[catman]

The Air Force will soon be the only service that allows active duty E-5s to stay in uniform beyond 15 years of service.

Under a new Navy ?high-year tenure? policy ? what most of the services dub ?Up or Out? ? sailors will now have to earn advancement to E-6 within 14 years or get kicked out. Until now, second class petty officers could stay in for 20 years and retire will full benefits.

Marines have 13 years from the date of their enlistment to make E-6, said Corps spokeswoman Maj. Sarah Fullwood.

For soldiers, the limit is 15 years.

Airmen, however, can stay in to the 20-year mark before facing mandatory retirement as E-5s, said Air Force spokesman Master Sgt. Randy Mitchell.

? Jon R. Anderson