Posted on Dec 28, 2013
Is the military a safe career for retirement considering the drawdown empahsis?
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With the emphasis on drawing down heavily the active duty forces, is there really a good chance to get in a solid 20 plus years and retirement. Especially, with the zero defect career a officer walks, can it be said that a military career is worth the gamble. A bad rating, less than a middle mark senior rater profile, and school selections, the list is limitless. Having had 6 years enlisted, staff sergeant infantry, and then selection to OCS, I know it was a constant up hill struggle. But now things are back to peacetime mode and just doing the job is not going to cut it. Not everyone can walk on water, or can they?
Posted in these groups: 
Drawdown
Retirement
Drawdown Retirement
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 8
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I feel the retirement system is in real jeopardy. The commission that conducted the study last year (or the year before?) has had all of their recommendations eventually accepted over the years. This will likely be accepted as well and we will see the end of benefits beginning after a service member serves 20 years.
I realize this is not good news, but hopefully those currently serving will remain in a "grandfather" status so their benefits are not affected.
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LTC George Tobias III
Jason, you know all the retirement plans, joggling back and forth. 15 year here, 10 year there. None have proved worthy of a solid 20 year retirement with pay at the gate. I am a Vietnam era prior enlisted soldier (Infantry), so I've seen things both ways, and the looking glass is no different as a commissioned officer. Grandfathering, yes that would be the respectful thing to do for those presently serving. But giving today's severe budget cutting axe, that may not be a reality, or something to count on. Take care. Like to stay in touch. All the way! Airborne
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LTC Jason Strickland
George,
You're right on target with the wishy-washy attitude emanating from the Pentagon and think tanks. I certainly hope the Congressmen understand their constituency and the sacrifices they have made; however, I don't have confidence that our retirees will be on the forefront of their votes....
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I think the military is just as safe today (for retirement purposes) as it was 28 years ago when I entered. It may seem less safe at the moment because we are at the beginning of a drawdown and everyone is nervous. Those of us who have been through this before realize that natural attrition and self-selection will get rid of about 90% of those targetted for a drawdown. It is a very small percentage who will be kicked out. And this is speaking of the actually drawdown period. We will see a slight decrease in promotion rates and we will see more people kicked out. But we aren't kicking out average Soldiers. We are enforcing the standards we have ignored for the last decade. We are kicking out the fatties and the DUIs which we chose to overlook because we are at war. Your average performer is still going to be promoted at an average rate which is generally all that is needed to reach retirement. The waterwalkers will simply be the early promotions.
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LTC George Tobias III
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But, first, I want to thank you for responding to the question, You are a very good writer, and good luck with your Foreign relations duty post. I know you have a lot of good character to be selected. Along your career tracks you have fortunantely been around some very good people to work for. And you have performed well. These are the keys. But is it really fair to hold one thing against a soldier that he did 15 years ago. We didn't hold it against them when we needed bodies to support the war effort on 2 fronts. GOOD LUCK TO YOU COLONEL.
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LTC Joseph Gross
Thanks. And I'm not a Foreign Service Officer. Rather I am a Foreign Area Officer which is a functional area within the Army. As such, I'm still branched Infantry even though I'll never return to my basic branch. I can't disagree with your attitude about how we determined Soldiers were worth our while one day but as soon as we don't need them, we cast them aside. But don't forget that the majority that we are kicking out now are in violation of regulations which they were aware of. They made a choice to be overweight or get tattoos that were contrary to the regulation. What sucks to me is not that we are also now choosing to kick out sex offenders for something they did 12-15 years ago but that we didn't kick them out then. I've seen the records of some we chose to allow to remain in service. They deserved prison and a discharge.
