STOP LOSS ORDERS

Note: This information is current as of December 2003, but is subject to change at any time. Please look for updated information regularly.

What is a stop-loss?

During a mobilization, the President may "suspend any provision of law relating to promotion, retirement, or separation applicable to any member of the armed forces..." (10 USC §12305(a)). Members who reach the end of their enlistment can be involuntarily retained, and transfers to the Individual Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, and all administrative discharges halted.

ARMY

Two stop-loss orders and one stop movement order are currently in effect in the Army. The Reserve Component unit stop loss policy, put into effect November 2002, remains in place. An Active Army unit stop loss policy came into being November 13, 2003. A stop movement policy was also re-instated Read below for more details on these policies.

Reserve Component (RC) unit stop loss policy applies to all reserve units that have been mobilized or alerted for mobilization. The stop loss begins once a unit has been alerted for mobilization, and lasts until 90 days after the unit has demobilized or taken off alert status.

1. Active Army (AA) unit stop loss policy applies to those deployed overseas for Operation Enduring Freedom, 5th rotation (OEF5) and Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2nd rotation (OIF2). It also applies to those providing the transition from OIF1 to OIF2 for the duration of deployment. This AA stop loss begins 90 days before deployment and lasts until 90 days after deployment.
2. Stop Movement. This order suspends permanent change of duty station moves. It was implemented November 13, 2003 and applies to all soldiers affected by the Active Army unit stop loss policy.

Please note that both stop-loss orders apply to those who would be discharged at the end of their term of service (ETS) only. There are several exceptions to both orders; those seeking CO, disability, hardship, homosexual conduct, ODPMC, and any other "convenience of the government" discharges (or anyone seeking an involuntary discharge) will NOT be affected by stop loss. Also, AA soldiers already deployed in the operations listed above (OEF & OIF) will NOT be affected by stop loss.

NAVY

As of May 19, 2003, all stop-loss restrictions have been lifted. There are currently NO stop loss orders in effect in the Navy.

AIR FORCE

As of June 24, 2003, the Air Force Stop-loss has been lifted. There are currently NO stop loss orders in effect in the Air Force.

MARINES

As of May 23, 2003, all stop-loss restrictions have been lifted. There are currently NO stop loss orders in effect in the Marines.