How to Earn Retirement Points in the U.S. Navy Reserves IRR

United States Navy personnel separating with less than 8 years of service will remain in the Ready Reserve to fulfill their Military Service Obligation (MSO). The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) is an inactive status which most personnel default to if they do not wish to affiliate in the active reserves. As a member of the IRR, Navy personnel can maintain their status and retire with military benefits at the age of 60. There are certain criteria that must be met to maintain IRR status in the U.S. Navy.

Instructions

1. Navy IRR status does not require any military drills but Navy sailors can perform Additional Duty Training (ADT), paid or unpaid, and complete correspondence courses online for reserve points.

2. Navy Reserve personnel must meet the following obligations, per Federal Law and Navy Regulations:

   - Respond to all official correspondence
   - Update personal information via NKO's Virtual Screening annually
   - Meet requirements per BUPERSINST 1001.39
   - Maintain military uniforms in serviceable condition
   - Muster annually and/or when ordered

3. Earn Navy Reserve Points:
   50 points = Qualifying Year for Retirement
   Each Reservists earns 15 gratuitous points per anniversary year.
   Remaining 35 points can be earned by SELRES/VTU drills (4 points per weekend), AT/ADT/ADSW and Funeral Honors Duty (1 point per day), or NKO Correspondence Courses (points vary).

4. Required Navy IRR Participation:
   Navy Enlisted personnel with less than 20 years qualifying service-
   No minimum annual participation is required. Non-participation results in a non-qualifying year for retirement and member may be ineligible for reenlistment or extension.

   Navy Officers with less than 20 years qualifying service and
   completed MSO-
   At least 27 points required per anniversary year (includes 15 gratuity points) to maintain good standing.
   Non-participation will result in administrative action.

   Both Officer and Enlisted with 20 or greater years qualifying service-
   50 points required per anniversary year

5. View Navy Annual Retirement Point Record:
   Log on to BUPERS Online and select ARPR/ASOSH Online

   Note that points are calculated by your anniversary year.

6. Contact:
   Navy IRR Counselor
   [e-mail]
   [phone]

   Correspondence Course Certificates must be mailed to (include SSN):
   Commander, Navy Personnel Command (Pers-912)
   5720 Integrity Drive
   Millington TN 38055

Tips & Warnings

• Each NKO course has a reserve point recommendation in the description; although for some courses the recommendation is 0 points. Most points are from 1-5 points and a few recommend as many as 13 points.

Resources

• Navy Knowledge Online (NKO)
• How to Save at Your Military Commissary
• How to Find Military Discounts