Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 2/5/2011

Question
My husband has been in the army for 17 years now..  He is E5(P) and is getting ready to deploy this year,  my question is he had taken a CSB 1 1/2 years ago,  with the RCP going into effect does this effect him,  after his deployment he would have less than a year and a half left,  can he still be able to stay in to complete his 20 years and be able to retire or will he still be issued the pink slip?  My other question is will this affect my daughters eligibility for her medical and educational needs,  she has autism and is in an echo program thru tricare for all her therapy needs will this RCP effect her?  Will she lose any benefits because of this?

Answer
I reread the ALARACT that I quoted a couple answers ago as to RCP.  It doesn't seem to provide any exceptions.  As of June 1 he will be eligible to be separated unless he's promoted to E6.  If he's deployed at that time he'd get a year plus 90 days from the time he gets back before he's separated.  It doesn't seem that he will be eligible to complete his 20 unless he gets promoted.  Once your husband is separated he would lose his medical benefits and you and your daughter would be ineligible to continue receiving them.