How many years do the military branches (for example Navy and Army) allow one to serve?

How many years do the military branches (for example Navy and Army) allow one to serve?How many years do the military branches (for example Navy and Army) allow one to serve?as long as you want to unless they are downsizing, or you get kicked out for UCMJ, Med Boarded, or not showing an interest by lack of promotion etcHow many years do the military branches (for example Navy and Army) allow one to serve?It depends on whether you enlist or get a commission.



If you enlist, you will most likely sign a 4,6 or 8-year contract that will probably not require you to serve the entire time on active duty in the case of the longer ones. Then you can re-enlist toward the end of the contract and extend your service. You cannot serve past the age of 62, so if you enlisted at 18, you could serve for 44 years if you remain enlisted. You may also be discharged for a medical condition, conviction, etc. and that discharge may be disciplinary (you got in trouble) or administrative (you developed a severe allergy for example). You may also be asked to leave if you fail to promote past a certain point. Enlisted advancement works differently in each service, so ask around about how they calculate your eligibility to advance.



If you come in directly as an officer. You will take an oath of office and have an initial 8-year contract, of which 4 years must be served on active duty. After that you will remain on active duty until you resign your commission. There used to be a process called a “release from active duty” but that was only for reservists on full-time active duty. Officers will be reviewed up to three times per ranks for promotion. Failing to be selected the third time will generally lead to an involuntary separation and you will be given a lump-sum severance payment.



There is a process called “sanctuary” whereby as long as you achieve a certain rank by a certain number of years, you will be allowed to continue on to your 20 year retirement as long as you don’t get in trouble. So an O4 (Major or Lieutenant Commander) is a sanctuary rank as long as you make it past 15 years.



There is also the RIF – reduction in force. If that happens because of “downsizing” you will be asked to leave and given a severance payment.