Wounded, ill and injured Soldiers often think their military career is over. This is not the case for many of our Soldiers. If you have been found unfit for duty by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), but are interested in continuing your service in the Army, you may be eligible to apply for Continuation on Active Duty (COAD)/Continuation on Active Reserve (COAR).
All Soldiers found to be unfit for duty may apply for COAD/COAR; however, preferred criteria include:
To be considered for COAD/COAR, Soldiers must be able to work in a military environment without adversely affecting their health or requiring extensive medical care. They will be periodically reevaluated to determine if further duty is harmful to their health or detrimental to their interests or the Army's. Soldiers who later incur a service obligation remain liable to complete that obligation up to the expiration of the COAD/COAR agreement. If a Soldier's disability increases to the point that he/she is no longer able to perform his/her duty with reasonable accommodations, you can apply to be released from the remainder of the obligation.
Soldiers interested in applying for COAD/COAR should notify their Triad of Care and Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO). If you are in the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2), you should work closely with your AW2 Advocate, who can help facilitate the COAD/COAR process.
The following Army regulations govern the COAD/COAR process:
For additional information on the COAD/COAR process, reference the Army G-1 COAD/COAR Overview , see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below, or contact us.
When does the COAR/COAR process begin?
How long can I stay in COAD/COAR?
Am I still competitive for promotion?
Who is the authority for disapproving COAD/COAR requests?
Will I remain in the same MOS while I am in COAD/COAR?
Can I revoke/withdraw my COAD/COAR application?
Can I reenlist while in COAD/COAR?
A COAD/COAR request will go to the Physical Disability Agency (PDA) after the Soldier receives their unfit rating and indicates that they want to pursue COAD/COAR.
Once approved for COAD, Soldiers may remain on Active Duty (provided otherwise qualified) until their retention control point (RCP), mandatory removal or retirement date (MRD), or age 60 for Guard and Reserve, whichever comes first. Once approved for COAR, Soldiers may serve to their maximum years of service (MYOS), MRD, or age 60, whichever occurs first. They will be required to reenlist if the period for which their COAD or COAR was approved extends beyond their contractual enlistment.
Yes, you are eligible for promotion and still competitive. AR 600-8-19 and Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) Consolidated Guidance govern promotion rules, policy, and procedure.
The U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.
Most Soldiers remain in their current MOS and are assigned in accordance with their limitations.
Yes. A Soldier may request to revoke/withdraw their application through their local Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO).
Yes, you are allowed to reenlist. Soldiers are not required to meet medical standards for disabilities for which they were continued. However, they may be denied reenlistment if their disabilities have worsened or if they have new medical impairments which fall below the medical retention standards of AR 40-501, Chapter 3.
