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HomeMilitary and Veterans CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 3Art. 2§ 228 National Guard Retirement Benefits

§ 228 National Guard Retirement Benefits

Military and Veterans Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 228 National Guard Retirement Benefits

This law says that California National Guard officers can retire after 20 years of service, and they might get a higher rank when they retire. It also explains how some officers can retire after 10 years if they work in a specific office.

Key Takeaways

  • •Officers can retire after 20 years of service, including time in other military branches.
  • •They might get a higher rank when they retire if they apply within a year.
  • •Some officers can retire after 10 years if they work in the Adjutant General's office.

Example

A California National Guard officer has worked for 20 years and wants to retire.

The officer can apply to retire, and the Governor can decide to let them retire. They might also get a higher rank when they retire if they apply within a year.

How to Calculate

Length of state service = Years served in California National Guard + Years served in U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, or their reserves

  1. Add up all the years the officer served in the California National Guard.
  2. Add any years they served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, or their reserve components.
  3. The total is the length of state service used to decide if they can retire.

An officer served 15 years in the California National Guard and 5 years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Result: Total length of state service = 15 + 5 = 20 years. The officer can apply to retire.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 228 National Guard Retirement Benefits

(a) A commissioned or warrant officer of the California National Guard who has served 20 years in the active service of the state may, on application, in the discretion of the Governor, be retired. Service in the United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Navy, or any reserve component thereof is considered state service in computing length of state service for the purposes of this section. (b) Upon application made within one year of retirement, the officer may, in the discretion of the Governor, be granted an honorary advancement to the next grade above that held on the date of application for retirement. The Adjutant General shall adopt regulations governing the application procedure, qualifications required, and rights and privileges in connection with honorary post-retirement promotions under this subdivision. If recalled to either state or federal active service, a person honorarily promoted under this subdivision shall return to duty in that grade specified by federal law or regulations applicable to the person. (c) Commissioned and warrant officers on active duty with the office of the Adjutant General pursuant to Section 167 who are not members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and who have been on active duty with the office of the Adjutant General for a total of 10 years shall, on application, be retired in accordance with the federal law and regulations which on the date of application govern the retirement of commissioned and warrant officers of the reserve components of the Army of the United States on extended active duty. Retirement from state active duty with the office of the Adjutant General does not prohibit a person from active service in the California National Guard. In these cases, the length of service shall be computed as provided in this section and Section 215. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 355, Sec. 30. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

commissioned or warrant officerCalifornia National Guard20 yearsactive service of the stateGovernorhonorary advancementAdjutant General

Related Statutes

  • § 256 California National Guard Retirement
  • § 239 Governor Guard Officer Transfers
  • § 220 Military Officer Appointments
  • § 225 National Guard Warrant Officers
  • § 226 Officer Arms And Equipment

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Military and Veterans Code. Section 228.
View Official Source