4
4
0
I have posted this basic topic on other social media that has targeted veterans groups but I also want to post it here since this will reach a broader audience. If you have not reached retirement yet and are trying to decide to separate or retire, by all means go to retirement. If nothing else when you are able leave active duty and go guard or reserve. In 1992 the military was drawing down and we were offered an early out/buy out, I took the bait. For 20 of the past 21 years I have regretted that decision. During that time I had a family to support and a career to build and the next thing a new 21 years had passed. Shortly after my 51st birthday it hit me hard the mistake I made and I tried to join the Air National Guard but I was 3 months to late. I have a huge void in my life caused by getting out early and unintentionally I waited too late to be able to fill that void. From my experience I encourage anyone sitting the fence to stay in. I know retirement is not for everyone so this is for those who are uncertain. Please don't make the same mistake I made, you will regret it.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Transition
Retirement Transition
Edited 11 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
4
4
0
For me it was never really a question but if I could do things over I would have waited longer to retire. I think USAR/NG is a great option if you are leaving AD, but you have to do what is right for you.
You made the right choice for you at the time. I can understand where a 51 year old SSgt might have lost some value to the Air Guard...so a note to some, it does not always pay to wait.
You made the right choice for you at the time. I can understand where a 51 year old SSgt might have lost some value to the Air Guard...so a note to some, it does not always pay to wait.
(4)
(0)
SSgt Robert Clark
Thanks MSG Sand. Exactly my point...DON"T WAIT. I didn't put it off on purpose, mine was a case of time slipped by way to fast and by the time I realized it, it was to late.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
Retire if at all possible.Unless you have a plan with a career waiting stay in and retire. Even after retiring being an 11D, 11D combat arms person Had very little open. Even with the 76P background help some but I finally went back to building and own my own business. That is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
(3)
(0)
SSG Robin Rushlo
If I got out early I would say join a reserve of national Guard unit till you have the 20 year plus mark
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
SSgt Clark, I know your feeling (to some degree). I too separated from USMC in '91 then went to reserves for 2. I got out of reserves because nobody wanted to hire you as a cop if you were in USMCR.
I stayed out 6 years before going back in. One of my best decisions. It was tough coming back in, but was worth it.
I try and talk with all recently separated Vets I meet and tell them of the great and wonderful creature known as the Air National Guard. Have gotten a few back, but reserves/guard is not for everyone-it is tough on your full time job. And anyone who thinks that it is one weekend a month and 2 weeks in summer is in for a painfully large surprise.
But it is worth it.
I stayed out 6 years before going back in. One of my best decisions. It was tough coming back in, but was worth it.
I try and talk with all recently separated Vets I meet and tell them of the great and wonderful creature known as the Air National Guard. Have gotten a few back, but reserves/guard is not for everyone-it is tough on your full time job. And anyone who thinks that it is one weekend a month and 2 weeks in summer is in for a painfully large surprise.
But it is worth it.
(3)
(0)
SSgt Robert Clark
Thank you for reaching out to the folks who are getting out and at least educating them on their options. Not much was mentioned when I got out. At the very least, if I had been told I could pull reserve duty without pay for the 3 years I was IRR, I would at least have the points now to go ANG.
(2)
(0)
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
"A weekend a month and 2 weeks a year", the biggest lie since the Warren Commission Report.
(2)
(0)
TSgt Andrew Neal
My roommate while I was stationed at Little Rock AFB was reserves and he undoubtedly did the weekend a month and 2 weeks a year... However, in today's military they just cannot afford to do that anymore; what with the downsizing that they continue to do (which is just crazy given the ops tempo that they still expect to keep up). It is only going to strain the active duty AND the reserves even more.
(0)
(0)
CMSgt James Nolan
@ TSgt Neal. To be fair, if you are in a position that is really non-superisory, you may still be for the most part doing the minimums. But when you move up and take on more, that goes right out the window. There is not a week that goes by where I am not doing several things tied to our unit. Goes with the territory. You cannot possibly be prepped for UTA unless you are doing things. Still worth it. You have to make the determination of just how much you are willing to do.
@ Major Petrarca, I know sir, as a Major you are either in or headed toward a command position, and there is just no way to keep a unit going without "donating" time.
@ Major Petrarca, I know sir, as a Major you are either in or headed toward a command position, and there is just no way to keep a unit going without "donating" time.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
Hindsight is indeed 20/20. Sorry to hear of your plight, but thank you for sharing your story. Many have struggled with this decision in the past, and may more are currently facing or will face the same decision in the future. Hopefully your shared experience will assist them in their own decisions.
(3)
(0)
SSgt Robert Clark
This is exactly why I am sharing this. It is what is is for me, and that's ok. I just hope that if I share a little of my experience it will help people who are not sure what they want to do make an informed decision.
(2)
(0)
CMSgt James Nolan
@ MSG Huffman, you sir are correct. My hindsight vision is 20/100 maybe better. Just like in golf, the second guy is always better (mulligan).
