To amend title 14, United States Code, to require the retention of certain enlisted members of the Coast Guard who have completed 18 or more, but less than 20, years of service, and for other purposes.

Summary

Requires the Coast Guard to keep certain enlisted members on active duty instead of involuntarily separating them when they are very near retirement. Regular enlisted members who are within two years of qualifying for regular retirement must be retained until they reach retirement eligibility (unless they are retired or discharged earlier under other law). Reserve enlisted members on active status with at least 18 but less than 20 years of service who face involuntary separation may not be separated, denied reenlistment, or transferred from active status without their consent until they reach 20 years of service or until a short statutory anniversary period expires. Also makes a clerical update to the Title 14 table of contents to add the new retention provision.

• Prevents involuntary separation of Regular enlisted Coast Guard members who are within two years of qualifying for retirement until they reach retirement eligibility (except in narrow cases).
• Stops discharge, denial of reenlistment, or transfer from active status for Reserve enlisted members with 18–19+ years of service without the member's consent until they hit 20 years or a short statutory anniversary limit.
• Does not apply to separations for physical disability or for cause, and members can still be retired or discharged under other applicable law sooner.
• Applies only to enlisted personnel in the Coast Guard (Regular and Reserve on active status).
• Includes a clerical update to the Title 14 table of contents to add the new retention section.