Originally Posted by Flying Boxes

Sanctuary protects you against the DoD purposefully not letting you get to retirement. Standard practice is for guard/reserve units to require you to sign a waiver for orders when your TAFMS reaches the 18 year point.

The USERRA (DoL) law does not specifically mention sanctuary that I remember. Research service members law center for what exempt from the 5 year limit, the link is at the bottom of this post. Things like completion of a military obligation (like for UPT) that go beyond the 5 year limit. In residence PME I think is exempt. Return to AD may also be exempt.

If you have spent time on Contingency orders (location is not relevant) then they do not count against 5 year limit, but must state so on the orders or the DD214. Preferable both! I can guarantee you that contingency orders for the middle east are exempt, but I am not sure about Pacific AOR deployments. I don't think they are exempt, but do not really know.

Law Center - ROA