Q. I am a dual status ART/lieutenant colonel navigator in the Air Force Reserve with 23 years (I am 54 years old) of federal service as an ART. If I am medically disqualified from flying on the military side, thereby losing my eligibility for the civilian ART job, would I qualify for disability retirement or medical retirement? Would I expect an immediate annuity?
A. If you are separated from employment as a National Guard technician because of a disability that disqualifies you from membership in the National Guard or from holding the military grade required for such employment, you would be eligible for disability retirement as long as you weren’t appointed to another position in the federal government or declined an offer to another position at the same grade or pay level within the commuting area of your former position for which you are qualified. Your annuity would begin immediately.
