Army makes new adjustments to retention rules amid high demand for reenlistment

By U.S. Army G-1 Public AffairsMay 20, 2025

Sgt. Sylvia Lemus, the personnel readiness noncommissioned officer-in-charge assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, shakes hands with Lt. Col. John Hermida, the personnel readiness manager for 3rd ABCT, 4th ID,...
Sgt. Sylvia Lemus, the personnel readiness noncommissioned officer-in-charge assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, shakes hands with Lt. Col. John Hermida, the personnel readiness manager for 3rd ABCT, 4th ID, following her reenlistment ceremony at Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland, Aug. 12, 2024. 3rd ABCT, 4th ID is among other units assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Kimberly Blair) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON — Amid continued high demand for reenlistment, the U.S. Army announced two updates to its retention policies to improve retention forecasting while ensuring Soldiers have sufficient time and guidance to make informed reenlistment decisions.

These changes, which begin June 1, 2025, include suspending most retention extensions and reinstating the 90-day reenlistment window, aligning retention procedures with mission success and force management objectives. Special circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis. More details are outlined below.

  • Retention Extensions — Soldiers who are not deployed or deploying with an ETS date before October 1, 2025, have until May 31, 2025, to obtain retention extensions (under general circumstances), which allow them to extend their service without officially reenlisting. Soldiers who ETS after October 1, 2025, can extend under specific conditions outlined in Army regulation 601-280.
  • Reenlistment Windows — Beginning July 1, 2025, Soldiers will be allowed to reenlist from the time their reenlistment window opens until 90 days from their ETS date. Soldiers less than 90 days from their ETS dates will be unable to reenlist.

The Army’s retention success has enabled the adjustment of reenlistment options for Soldiers with an ETS date before the end of fiscal year 2026. This adjustment balances the Army's current needs while preserving Soldiers’ opportunity to continue serving.

“As the Army adapts to evolving needs and conditions, we have to make sure our retention policies keep pace, said Master Sgt. Kindra Ford, Senior Army Retention Operations NCO. “We’re working hard to keep career counselors, Soldiers, and leaders up to date to help them make informed decisions about their careers.”

In April, the Army surpassed its fiscal year 2025 reenlistment goal by retaining 15,600 Soldiers, 800 more than the 14,800 target. The Army's retention success also coincides with it recently exceeding 90 percent of its recruiting goals in May as it continues to build on its recruiting momentum.

“With reenlistment and recruiting exceeding expectations, the Army is in a good position to maintain its end strength and force requirements for the foreseeable future,” said Ford.

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