If you came into a large sum of money, would you get out of the military?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:29:46 -0400

Let's say you came into a large sum of money whether it was through lottery, inheritance, or whatever. In the amount of $500k-$1 Million or more. Would you leave the military why or why not? Are you serving to serve or to profit from the benefits/retirement? I know most people will say they joined for all the right reasons, but are they the same reasons that you would stay in? I have heard this asked frequently around the Army. I am just looking for personal opinions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 7:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:30:45 -0400

All soldiers have a shelf life. ;)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 7:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:38:01 -0400

Maybe we can get someone from legal to chime in on this rumor, if you had a certain amount of money where ART 15 or discharge wasn't a concern. Or where the military could not affect your income. Is there a conflict of interest? Are there protocols for the above mentioned situation?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 13 at 2015 7:42 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:42:14 -0400

Money isn't everything. See Pat Tillman

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 13 at 2015 7:44 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:44:15 -0400

No... well... I am gone... so... But, in 91-92 the Army offered bonuses (SSB and VSI; lump sum and annuity)... when the Army was going from 800k to 482k.... Many were told to take it, as they were not tracking for promotion/retention. Define huge?

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 13 at 2015 7:51 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:51:20 -0400

Nope. Wouldn't even change my lifestyle. That is less money then most think. I would zero out my debt. Buy a house outright. Put 100K in the bank for each of my kids for college. Buy a new harey for me and a new jeep for my wife. bank the rest Stay in the AF till I retire out. When I retire out, get a job just like I had planned.

If you look it up, so many of those big money lotto winners 10 years down the road are flat broke because they lived beyond their means.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 13 at 2015 8:01 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:01:11 -0400

I am retired now but I am pretty sure my boss would have forced me out.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 13 at 2015 8:08 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:08:59 -0400

I did know a few people who came into money: one through inheritance and one through lottery winnings. They both elected to get out.

I also knew a person who owned a couple of ice cream shops that were profitable but stayed in and was a "silent" owner of the shops and had his family members running the day to day operations of them.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Aug 13 at 2015 8:11 AM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:11:35 -0400

Yes, I would to build my dream home in the woods on a self-sustaining property. I'd rather work the land and be my own boss then work a normal job in society where people are outright disrespectful. Peace, quiet, relaxation = the dream.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 8:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:12:59 -0400

If I were to come into a large sum of money, and somehow keep it quiet from the military, I would continue my service if at all possible. I have devoted much of my life to serving my country and would love to stay until retirement. Yes, I would look forward to the benefits that come with retirement and I feel I will have earned them. I didn't join because I had to, I did it because I wanted to, I wanted to change something in my life. And I have accomplished that. So if I were to play the lottery and win, or some other form of a large sum of money, I would do my best to stay in until I reached retirement. Even though I would have a lot of money, finishing something I started so long ago would mean more than having big money in the bank. But the chances of that happening are very slim, since I don't play the lottery or have anyone in my family who has millions of dollars to give to anyone.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Aug 13 at 2015 8:39 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:39:57 -0400

I came into the military for selfish reasons (my benefits, my education, my job security, etc) - but I quickly learned that my selfish reasons were incorrect and that I was involved in something MUCH larger than myself. After that realization, things changed - and much for the better! It brought a whole new meaning and purpose to my life. One that was not centered on me, money, or anything of the sort - it was "out of this world" you could say! :-) So to answer your question, I think if coming into money happened before this transformation, I would have jumped on it, but if it came after, no - nothing would change other than I'd have a LOT more money to help others! I've learned that money is something we have temporary control over and I beleive it comes from God! He wants us to use it wisely - and it's not just for our own interests!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 9:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:43:42 -0400

I would still serve until I was told to retire. I've got considerable time in, and I would feel I cheated myself if I didn't follow through.

Like SGT Kristin Wiley , I too would like to have a place for peace and quiet. Maybe one of those defunct missle silos that is converted to house a small population complete with self sustaining garden and a gun range!

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Aug 13 at 2015 9:57 AM

SGT Christopher Churilla — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:57:55 -0400

I think I would stay in for the sense of purpose that serving has given me. I don't think I could handle just sitting around the house counting my money.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 10:00 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:00:13 -0400

Not at all. I will finish what I started. Money that falls from the sky can slip through your fingers.

The first thing I would do is hire my father as a financial adviser (just after I called Dave Ramsey's radio show for advice)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 10:19 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:19:14 -0400

No. I don't do this for the money. I serve because I want to. If I did come into a large sum of money, all I would do with it is to ensure my childrens college is well paid for.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 10:33 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:33:33 -0400

Honestly, it's easy to say I would, but there's no way to know for sure unless it happened. So here's my plan; give me the money and I'll get back with you.

Seriously though, I'm pretty sure I'd stay in yes, and use the money to help service members and veterans when they need it. Money isn't everything, and I would have no respect for myself or anyone who just took the money and ran.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Aug 13 at 2015 2:11 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:11:46 -0400

I sorta did. I make more than twice as much as I used to make, however, that wasn't the reason I left.

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made Aug 13 at 2015 2:27 PM

SSgt Robert Clark — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:27:35 -0400

Not quite the same and it was a long time ago so I know things are different now, but I took the buy out in 1992 and left after almost 11 years. Now, at the stage in life I am I realize it was a huge mistake and there is nothing I can do to correct the mistake. Based in my experience, I'd go back in today if I could, no amount of money is worth walking away from the only place I have ever felt like I belonged. The civilian world sucks.

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Aug 13 at 2015 2:44 PM

Jordan Gaudard — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:44:29 -0400

I really depends on how much money. I joined the military for a lot more than a paycheck, however, if I had a lot of money there is a good chance I wouldn't be able to hold back some of my feelings if you know what I mean.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 3:22 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:22:25 -0400

My wife and I have talked about this actually and the answer is no.

The reasons I joined the military didn't have anything to do with money, so having more of it shouldn't affect my desire to serve.

I do understand it isn't that straight forward. You are now sacrificing the ability and time to use your money, not just the difference in money between civilian and military sector. What I will say is that at some point the amount of money you have becomes a near full time job to manage properly (we're talking powerball winning numbers here). I don't disparage anyone for deciding to get out, but I wouldn't do it personally.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 11:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 23:17:34 -0400

Well we got some interesting feedback for the most part it was what I expected. I feel mutual in the logic of staying in and completing my career. For the most part pride overwhelms the other emotions. However I still hear this topic debated but mostly with lower enlisted Soldiers. This stands as a social experiment that shows loyalty to military comes with seniority. It can be frustrating hearing the number of Soldiers that forgot why they joined in the first place. A very large percentage go after the misconception of higher pay in the civilian sector. I spent a great deal of time counseling and more so educating Soldiers on their compensation and benefits.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 12:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 00:26:51 -0400

It would take me 20 years to make a Million bucks! I would get out and be my own boss. I'm sure that if I had a Million bucks I wouldn't be doing staff duty on a Saturday, that's for sure.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 3:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 03:31:52 -0400

If I won never have to work again money then absolutely I’d be gone. I already have more than 20 years. I’d feel no guilt in leaving.