High Year of Tenure

High Year Tenure (HYT) is a term used by the United States Armed Forces to describe the maximum number of years enlisted members may serve at a given rank without achieving promotion, after which they must separate or retire.^[1] HYT is applicable to enlisted of all six military branches of the United States.

Officers are not subject to HYT, but are instead limited to statutory service limits by pay grade.^[2] See Defense Officer Personnel Management Act for officer information.

In the United States Army, soldiers will finish their enlistment contract if they exceed HYT or RCP (retention control point), unless they are reduced in rank.^[3]

History

In January 2010, the Air Force returned HYT limits to pre-2003 levels.^[4]

On 1 August 2017, the Navy extended the HYT for active component sailors to 10 years from 8 years for third class petty officers, to 16 years from 14 years for second class petty officers, and to 22 years from 20 years for first class petty officers.^[5]

On 14 December 2017, the Navy announced that it will extend the HYT for seamen from its current five to six years on 1 February 2018.^[6]

On 1 February 2019, the Air Force increased the HYT for E-4 through E-6.

On 3 October 2022, the Coast Guard suspended HYT for enlisted active duty members until 1 January 2025.^[7]

On 22 December 2022, the Navy suspended HYT until 30 September 2024.^[8]

In December 2023, the Air Force did not increase HYT generally, but only for those with a HYT date between Dec 2023 and Sept 2024, which affected less than 2,000 people.

HYT dates

Extensions to the HYT date can be obtained for various reasons such as personal hardships or base closures. HYT dates vary by rank/rate, as follows:

Pay grade	Army ^[3]	Army (promotable^[clarification needed])^[3]	Marine Corps (active)^[9]	Marine Corps (reserves)	Navy (active)^[6]^[10]	Navy (reserves)^[10]	Air Force ^[11]	Space Force[1]	Coast Guard (active)^[12]	Coast Guard (reserve)^[13]
E-1	5	N/A	N/A		4	6	8	8	N/A	N/A
E-2	5	N/A	N/A		4	6	8	8	N/A	N/A
E-3	5	N/A	N/A		6	10	8	8	10	10
E-4	8	8	8		10	12	10	10	10	10
E-5	14	14	12		16	20	20	20	16	22
E-6	20	20	20		22	22	22	22	20	24
E-7	24	26	22		24	24	24	24	24	26
E-8	26^[a]	30	27		26	26	26	26	26	28
E-9	30^[b]	N/A	30		30^[c]	30	30	30	30	30

1. First Sergeant/Master Sergeant (promotable) has a HYT of 30 years.
2. Command sergeants major (CSMs) and sergeants major (SGMs) (at Headquarters, Department of the Army and Army Commands) serving in nominative positions where the CSM/SGM is rated by a general officer, member of the Senior Executive Service, or equivalent, or is serving as CSM at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy or as Executive Officer to the Sergeant Major of the Army are authorized to serve beyond 30 years total active service while serving in the position. The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army must approve exceptions for operational reasons.
3. CMDCM/FORCM (9580) selected for a 1- or 2-star flag/general officer assignment to complete a 3-year tour of duty. CMDCM/FORCM/FLTCM (9580) selected for a 3- or 4-star flag/general officer assignment to complete a 3-year tour of duty. CMDCM/FORCM/FLTCM (9580) selected to serve as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) to complete a 4-year tour of duty. Are authorized to serve beyond 30 years total active service while serving in the position.

See also

• Up or out, a similar private-sector concept

References

1. "Air Force Handbook 1, Airman" (PDF). United States Air Force. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
2. Understand High Year Tenure to Maximize Your Career, Story Number: NNS120326-07, 3/26/2012, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
3. "Army Directive 2016-19 (Retaining a Quality Noncommissioned Officer Corps)" (PDF). United States Army. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
4. "AF returns enlisted high year of tenure to standards". Joint Base Charleston. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
5. Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs (22 June 2017). "Navy Announces New High Year Tenure Policy for E-4 through E-6". Retrieved 5 December 2022.
6. Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs (14 December 2017). "Navy Extends E-3 High Year Tenure". United States Navy. United States Department of the Navy. Retrieved 15 December 2017. As part of ongoing reviews of policies that impact Fleet readiness, the Navy announced it is increasing its high year tenure (HYT) policy for active component and Full Time Support (FTS) E-3 Sailors by one year in NAVADMIN 290/17, Dec. 14. This change will retain experienced Sailors needed for both shore and sea duty as the Navy increases manpower to meet mission requirements and operational tasking. The updated policy sets the maximum length of service (LOS) by pay grade, and will go into effect Feb. 1, 2018, increasing E-3 HYT to six years from the current five years of service. In 2018, 1,280 E-3 Sailors will reach HYT under the current policy, and will now have an opportunity to continue naval service. Increasing HYT also provides these E-3 Sailors two more opportunities to advance. HYT for all other active duty, FTS and Selected Reserve enlisted Sailors pay grades remain unchanged. Sailors in receipt of or have pending HYT separation orders before to Feb. 1, 2018, who wish to remain in the Navy, may request cancellation of those orders by referencing the new HYT policy no later than Jan. 31, 2018. Advancement-eligible Sailors who decide to continue their service in the Navy can take the March, cycle 239, Navy-wide petty officer advancement exam. The Navy will continue to offer HYT waivers for enlisted Sailors who volunteer for sea duty on a case-by-case basis.
7. "Suspension of High Year Tenure (HYT)". 3 October 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
8. "Navy Pilot Program Temporarily Suspends High-Year Tenure for Enlisted Sailors". United States Naval Institute News. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
9. "MARADMIN 408/19". United States Marine Corps. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
10. "MILPERSMAN 1160-120" (PDF). 8 May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
11. "Service Retirements" (PDF). United States Air Force. 23 February 2021. p. 21. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
12. "Military Separations" (PDF). United States Coast Guard. 9 December 2019. p. 3-3. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
13. "Reserve Policy Manual" (PDF). United States Coast Guard. 4 February 2021. p. 8-4. Retrieved 5 December 2022.