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
If after 10, definitely stay in. So far the benefits for a NG/USAR retirement package even with the wait factor (14+ years and counting) is worth it, IMHO. Just having Tricare available to me was a big deal when I lost my job - much less expensive and covers more than COBRA.
If before or at 10, I think you have to ask yourself how much you like it for it to be worth it. I was at the 12 year mark for my fist NG deployment in 2002 and knew, beyond a doubt, there'd be at least one more before hitting 20. Bottom line, do your home work, talk to your significant other and make an informed decision based on your stage in life. Don't jump w/o a parachute.
I can sympathize with you SSgt Clark. I remember that time period. Even West Point officers were being given early out options - and taking them - having not met their originally mandatory obligation. It can be a tough choice.
If before or at 10, I think you have to ask yourself how much you like it for it to be worth it. I was at the 12 year mark for my fist NG deployment in 2002 and knew, beyond a doubt, there'd be at least one more before hitting 20. Bottom line, do your home work, talk to your significant other and make an informed decision based on your stage in life. Don't jump w/o a parachute.
I can sympathize with you SSgt Clark. I remember that time period. Even West Point officers were being given early out options - and taking them - having not met their originally mandatory obligation. It can be a tough choice.
(3)
(0)
SSgt Robert Clark
My time in was 10yrs 10mos 28days, all I had to do was make it a little over 9 years and I could retire. My main reason for falling for the buy out is I was in an operational job and I wanted a tech job. Wanted to be a mechanic but my AFSC/MOS was always critical manned so I couldn't train into a new career field. Little did I know at the time that the Air Force would completely change the career field structure and give a better chance of landing a more technical position. My wife was an active part of the decision process and she has not looked back. She wishes I had stayed in, but is not sorry I got out. She is a rock that I lean on daily.
(1)
(0)
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Nice to hear that you and your wife have a partnership like my wife and I do. That is very unfortunate about your MOS change. You would think that your training folks or a separation counselor would have had that information, if that change was right on the horizon at your decision point. But ultimately, as MSG Sand points out, you did what was best for you at the time.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I recent went through a TAP (Transition Assistance Program) class at my local AFB, ACAP (Army Career Alumin Program) for Army folk. When I attended the initial TAP brief, there was about 15 of us, of which 3 of us, myself included were going to actually retire. The rest were just completing their initial contract and ETSing and the others were given their 'pink slips'. Now there was a couple of service members that got into trouble and were being discharged and some were being let go due to the downsizing. When I got the actual 5 day mandatory class 2 weeks later, our initial 15 grew to a group of 55. On the first day of class, I asked how many explored the option of going to the Reserves or Guard, only a couple raised there hands.
If you are faced with a involuntary/voluntary separation, do explore your options, there are many opportunities in the Reserves or Guard. Keep in mind, you have to be willing to change your MOS/AFSC/Rating, be flexible, be open minded. Also there could be federal GS/WG grade job positions or AGR opportunities that may be available to you.
Also, if you have six years of active duty service, you may be given severance pay. But keep this in mind, should you ever have to file a VA claim for a service connected injury/illness that occurred while on active duty, you can't receive any money for that disability until that severance pay is paid back to the gov't.
If you do have to get out, look at all your options, review your benefits, things get a lot harder to change once your out.
If you are faced with a involuntary/voluntary separation, do explore your options, there are many opportunities in the Reserves or Guard. Keep in mind, you have to be willing to change your MOS/AFSC/Rating, be flexible, be open minded. Also there could be federal GS/WG grade job positions or AGR opportunities that may be available to you.
Also, if you have six years of active duty service, you may be given severance pay. But keep this in mind, should you ever have to file a VA claim for a service connected injury/illness that occurred while on active duty, you can't receive any money for that disability until that severance pay is paid back to the gov't.
If you do have to get out, look at all your options, review your benefits, things get a lot harder to change once your out.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
I'm too close to retirement now. I always wanted to retire from the military and then retire from another job somewhere in the civilian world.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
I agree. If you can hold out till 20 at least and retire, then do so. My dad (a career Navy man) urged me to do my 20 and retire because of the benefits. He was right. As a retiree, I get to take advantage of military discounts, and as a disabled Veteran with two paychecks (retiree and VA), I get some additional perks not available to those who didn't retire and get VA disability. My husband is also a retiree, and even without his pay, if I had to, I could make it on just my pay alone. Not only that, but if you work it right, you can save up and invest while serving and build a nice nest egg for when you do retire via TSP, Savings Bonds, online Stock firms (like Sharebuilder or E-Trade), etc.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
ETS but dont be forgotten...get in the Guards or Reserves; go to school option or work for public school system, or government agencies...
I dont know about other States but here in MN, the Guards and Reserve duty is tops and those selectees can work as a DoD Civilian, wage grades, and general service. Promotions in this state are good if going that direction.
Consider being a ROTC Instructor at a local participating college while getting a degree.
Check out your own State.
I dont know about other States but here in MN, the Guards and Reserve duty is tops and those selectees can work as a DoD Civilian, wage grades, and general service. Promotions in this state are good if going that direction.
Consider being a ROTC Instructor at a local participating college while getting a degree.
Check out your own State.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google