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re: Retired from the Army today after 24 years. AMA.
Posted on 4/10/25 at 5:24 pm to PrawnMichaels
Posted on 4/10/25 at 5:24 pm to PrawnMichaels
0
Posted on 4/10/25 at 5:40 pm to CharlesLSU
quote:This is the military equivalent of "trade school? Why not have him go to college for a 4 year degree?" There are many excellent enlisted MOS's, as well as warrant, or OCS if you decide you want to be an officer down the road. Not everyone can, should, or even wants to be an officer.
Why lean on him to enlist?!
Why not an ROTC program and come out an officer?
Posted on 4/10/25 at 5:47 pm to Florida_Man1981
Congrats for time well served. Now go get your post office route and do your duty!
Kudos!
Kudos!
Posted on 4/10/25 at 6:40 pm to Florida_Man1981
Good stuff. I start my terminal leave in a week. Only did 20, not a day more
Posted on 4/10/25 at 8:04 pm to Florida_Man1981
Did you serve with Captain Brock Horner, former bad arse Ranger who learned to drive a boat? World's best charter boat captain, on the water 300 days/year.
Posted on 4/10/25 at 8:09 pm to Florida_Man1981
Have enjoyed your perspective. My niece's son is Army ROTC at Colorado State and is thinking about making a career of it. I'm the only guy in his extended family who served... drafted 69, ETS 71. It wasn't a fun time.
I worry about him going into a highly politicized Army and getting hit by a reduction in force after a couple of contracts.
I worry about him going into a highly politicized Army and getting hit by a reduction in force after a couple of contracts.
Posted on 4/11/25 at 9:03 am to northshorebamaman
quote:
Yeah, but looking back, it's those nights of being 20 and living like a king on an e2 paycheck in the ville in Korea that I'll sort of remember. The dfac made it all possible though.
Yep. People talk a lot about how little military pay is but what they leave out is it's all disposable. My base pay when I was an E4 was $1575 a month but it was all spending money.
Posted on 4/11/25 at 9:04 am to Tree_Fall
quote:
Have enjoyed your perspective. My niece's son is Army ROTC at Colorado State and is thinking about making a career of it. I'm the only guy in his extended family who served... drafted 69, ETS 71. It wasn't a fun time.
I worry about him going into a highly politicized Army and getting hit by a reduction in force after a couple of contracts.
Most of the political noise is on the outside. Go down to a motorpool / platoon and it's the same old Army.
My only advice (especially to officers) is always have a six-month plan for exiting the service. It's not just financially sound but it gives you the freedom to make decisions based on principle not coercion.
Posted on 4/11/25 at 9:05 am to Stonehenge
quote:
Airborne?
Yep and got the MRI scans to prove it.
Posted on 4/11/25 at 9:07 am to Florida_Man1981
Thank you for your service. Retired Navy here. Retired in 2001. Enjoy your next chapter.
Posted on 4/11/25 at 9:07 am to CharlesLSU
quote:
Not to be nosey, but what was that last 3 year average salary?
And what was a typical day in the back half of your time there?
Pay tables are public so not a nosey question. I felt like I was making a fortune as an O5 +22. Was also in Germany drawing COLA.
Base pay was $11900, COLA was about $700 - 800 a month tax free, I lived in BOQs and still drew Colorado Springs BAH where my family was which was another $2900 or so tax free. Also went to Serbia at least once a year which is still a tax free zone so that was a nice chunk of change.
The typical day on the other hand....I was never off. Carried three phones, even on leave was constantly working. I knew it was time to punch out when I had a work flight back to the states and the Wi-Fi wasn't available. I was so excited to just have 10 hours to myself. Thought damn I should never be this excited about 10 hours in coach.
This post was edited on 4/11/25 at 9:10 am
Posted on 4/11/25 at 9:12 am to CharlesLSU
quote:
Why lean on him to enlist?!
Why not an ROTC program and come out an officer?
Lot of benefits to doing just one enlistment first - mainly just perspective. One benefit that is not talked about is the up or out timing.
If you don't make LTC on your first two looks you are normally separated. For officer with no prior service this means getting bounced out with no pension at 16 or 17 years.
If you hit 18 years you are safe by federal law to finish your 20 and get a pension. If you are prior service you know once you hit Major you are good to go for a pension.
For reference the promotion rate to LTC is usually around 65 - 70%. Not super low but enough to make people sweat if they know their pension depends on it.
This post was edited on 4/11/25 at 9:13 am
Posted on 4/11/25 at 9:14 am to Tree_Fall
quote:
Have enjoyed your perspective. My niece's son is Army ROTC at Colorado State and is thinking about making a career of it. I'm the only guy in his extended family who served... drafted 69, ETS 71. It wasn't a fun time.
I worry about him going into a highly politicized Army and getting hit by a reduction in force after a couple of contracts.
Hard to make a call on a career that early. Take it one term at a time and if you hit ten you know you're in it to win it.
This post was edited on 4/14/25 at 6:34 am
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