Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-73not60

§20505 Officer Considered for Removal: Voluntary Retirement or Discharge

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

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

When an officer is being removed from Space Force active duty, the Secretary of the Air Force can let the officer retire early if they qualify, or allow a discharge under subsection (b)(2). If an officer is removed under section 20503 and is eligible for voluntary retirement on the date of removal, they must be retired at the grade and with the retired pay they would get under that law. If they are not eligible for voluntary retirement on that date, they must be discharged in the grade they hold: honorably discharged if the case came under section 20501(a), or discharged if it came under section 20501(b). An officer discharged under subsection (b)(2) may receive separation pay if they meet the requirements of section 1174(a)(2).

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 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60