This article provides information and available resources for Air Reserve Component (ARC) officers who are considering tendering their resignation.
When officers are commissioned into military service their appointment is for an indefinite period. Therefore, a separation or discharge request or action is not an automatic process. The right of an officer to resign is subject to certain restrictions which are outlined in AFI 36-3209, Chapter 2, Section 2E.
Air National Guard (ANG) Only
Officers commissioned into the ANG take an oath of office as members of the National Guard of the United States and as a Reserve of the Air Force.
Resignations Resulting in Honorable Discharge
- Hardship
- Final Vows in A Religious Order
- Regular or Ordained Ministers
- Conscientious Objector
- Pregnancy or Childbirth
- Sole Surviving Son or Daughter
- Miscellaneous Reasons
When Service Obligations Have Been Satisfied Other than an Honorable Discharge
- Resignation Resulting in General Discharge
- Resignation in Lieu of Further Administrative Action
- Resignation for the Good of the Service
Tender of Resignation (TOR) Process
Unit Assigned and Individual Mobilization Augmentee Officers must prepare and submit their TOR through their chain of command to the final approving authority. Each request letter must include member's name, grade, social security number, current mailing address, and signature. Also, include required documentation and a concise statement of reasons for requesting discharge.
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and Standby Reserve officers who wish to resign their commission must prepare and submit a signed TOR (optional template found in AFI 36-3209, Atch 4) to Headquarters Air reserve Personnel Center (HQ ARPC). Each request letter must include member's name, grade, social security number, current mailing address, and signature.
Note: E-mailed resignations are not accepted unless the original letter, with signature, is attached as a scanned document.
ANG Officers who wish to resign their commission must process their TOR through the vPC Dashboard, “Actions Request” tab and then “Voluntary Separation/Discharge or Resignation – ANG Only” online application. The application will prepare your TOR for you. Attach any additional documentation and then forward your request through the chain of command to the final approving authority electronically. For more information please review the ANG PSDT Guide and Separations Training Tutorials.
Withdrawing a Resignation
Officers may request that their TOR be withdrawn at any time before it is accepted by the approval authority. You must submit a written request, state the reason(s), and send it through the same channels as the TOR.
Note: Resignations cannot be revoked once approved, processed, and the effective date has consummated.
Discharge Certificates and Forms
Resignations are only entitled to a DD Form 256AF - Honorable Discharge Certificate and discharge order (see Discharge from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve – General Information).
ANG Officers are entitled to receive two additional forms (based on reason/action) for to those who request/are transferred (Separation) to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR):
- NGB Form 438a - Honorable Discharge from the Federally Recognized Air National Guard of the United States of America
- NGB Form 439a - General Discharge from the Federally Recognized Air National Guard of the United States of America
AFR/ANG officers who decide to re-affiliate with the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard at a future date, will process through the normal appointment process prior to be reappointed into the gaining unit.