Army May Keep Passed-over O-5s

The Army will consider for voluntary retention on active duty lieutenant colonels who have been passed over for colonel two or more times  and who have mandatory retirement dates from Sept. 1, 2007, to Sept. 30, 2009. This will include those passed over a second time by the colonel board scheduled for July 17 to Aug. 10. Although such officers normally would be forced to retire at 28 years of active federal commission service, the Army has authority to retain fully qualified officers. Lieutenant colonels recommended for retention will be offered the opportunity to remain for three-year increments beyond their normal mandatory retirement date, up to 31 years of commissioned service or age 62.