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LTC George Tobias III
Sorry for my mistake. Yes, it is a functional area. I was signal so I never seen another functional area. Thanks for all your service to our country, but I do agree with you about the tattoos, earrings, body piecings, etc... Take care Colonel, and I wish you the best here on the outside. No one cares about our rank anymore, but I'm sure you'll do well. All the way! Airborne
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I think the current lifers should be somewhat safe, not sure about the next generation of under a decade Soldiers (NCOs/Officers) alike, but maybe some of this will be reversed once the current administration and many of his Dem cohorts are out of office for a few years as well, whenever the Dems are running Congress and the WH, we suffer like this, I would think you can remember the early to mid 90s under Clinton, same fiasco, just not as severe as it is now.
It is going to get a lot worse before it will taper off and get better again as it should be.
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LTC George Tobias III
You hit it right on the bulls eye. Political affiliation has had a lot to do with how our armed forces are managed. I was around during the largest raise ever (1977) during the "Carter" administration. Received a 14.3 % raise as a E-4. Once things finally settle down it should be a better time to serve. The unknown can be very stressful on both the soldier and family. Wishing you the best, and glad to have you as a friend. All the way! Airborne
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LTC George Tobias III
SN Martin. WOW! You bring back a lot of memories. At the time I was a young SGT (Infantry) at Ft. Benning, Ga. I remember waiting for the choppers to deploy to Somalia. You are exactly right about the political climate at the time. I could go on and on. I want to thank you for being where you were at the time. Needed you guys for fire support being deployed in CENTCOM's back yard. Luckily, we came with whatever we needed. That is what the military is moving to now. Manuever Brigades able to move quicker, self sufficient, and deployable as a RDF as you stated. Thanks for your valuable input. Thanks for your service and a job well done. George Tobias, III
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Congress has never been a trustworthy employer. They base funding decisions on political considerations first, national security second (maybe) and fulfillment of their obligation to the men and women who served the nation last. We all know this going in. I think most people serve 20 plus years because they love what we do, not because of the promised benefits.
That said, we all look forward to the retirement pay we were promised. A wise soldier will look to the future and invest a portion of pay each month so that no matter what Congress does, the retirement will be covered.
That said, we all look forward to the retirement pay we were promised. A wise soldier will look to the future and invest a portion of pay each month so that no matter what Congress does, the retirement will be covered.
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LTC George Tobias III
Yes you are so right. First of all, we have always had those who are unfair people to work for, no matter how hard you try to please them. They will be the ones wating to throw something at you you did 15 yesrs ago freah during the drawdown. I wish I was wrong, but have worked for quite a few who were only out to make themselves look good. Heaven only knows how these people wind up in leadership positions. Take care of the mission, yes but take care of your soldiers.. They both go hand in hand.
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Sir,
I feel your pain everyday. I have had all amazing ratings with an ACOM but just one bad rating (Fully Qualified) almost kept me from making Major on the last board. When I first commissioned and came on active duty they had removed the block Check from CPT and below ratings and there was so much more room to learn and show creativity. Now we are back to the point if you ever make a mistake your whole career can be over. fortunately I came in at the right time and the next time I will look at promotion is at the 17 year mark so I will continue down the trail.
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LTC George Tobias III
Good for you. I am proud that you have not allowed somebody elses failures in the rating sysyem to keep you down. Congratulations Major. I think you will have no problem passing the LTC broad, just remember its what I am doing today that really counts. Enjyed reading your comments
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I like your directness and clarity and I left only because I was tired of some things. I had a lot of good experiences but the idea it becomes more political made it an easy decision to get out.
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I think the ability to serve 20 years and retire are just as possible now as they were when I came on active duty in 1968. What has changed is the ability to be forced out at the 15 - 18 year point. There is certainly less room for any hiccups in your career now than in my day, but if you keep your performance level high and complete the requirements to be competitive for your next rank you should be able to get to retirement. I witnessed the post Vietnam drawdown first hand and saw many great people forced out, but don't think that environment is as pervasive today despite talks of drawdowns. I certainly believe we will see changes in the retirement system, but from all I've read anyone on active duty will be grandfathered if/when any change is implemented so if you're serving now you can retire at 20, assuming a good performance history.
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