Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-73

§20505 Officer considered for removal: voluntary retirement or discharge

Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle F— - Alternative Military Personnel Systems › Part PART I— - SPACE FORCE › Chapter CHAPTER 2011— - SEPARATION OF OFFICERS FOR SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE OF DUTY OR FOR CERTAIN OTHER REASONS › § 20505

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of the Air Force can let a Space Force officer facing removal ask to retire voluntarily, if they qualify, or ask to be discharged. If removed under section 20503 and eligible for retirement on that date, the officer must be retired in the grade and with the retired pay they would get. If not eligible, the officer will be discharged in their current grade—honorably if the case was under subsection (a) of section 20501, otherwise discharged. A discharged officer may get separation pay under section 1174(a)(2) if they qualify.

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §20505

Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)At any time during proceedings under this chapter with respect to the removal of an officer from a space force active status, the Secretary of the Air Force may grant a request by the officer—

(1)for voluntary retirement, if the officer is qualified for retirement; or

(2)for discharge in accordance with subsection (b)(2).

(b)An officer removed from a space force active status under section 20503 of this title shall—

(1)if eligible for voluntary retirement under any provision of law on the date of such removal, be retired in the grade and with the retired pay for which the officer would be eligible if retired under such provision; and

(2)if ineligible for voluntary retirement under any provision of law on the date of such removal—

(A)be honorably discharged in the grade then held, in the case of an officer whose case was brought under subsection (a) of section 20501 of this title; or

(B)be discharged in the grade then held, in the case of an officer whose case was brought under subsection (b) of section 20501 of this title.

(c)An officer who is discharged under subsection (b)(2) is entitled, if eligible therefor, to separation pay under section 1174(a)(2) of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 20505

Title 10 — Armed Forces

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73