The Army will convene a Selective Early Retirement Board in August, to consider the records of 500 colonels and 700 lieutenant colonels. As many as 30 percent of the group may be selected for early retirement. Officers who are picked may apply for voluntary retirement. Otherwise, they will have seven months from the date the board’s findings are approved by the secretary of the Army to retire. All officers selected likely will reach that mandatory retirement date by August 1. The pool consists of colonels who have held the rank for more than five years, and lieutenant colonels who have been passed over for selection to colonel at least twice.
