??? for military retirees.

[pmanton]

I'm curious how many of you retired at 20 or 30 years and were happy with your choice?

I entered the service in 1955 at 17. When 20 came up I was a W-2 just selected for 3. I would get W-3 in about a year and then be requires to serve 2 more years.

I was 37, looked younger, and was fit. 10 more years would have made me 47-almost 50 and elderly. (In my opinion)

I had planned to retire with almost 60 days leave on the books.
I was going to enjoy a long vacation and look for work.
Instead I was hired almost immediately and used my leave time to work at my new job.

I retired completely in 2000 and have been enjoying myself since.

I enjoyed my military service and wonder how I would of fared had I stayed for 30. I would have gone out as a W-4 with quite a bit of money. But would I have been a feeble old man? :-(

 

[Kanewpadle]

I'm curious how many of you retired at 20 or 30 years and were happy with your choice?

I entered the service in 1955 at 17. When 20 came up I was a W-2 just selected for 3. I would get W-3 in about a year and then be requires to serve 2 more years.

I was 37, looked younger, and was fit. 10 more years would have made me 47-almost 50 and elderly. (In my opinion)

I had planned to retire with almost 60 days leave on the books.
I was going to enjoy a long vacation and look for work.
Instead I was hired almost immediately and used my leave time to work at my new job.

I retired completely in 2000 and have been enjoying myself since.

I enjoyed my military service and wonder how I would of fared had I stayed for 30. I would have gone out as a W-4 with quite a bit of money. But would I have been a feeble old man? :-(

You made the right choice. You would have worked for nothing the last few years. And not gained much for retirement.

I work with several veterans that did 20 and retired. Started their second career and can retire early at 60 not needing social security. Most of them also have VA benefits.

 

[Birdgun]

Paul, like you I was an Army W2 with 23 years service (1966-1989), looking at W3 with orders to W. Germany. When I got the orders, I submitted my retirement papers.

I had a lot of trepidation about getting out, but I believed I could successfully navigate a civilian career. I did and I believe I made the right decision both financially and for my wife and I's life happiness. I couldn't get past the fact that once over 20, I was working for only half of my base pay. I'd get half my base pay as a retiree. When I retired at age 42, I was older than the First Sergeant! Like you, I was working at my first civilian job while still on terminal leave.

With 20-20 hindsight, I wouldn't have changed my decision as to when I retired from the United States Army. I "retired-retired" in 2013 and love retirement. My and wife's Golden Years have been and are truly golden. Oh, and I still have the same wife I had when in the Army. We'll be celebrating our 50th anniversary in November, 2024.

Thanks for asking, Chief.

God bless,
John T.

 

[SMSgt]

I retired in '91. At the time I realized the leadership was becoming more concerned about harming airmen's self esteem than maintaining good ole military discipline. It was the beginning of where our military is today. Those poor little airmen are the leadership today. Never regretted getting out. Do miss some of my cohorts though.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Retired after 25 with near 63% of the base pay of a W-4 over 26 (had a year and a day of reserve service before entering the Regular Navy). Never regretted it, but each individual has his own special circumstances. I would hesitate to state a general rule.

 

[Murphy's Law]

I retired in 1985 after 22 years in the Navy as a Senior Chief (E8). My first 3 years were 9 months deployment to "Yankee" station in the gulf of Tokin off Viet Nam. The ship was the Big "O" (Oriskany CVA34). Only got off her when we experienced a very bad fire due to manganese flares going off and 60+ crew lost their lives. Pilots used them during their bombing runs to light up the sky. Ship was badly damage and had to go into the yards for repairs. Navy in the process of transferring much of the crew, I got orders to Australia. After 3 years down under had orders to many places......to many to list. I only retired because my daughters were getting out of High School soon. I truly enjoyed the Navy and the training I received that allowed me to work another 20 years for General Dynamics down at U..S. Central Command (in charged of the Middle East operations). In summary life has been good and now 78 and enjoying my retirement. Hope I didn't bore anyone with this stuff.

 

[Retired W4]

It took me 32 years to retire with 24 active. I think the Army looked at me as summer help. After 7 years as a civilian I hung it up for good in 2007 at 59. I got to do almost every thing every aviation Warrant wanted to do and my civilian job was like a dream come true. No regrets on any of it. It's kind of a family tradition. My father retired from the Air Force in 1968 (same year I joined the Army) and my son goes on terminal leave in January.

One funny thing about it is, in my AGR status I was required to retire with 20 AD but ARPERCEN had my records so messed up they missed the last 4 years. That's fine with me. The duty was great, although I really had my hands full with every thing I was doing. I won't bore you with all that, but the money comes to the bank every month and TriCare for Life is great health insurance along with Medicare. It was a great run and now, life is good.

What I flew on my last duty assignment in the Army. It's a little hard to see but it says United States of America above the passenger's windows. God bless the USA.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Born in the summer of '52. Joined the 'Force in the spring of '72 to
dodge draft number "007".

Became, much to my chagrin, a communications analyst at NSA --
top secret, expanded background investigation, clearance -- yawn!

President Nixon ended Vietnam, and I got a pink slip -- "in excess
of needs" -- so I retrained and became an air traffic controller in '75.

Earned a bachelors in '85 and a masters in '91 -- all 90% paid by
the 'Force's tuition assistance program. $1,000 out of my pocket
for each sheepskin.

Had fourteen assignments in 28 years. I wouldn't change a day
of it. Retired in the late summer of '00 and ran back to my Wyo.

Enrolled as a journalism major with a minor in professional writing
at the University of Wyoming in the fall of '00. GI Bill plus a full-ride
(tuition & books) scholarship every year along with 70% retirement
at Chief (E-9) made life absolutely enjoyable. Did an internship
(paid position) as the editor of UW's literary and arts magazine
in my senior year, graduated in '05, and left Laramie a year later.

