"...Soldiers with at least 15 but less than 20 years of service may be eligible for early retirement.
According to Army Directive 281/2012, titled "Temporary Early Retirement Authority," or TERA, officers and warrant officers who have twice failed selection for promotion to the next grade and noncommissioned officers denied continued service as a result of an approved qualitative service program centralized selection board are eligible for the program.
"Soldiers who elect to retire under TERA and are approved, will receive full retirement benefits at a slightly reduced annuity," said Gerald Purcell, the enlisted personnel policy integrator with Army G-1..."