How much does a retired colonel get?
To figure the monthly retirement pay, multiply years of service by 2.5 percent and then multiply the answer by the basis. For 24 years of service, this comes to 60 percent. If the officer’s rank at retirement in 2015 was lieutenant colonel, you have 60 percent of $9,280.20. The monthly retirement pay equals $5,568.12.
How long can you be a colonel in the Air Force?

USAF Officer Rank Structure
Rank | Rank (Abbrev.) | Officer Rank Timeline (See notes)* |
---|---|---|
Brigadier General | Brig Gen, or BG | 20+ years |
Colonel | Col | 18 – 20 years |
Lieutenant Colonel | Lt Col | 14 – 16 years |
Major | Maj | 8 – 10 years |
Is colonel a high rank in the Air Force?
Colonel (Col) is the third Field Officer rank in the United States Air Force. It is just above Lieutenant Colonel and below Brigadier General. Colonel is the highest Field Officer rank, and it is therefore, just below the General Officer ranks.
How much money does a colonel in the Air Force make?
The typical US Air Force Air Force Colonel salary is $159,519 per year. Air Force Colonel salaries at US Air Force can range from $89,251 – $192,566 per year.

When can a colonel retire?
1, 2018, and Feb. 1, 2019. Normally, colonels not selected for promotion to one star must retire after 30 years of service. With the Air Force’s announcement, eligible colonels can choose to remain on active duty for an additional three years, according to the Air Force.
Can you make colonel in 20 years?
In the Army today, an officer who has a normal career reaches lieutentant colonel within 20 years. At last count the Army had 10,707 lieutenant colonels, but only 4,700 of them will be promoted to colonel to serve for five more years. After that, a mere 200 colonels will ever make it to brigadier general.
Is it hard to make colonel?
Colonels are the highest-ranking officers in the slate of field-grade officers. Holding of the rank of Colonel is a highly prestigious position, it is a highly respected job and difficult to attain, achieved only by the most qualified of officers.
Is it hard to become a colonel?
Is a colonel a high rank?
colonel, the highest field-grade officer, ranking just below the general officer grades in most armies or below brigadier in the British services. A colonel was traditionally the commanding officer of a regiment or brigade.
How many Air Force colonels are there?
Total number of commissioned officers (excluding officers in categories specified in subsection (b)) on active duty: | Number of officers who may be serving on active duty in grade of: | |
---|---|---|
Major | Colonel | |
170,000 | 35,412 | 7,116 |
Air Force: | ||
35,000 | 9,216 | 2,125 |
How long do you have to hold rank to retire at that rank in the Air Force?
You must have served as a commissioned officer — though not necessarily at the same rank — for at least 10 years to retire at your officer rank. Those who retire prior to serving 10 years as an officer retire at their prior enlisted rank for retirement pay purposes.
At what age does a colonel retire?
Rank | Age of Retirement |
---|---|
AMC (Non Tech) | 56 years |
Lt Col (& equiv) & below | 56 years |
Colonel (& equiv) | 58 years |
Brig (& equiv) | 59 years |
Is colonel a good rank?
How do you address a retired colonel?
Writing Military Rank & Name After Retiring (Full Rank) (Full Name), USMC/USAF/USA, Ret., (Address) or, (Full Rank) (Full Name), USN/USCG, Retired, (Address) or, (Full Rank) (Full Name), USN/USCG, Ret., (Address)
How much money does an Air Force colonel make?
Air Force Colonel Pay A Colonel is a field officer in the United States Air Force at DoD paygrade O-6. A Colonel receives a monthly basic pay salary starting at $7,332 per month, with raises up to $12,980 per month once they have served for over 30 years.
Can you retire from the Air Force at 15 years?
The FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Public Law 112-81, enacted 31 December 2011, authorized the military services to offer early retirement to Service members who have completed at least 15 years of active service. This is a discretionary authority and not an entitlement.
How many years does it take to retire from the Air Force?
20 years
RETIREMENT. The Air Force provides a generous retirement plan. Airmen are eligible to retire after 20 years of service and begin receiving benefits the day they retire.
What is the average age of a colonel?
O-4 (Major): 33 (join + 10 years) O-5 (Lt. Col): 39 (join + 16 years) O-6 (Col): 45 (join + 22 years)