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HomeMilitary and Veterans CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 3Art. 3§ 256 California National Guard Retirement

§ 256 California National Guard Retirement

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

§ 256 California National Guard Retirement

This law lets certain California National Guard members with 20 years of state service retire, may give them an honorary higher rank, and sets rules for those who work for the Adjutant General.

Key Takeaways

  • •You need at least 20 years of state service in the Guard to be eligible to retire.
  • •The Governor decides if you can retire and can give you an honorary higher rank.
  • •If you work for the Adjutant General and have 10 years there, you can also retire under these rules.

Example

A Guard member who has served 20 years in the state Guard applies to retire and is approved by the Governor, who also gives them an honorary promotion to the next rank.

Because the member has the required 20 years of state service, the Governor can choose to retire them and can upgrade their rank as an honor, and they keep that rank if they are later called up for duty.

How to Calculate

Total state service = years of actual state service + years of federal service counted as state service

  1. Count all years the person actually served in the California National Guard or other state roles.
  2. Add any years of federal service that the law says count as state service.
  3. The sum is the total length of state service used to determine eligibility for retirement.

A Guard member served 12 years in the state Guard and 8 years in the Army Reserve, which the law counts as state service.

Result: 20

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 256 California National Guard Retirement

(a)  An enlisted member 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 shall be considered as state service in computing length of state service for the purposes of this section. (b) Upon application made within one year of retirement, the person may, in the discretion of the Governor, be granted an honorary advancement to the next rank 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. If recalled to either state or federal active service, a person honorarily promoted under this subdivision shall return to duty in that rank specified by federal law or regulations applicable to the person. (c) An enlisted member on active duty with the office of the Adjutant General pursuant to Section 167 who is not a member of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and who has 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 enlisted members of the reserve components of the Army of the United States on extended active duty. 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. 31. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

California National Guardactive service of the stateGovernorhonorary advancementAdjutant Generalfederal law or regulations

Related Statutes

  • § 228 National Guard Retirement Benefits
  • § 239 Governor Guard Officer Transfers
  • § 252 National Guard Officer Appointments
  • § 254 Enlisted Personnel Transfers Reductions
  • § 258 Emergency Retired Military Recall

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Military and Veterans Code. Section 256.
View Official Source