Posted on Feb 1, 2015
Is staying in to retire from the military worth it?
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Is retiring in the military worth it. I see a lot of my leaders that's been in almost 20 years and they always have a look and act like they hate life and hate you. My thing is just a front to lead a lot of people or does the military turn you into That?
Military Life
Retired
Retirement
Pension
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 50
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Well my brother I'll tell you this, I retired after 20 because I was ready for something else. Tje Army was great to me and my family and I have no regrets...I know guys who spent 25 or more before they retired and all of them wish they would have retired sooner for one reason or another. If you are asking your self "when should I drop my retirement request?" Or "I'm not having fun anymore" it's probably time to hang up your boots and move on.
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Here's my take. I've been in the Army 20 years last December and I still love it. I am one of a select few however who at 20 years gets the distinct honor of commanding at the LTC level. It's an honor and I love being with the Soldiers in this Squadron. Now...at some point...maybe in the near future, the Army may tell me that they no longer require me as a commander. I'm not going to stick around and do staff jobs for another 10-15 years for the sake of it. If someone is no longer in the "command track" (at least in the Army), it's possible to get a little jaded. Most don't. Some do. Some just ride their time to 20, take their retirement award and chalk up one decent monthly paycheck. I still love it. I hope I always will. This profession has value. It has meaning. It has honor and self sacrifice. There are very few that do. Hold your own values high and revel in the things that you love about the service. Don't let those who have failed drag on your soul. Use them as reasons to achieve and be a better man then they. Your service is noble. Your sacrifice is prime.
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COL (Join to see)
TSgt Douglas Quayle, there will be some days where it couldn't get any worse unless someone was waiting behind your office door with a bat and started pretending your junk was a pinyata. Those days should be rare. I take time and breathe when that happens. I take the time to remember a GREAT story that no civilian could ever have. I take the time to remember just how miserable I have been in the past. Things aren't ever so bad as to cloud the reason why we serve...if you have truly found a moral compass worth following.
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LTC (Join to see)
Very inspiring response. I think that the military should not force everybody to keep rotating back and forth between command and staff. Yes there may be some argument for being "well-rounded" but some people clearly do better at one or the other. Patton was a brilliant general but if he were put behind a desk he would wouldn't function well. Another officer may be also be brilliant tactician but is more conceptual and analytical in his/her approach and might make a great S/G-3 but a lousy commander. I think retention, morale and job satisfaction would be better if a soldier was allowed to stay in the area he or she can make the best contribution. (may consider making this response into a new question!
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CSM Charles Hayden
COL (Join to see) - Congratulations on you current assignment, PCS for the school year w/family. Cool!
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22 years of active service (following 18 years as Army Brat and 5+ years training to become an officer). Basically my entire life associated with the Army!
I hope that I don't look or act like I hate life and hate my Soldiers, but will relook (again) to make sure that is not what I am representing.
I love being in the Army, and still love what I do. Some days are not as much fun as others, but still having fun overall.
I hope that I don't look or act like I hate life and hate my Soldiers, but will relook (again) to make sure that is not what I am representing.
I love being in the Army, and still love what I do. Some days are not as much fun as others, but still having fun overall.
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