Eligibility Requirements

Service Members MUST have completed at least 180 days of continuous active-duty service and expect to receive an honorable or general, under honorable conditions, discharge prior to starting a program.

Service Members may commence a CSP no earlier than 180 days before release from active duty, with the following exception: Service Members enrolled in IDES or assigned to an SRU may begin a CSP IMMEDIATELY upon completion of their VA medical appointments.

Service Members are eligible to participate in only ONE CSP program while still on Title 10 Active Duty Orders.

Service Members can receive authorization to participate form their first field grade commander with UCMJ authority in the Soldier’s chain of command.

Service Members that are attending an Off-Island CSP program can receive administrative absence not to exceed 180 days for participation in a Career Skills Program validated in accordance with AR 600-81 Transition Assistance Program.

APPROVAL AUTHORITIES

Soldier Participation Memo (IMCOM 45):

  • Company Commander approval to participate in the program.
  • First field grade office with UCMJ authority (BN commander).
  • If CSP Program is outside 50-mile radius of duty station, service members need either of the following:
  • CSP Program is 60 days or under MUST have an O6 Commander or O5 Delegee.
  • CSP Program is over 60 days MUST have a commander with general court-martial convening authority or O6 Delegee.

First General Officer or Senior Executive Service Equivalent Memorandum.

Service Member MUST obtain First General Officer or Senior Executive Service Equivalent Memorandum if they are attending a CSP program with a length over 120 days.

  • Frist General Officer or Senior Executive Service Equivalent approval for any program with the length more than 120 days.
  • This approval is to not be delegated.
  • The Memorandum is provided by the CSP office.

Administrative Absence (according to AR 600-8-10 Leaves and Passes)


Service Member MUST obtain an administrative absence if they are attending a CSP program outside a 50-mile radius of duty station.

Service Member will need approval from either of the following:

  • CSP Program is 60 days or under MUST have an O6 Commander or O5 Delegee.
  • CSP Program is over 60 days MUST have a commander with general court-martial convening authority or O6 Delegee.

Service Members attending a CSP program are required to pay for all travel, housing, equipment, etc. that associate with attending the CSP program.

  • Service Members have options to help with CSP program cost, like the following.
  • AER (Non-Taxable) Grant that can be obtained after CSP packet approval.
  • Space-A travel.
  • Some CSP program also offer benefits that the service member can take advantage of.

CSP Pre-Clearing
Service Members who are doing a Off-Island In-Person CSP are eligible to pre-clear the installation prior to their CSP. This option is at the discretion of the Service Members command. If a Service Member chooses this option, they must go to Transitions or Retirement Service to start this process.

Refer to the Information Paper and example documents needed below: 
CSP Pre-Clearing Information Paper           Example Documents for Pre-Clearing


AFTER COMPLETION OF CSP PROGRAM
Service Members who are doing a On-Island or Off-Island Remote CSP MUST return to their permanent duty station after completion of their CSP program to complete out-processing requirements before separation or retirement date. CSP attendance may not be extended with any other absence, to include ordinary leave and pass, in accordance with AR 600-8-10 Leaves and Passes, Chapter 5-12; para 14(e).