Army Retention Program (AR 601-280)

Question 1

What is the purpose of AR 601-280?

Answer 1

To set forth criteria and command responsibilities for immediate continued service of enlistment of Soldiers currently serving in the Regular Army (RA) and enlistment and/or transfer and assignment of Soldiers processing from the RA to the Reserve Components (RCs) of the Army

Question 2

Who may lift a Bar?

Answer 2

The same authority that approved the Bar may lift with a written recommendation by the unit Commander

Question 3

What are some reasons that a soldier may be ineligible for reenlistment?

Answer 3

Bar, Flag, ASAP

Question 4

Describe a bar to re-enlistment.

Answer 4

An administrative action initiated by the commander to prevent substandard soldiers from reenlisting or reentering the service

Question 5

Who is the final approving authority for a bar to reenlistment?

Answer 5

A commander who is one approval level higher than the commanding authority

Question 6

Who can initiate a Bar to Reenlistment?

Answer 6

Any commander in the soldier’s chain of command

Question 7

What is the RCP (Retention Control Point) for PVT - PFC?

Answer 7

5 Years

Question 8

What is the RCP for SPC/CPL?

Answer 8

8 Years (10 Years if promotable)

Question 9

What is the RCP for SGT?

Answer 9

14 Years

Question 10

What are some goals of the Army Retention Program?

Answer 10

➢ Reenlist, on a long term basis, a sufficient number of highly qualified soldiers to support end strength and readiness requirements
➢ Enlist, or transfer and assign sufficient number of highly qualified soldiers who are separating from RA into RC units
➢ -Achieve and maintain Army force realignment through the retention, transfer, or
enlistment of highly qualified soldiers in critical skills and locations