlist in the Reserves the day after your EOE, then you will have to go through the whole medical enlistment ordeal to enlist. You can always enlist in the Reserves and if it's not working for you, request a transfer to the IRR for a brief period. MOST units will work with you to bundle your drills, I wouldn't worry about that.
Someone had mentioned 50 points are needed for a good year.. It actually changed to 70 several years ago.
I spent 11.5 years on active and have been in the Reserves for 2 (husband is active Army).
Best of luck!

quote:

Someone had mentioned 50 points are needed for a good year...It actually changed to 70 several years ago.

Really? Please provide a reference. The CG Reserve Policy Manual states it only requires 50 points/year for a good year for retirement purposes.

Don't be confused by the requirements for the CG Reserve Good Conduct Medal, which requires 3 consecutive years of earning 70 retirement points or more.

I got off AD recently, and my Reserve Command has been very accommodating.

quote:

Originally posted by tip_dog:

quote:

Someone had mentioned 50 points are needed for a good year...It actually changed to 70 several years ago.

Really? Please provide a reference. The CG Reserve Policy Manual states it only requires 50 points/year for a good year for retirement purposes.

Don't be confused by the requirements for the CG Reserve Good Conduct Medal, which requires 3 consecutive years of earning 70 retirement points or more.

I believe you are correct...50 for a good year towards retirement.