DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 1900.4A
N13
19 Feb 2019
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1900.4A
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: SEPARATION PAY FOR INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION FROM ACTIVE DUTY
Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. §1174
(b) DoD Instruction 1332.29 of 3 March 2017
(c) DoD Instruction 1332.14 of 27 January 2014
(d) SECNAVINST 1920.6C
1. Purpose. To prescribe policy and procedures for award of separation pay upon involuntary
separation, discharge, or release from active duty, as authorized by references (a) and (b). This
revision includes the requirement of a mandatory disclosure statement by all separating members
and highlights additional half separation pay categories to reflect the most recent guidance
published in references (a) through (d). This instruction is a complete revision and should be
reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 1900.4.
3. Scope and Applicability. This instruction applies to Navy members involuntarily separated
from active duty on or after November 1990. No Reserve members who are separated while on
inactive duty are eligible for separation pay under reference (a).
4. Definitions. The phrase “involuntarily separated, discharged, or released from active duty”
includes all forms of separation under conditions wherein the individual is released from active
duty at any time prior to the completion of a stipulated period of active service or tour of active
duty, and not at his or her own request, or denied reenlistment or extension on active duty.
Examples include release due to reduction in force, or a failure of selection for promotion, and
release of Reserve members not accepted for an additional tour of active duty for which they
volunteered.
a. The phrase “not accepted for an additional tour of active duty for which they
volunteered” refers to members who, prior to completing a tour of active duty or a stipulated
period of active service, or upon notification of the intent to separate them from active duty,
volunteer to remain on active duty for an additional tour but are not accepted.
b. Reserve officers who twice fail to be selected for promotion under chapter 36 of Title 10
U.S. Code, and who are ineligible to apply for an additional tour of active duty under a service
retention program, need not request retention to be “not accepted for an additional tour of active
duty for which they volunteered.”
