Which
System Applies to You
To decide which system applies to you, you must determine the date that
you FIRST entered the military. This date is called the DIEMS (Date of
Initial Entry to Military Service) or DIEUS (Date of Initial Entry to
Uniformed Services). The date you first entered the military is the first
time you enlisted or joined the active or reserves. This date is fixed---it
does not change. Departing the military and rejoining does not affect
your DIEMS.
Some individuals have unique circumstances that complicate determining
their DIEMS. Here are a few examples:
- The DIEMS for Academy graduates who entered the Academy with no prior
service is the date they reported to the Academy, not the date they
graduated.
- Beginning an ROTC scholarship program or enlisting as a Reserve in
the Senior ROTC program sets the DIEMS, not the graduation or commissioning
date.
- Members who entered the military, separated, and then rejoined the
military have a DIEMS based on entering the first period of military
service.
- The DIEMS for members who enlisted under the delayed entry program
is when they entered the delayed entry program, not when they initially
reported for duty.
- For those who joined the Reserves and later joined the active component,
their DIEMS is the date they joined the Reserves.
Be aware that your pay date may be different than your DIEMS. Also, your
DIEMS does not determine when you have enough time in the service to retire---it
only determines which retirement system applies to you.
Not all Services have their DIEMS dates properly defined in their personnel
records. If you have unusual circumstances and are unsure of when your
DIEMS date is or believe your records show an incorrect DIEMS date, contact
your personnel office to discuss your particular situation.
Now, based upon the date you initially entered the military, you can
determine which retirement system applies to you.
Retirement
System |
Criteria
to Receive |
Final Pay |
Entry before
September 8, 1980 |
High-3 |
Entry on or
after September 8, 1980, but before August 1, 1986 OR
Entered on or after August 1, 1986, AND did not choose the Career
Status Bonus and REDUX retirement system |
CSB/REDUX |
Entered on
or after August 1, 1986, AND elected to receive the Career Status
Bonus (if you do not elect to receive the Career Status Bonus, you
will be under the High-3 retirement system) |
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