Posted on Oct 12, 2017
Since humans live longer, should the military allow folks to stay longer?
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I retired from the Corps in 1999 when I was 37 partially because I felt I need to in order to better prepare for long term retirement. I would have stayed if I knew I could stay long enough to reach full retirement.
Additionally, many vets struggle to get a job. Many are better suited to stay in.
Since humans live longer, should the military allow folks to stay longer?
Additionally, many vets struggle to get a job. Many are better suited to stay in.
Since humans live longer, should the military allow folks to stay longer?
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 8
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Just because a vet is better suited to stay in doesn't mean the service is better with that person. There are maximum caps to allow turnover which allows for promotion. The National Guard allows people to stay in for decades and their promotions are terrible. Terrible like E4s and E5s retiring at 50 years old.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Norah Julmis I had a teacher just like that. She had taught alot of the parents of my classmates and in at least one case I'm pretty sure she had taught the grandparents.
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SGT Eric Knutson
LCDR (Join to see) - totally agree LT, but what about the other side of the coin, the mandatory up or out for JR enlisted (this can apply to some officers as well) I had a guy that was tops at whatever you tasked him to do, knew his job inside and out as well as several of the other jobs in the motorpool, Refused to board because he wanted no part of the responsibility of a team or a squad. he was happy as a SPC4 and highly proficient, but we lost a good troop who was just one of those that wanted nothing to do with leadership.
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LCDR (Join to see)
SGT Eric Knutson - Totally agree. That's why I wish the Army had kept the Specialist track with SPC5-8. One of the civilians I worked for when I was enlisted was a retired CSM who was part of the group that recommended doing away with the SPC ranks. He said it was his biggest regret from his Army career. I wish all the branches would incorporate something like this and I think in the future we will have to look to something along these lines with technology careers.
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SGT Eric Knutson
yes, that was my though with this guy back then, I would have recommended him to SPC 6 in a heartbeat. We have all seen them, people who have no capability of command at any level, but are just happy doing their job without hassles and an honest love of the military lifestyle, but are totally lost at leading others in any kind of organized level.
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I retired in 1996 at 20 years and was 39 years old. When I hit the 19 year mark I was told I had to attend a retirement briefing. The first briefing that I went to they told us that unless we were in the civilian job market prior to age 40 we would never be hired for a decent job. After I got out I discovered that people of my age were in far more demand by employers than kids getting out of collage. Had know that I would have been inclined to stick around a few more years and tried to get out of Fort Leonard Wood and back to a line unit.
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GySgt (Join to see) I retired at 50, after 31 years in the Army Reserve. I reached mandatory years of service for an officer. 3 years enlisted, 28 years officer up to LTC. I will really miss serving my country but it was time for me to allow the room for younger personnel to advance into the space I was filling in the Reserve. My last ten years was three overseas deployments.
I have seen the military go from a leader oriented organization to a very risk adverse and leader constant over-watch. If you are in a leader position expect to be analyzed in every area of your command. It is something, you must just get used to and not overreact to in your career.
I enjoyed each part of it, and am thankful for the opportunity to serve. If allowed to I would serve longer. Medically, at this time I could not. Blessings to all that can and do it, if you love what you do!
I have seen the military go from a leader oriented organization to a very risk adverse and leader constant over-watch. If you are in a leader position expect to be analyzed in every area of your command. It is something, you must just get used to and not overreact to in your career.
I enjoyed each part of it, and am thankful for the opportunity to serve. If allowed to I would serve longer. Medically, at this time I could not. Blessings to all that can and do it, if you love what you do!
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