I've been up on this mountain for 18 years, living in my secluded
cabin at 7,880', and I heat with wood.

I've volunteered on a variety of boards, commissions, and other
organizations, I've edited another book, and I'm in the process
of writing two -- one for me and the biography of my best pal.

All these experiences made this 29-year-old the happy lad I am
(oh, yeah, the math -- I have 43 years experience being 29).
Most of my friends are younger than 48 -- my daughter's age,
and the age I was when I retired from the 'Force.

I'm still not elderly enough to eat lunch at the nearby town's
senior citizens center, and ...

I haven't decided what I'll be IF I grow up.

Slàinte mhòr

 

[Retired W4]

Bob, I had no idea you were such an egg head. Sorry, I could not help myself. That's a very diverse career path with a lot of twists and turns. Always reaching for something new makes one a well rounded individual. Enjoy your semi-retirement.

 

[grover99]

My nephew retired as a LT Colonel after 27 years. His last duty was an instructor at The Command and staff school at Fort Leavenworth. After retirement he went back to doing the same thing. Only now he is a civilian instructor getting better pay plus retirement pay. He only shows up once a week on post the rest of the time he is teaching on line. He loves his life.

 

[SMSgt]

I retired in 1985 after 22 years in the Navy as a Senior Chief (E8). My first 3 years were 9 months deployment to "Yankee" station in the gulf of Tokin off Viet Nam. The ship was the Big "O" (Oriskany CVA34). Only got off her when we experienced a very bad fire due to manganese flares going off and 60+ crew lost their lives. Pilots used them during their bombing runs to light up the sky. Ship was badly damage and had to go into the yards for repairs. Navy in the process of transferring much of the crew, I got orders to Australia. After 3 years down under had orders to many places......to many to list. I only retired because my daughters were getting out of High School soon. I truly enjoyed the Navy and the training I received that allowed me to work another 20 years for General Dynamics down at U..S. Central Command (in charged of the Middle East operations). In summary life has been good and now 78 and enjoying my retirement. Hope I didn't bore anyone with this stuff.

My son was on the Navy dive/salvage team that helped prep the Oriskany for her final voyage. Somehow, I ended up with one of her portholes in my garage.

 

[Harrison]

I also retired at 20 as a W-2, just promoted to W-3 a few days before retirement. So according to military rules I retired as a W-2. Why did I retire at 20? I would have liked to have stayed in for a few more years, but I had been in the states just over 2 years after a tour with the 2 Inf. Div. in Korea.

My wife was haveing health problems, and the Army had decided I was needed for my third hardship tour in Korea, or I could go to a division assignment in Germany. I had already spent three years in Germany and disliked it. My decision was simple, my wife was having health problems which would not have been improved by me being overseas, and I was tired of seeing the world, which included Vietnam. So, I was able to make a choice and retire.

I used the GI bill to get another bachelors degree and a graduate education. I found a new career with a law firm and spent 20 pleasant years there, then retired a 2d time.

 

[Mr. Vito]

I retired from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel after 24 years, at age 47. Then I entered a second career as a Nursing Home Administrator and did that for 23 years, with the last 16 as the VP, Operations with a large not-for-profit, religious sponsored corporation. I fully retired at age 70 and have enjoyed the 11 years since.

Even though I left the military 34 years ago, I still think of myself in terms of my military status. Now I do work as a volunteer with dying veterans who seem to enjoy being visited by a fellow veteran in their final months and days.

My decision to retire after 24 years was in part due to my knowing that if I was under 50 I would be more likely to be successful in starting a second career. It seems that 50 is the magic number, after which companies don't feel it might be worth hiring you for your final work years, but at 47 I was still seen as a young man.

 

[Goldstar225]

I regard my decision to spend 20 years in the Air Force and retire as one of the best in my life. The lure of a life time pension and medical was a big draw. I retired at 37 and started a second career that came with a pension when I retired a second time at 59 YOA. Between those two pensions and social securiy plus my wifes pension and social security we have a comfortable, secure life. Oh, and Tricare for Life on top of medicare has been a financial lifesaver given my wife's medical issues.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Bob, I had no idea you were such an egg head. Sorry, I could not help myself.

I try mighty hard not to let it show. I loved school, but not before
the 'Force. I had to grow into it.

 

[Truckman]

I haven't decided what I'll be IF I grow up.

Me either Bob...As for education, below is a pic of my newest T-shirt...

I tell people I was doing great in school...In my third year of the fourth grade, just starting to get the hang of it when my draft papers showed up in the mail...Being smart, I decided to dodge the draft by enlisting in the Air Force...Next thing I remember I'm a white haired old man at a gun show...

I don't know what happened in between......Ben

 

[Golddollar]

I was never in the Armed Forces, but I try to help support them and our veterans. As Vice Commander of our Sons of the American Legion squadron, I want to thank all of you for your service to our country.

 

[STCM(SW)]

They made me retire after 32 years as too old to be of any use I think.
Only good thing was the woman of my life worked for me in a reserve unit till I married her. Then I worked for her!
Tricare and medicare took care of all the problems she had till the end last year.....

 

[Retired W4]

I was never a good student in high school or college. I was a good student in flight school and later spent ~8 years as an instructor pilot at Ft. Rucker in 3 different helicopters and was a unit IP in 2 helos and 4 fixed wing aircraft.

All that prepared me well for my civilian career. Like Ben, now I'm just the old guy at gun shows.

 

[Golddollar]

Like Ben, now I'm just the old guy at gun shows.

Heck, I've been that for the last 15 years.