A new Army Directive removes barriers for retired regular Army warrant officers to serve in either the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard. This will allow the reserve components (RC) to benefit from the talents of these highly-skilled Soldiers.

The retired regular Army warrant officers will now be able to continue their Army careers in the RC, while also receiving retirement pay. Warrant officers’ date of rank will be based on their last promotion or appointment, and they can compete for promotion within the RC just as they would on active duty. Their retirement pay may be recalculated at end of service for additional service gained within the RC.

According to the policy, a retired regular Army warrant officer who elects to receive compensation for service is required to waive one day of retired pay for each calendar day they perform reserve duty. Because of the RC pay structure, the pay for performing one duty day in the Army Reserve or National Guard could be greater than one day of retirement pay for most warrant officers.

Army Directive 2021-28 will help the Army retain talent by allowing retired warrant officers to continue to contribute their unique knowledge and skills, and will ensure the Army has the right talent to succeed in the 21st century.

For more information, contact Lt. Col. Junel Jeffrey, HQDA G-1 public affairs officer, at junel.r.jeffrey.mil@mail.mil, or Hank Minitrez, Deputy G-1 PAO, at henry.c.minitrez.civ@mail.mil