Officer Transfers and Discharges - Army Publishing Directorate ...

d. An officer who is commissioned through a funded program or a training recipient (for example, AMEDD, FLEP,
USMA, ROTC, or special procurement programs) will not be released until completion of that initial Service school
obligation. An officer serving under a contractual agreement, such as but not limited to incentive special pay, medical
additional special pay, medical officer retention bonus, or nurse accession bonus, will not be released until completion
of the service obligation. In addition, an officer will not be released from AD until the compulsory obligation acquired
as a result of completing flight school is served. However, when extenuating circumstances exist, an officer may
request a hardship separation in accordance with paragraph 2–9.
e. An officer who remains on AD will be assigned to an area where concurrent travel of dependents is authorized
until completion of the initial service obligation.
f. If, before the REFRAD is accomplished, a medical officer determines that a pregnancy has terminated for any
reason (including birth) the authority for separation no longer exists.
g. A pregnant officer may request leave of absence per AR 600–8–10.
h. An officer may request a specific separation date. However, the separation authority and the officer’s military
physician will determine the separation date. The date must not be later than 30 calendar days before the expected date
of delivery, or the date is the latest date her military physician will authorize her to travel to her home of record or
entry on AD location, whichever date is earlier.
i. An officer released under honorable conditions who is pregnant at the time of release is entitled to maternity care
per AR 40–400. These medical benefits are limited to care in military hospitals and do not, regardless of circumstances,
include care obtained in civilian hospitals.
j. Characterization of service for REFRAD due to pregnancy may be characterized as honorable or under honorable
conditions.
2–14. Steps for processing voluntary release from active duty due to pregnancy
The steps required for processing voluntary REFRAD due to pregnancy are as shown in table 2–5.
Section VII
Task: Process Voluntary Release from Active Duty of an Obligated Officer to Attend School
2–15. Rules for processing voluntary release from active duty of an obligated officer to attend school
a. An officer who is serving the initial tour of AD and who is not mission essential, may request REFRAD to attend
a recognized institution of higher education. An officer who is commissioned through a funded program or a training
recipient (for example, AMEDD, FLEP, USMA, ROTC, or special procurement programs) will not be released until
completion of that initial Service school obligation. Recognized institutions are those listed (or determined eligible for
such listing) by the Department of Education. The course of instruction that the officer has requested enrollment in
must lead to an associate or higher degree.
b. A commander with SAA may approve requests with the exception of the following:
(1) AMEDD officers.
(2) The Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) officers.
(3) Chaplains.
(4) Officers requesting to attend foreign schools.
(5) Officers requesting to attend theological schools that are not listed and are not eligible for listing, in the
Education Directory, part 3.
c. If the application is approved, HRC–Alexandria (AHRC–OPD–A) (or HRC–St. Louis (AHRC–AR) for USAR
AGR officers) will forward the separation instructions to the appropriate PSC/MPD.
d . I f t h e a p p l i c a t i o n i s d i s a p p r o v e d , H R C – A l e x a n d r i a ( A H R C – O P D – A ) , H Q D A ( D A J A – P T ) , o r H Q D A
(DACH–PER), as applicable (or HRC–St. Louis (AHRC–AR) for USAR AGR officers), will return the application to
the officer through channels.
e. Early release of a Medical or Dental Corps officer to accept residency training or fellowship positions, leading to
a specialty board eligibility and/or internship, is not authorized under this regulation unless the officer is enrolled in a
degree program. If the officer is enrolled in a degree program, he or she may request release, with appropriate evidence
of enrollment from the educational institution. An officer should not seek a residency position with a reporting date
prior to expiration of an AD tour. An officer serving on an initial tour of AD may request a short-term extension of AD
under the provisions of AR 135–215 when the officer is unable to secure a residency appointment on the expiration of
the term of service or when the officer intends to ensure employment until acceptance in a program.
f. The officer’s school reporting date must be in the last 3 months of the officer’s remaining active service.
Normally, the effective date of early release will not be earlier than 10 calendar days before the class starting date.
Accrued leave will not be added to extend this period. As an exception, an officer may be separated up to 30 calendar
days before the class start date. Exceptions of this nature are authorized in the case of an officer who is returning from
OCONUS and moving Family to the location of the educational institution or when because of the school’s latest
registration date (relating to class start date), later REFRAD of the officer would cause undue hardship. When late
20 AR 600–8–24 12 April 2006