What is one or two things that has kept you in the military until retirement or currently keeping you in to reach retirement?

It's hard to quit when you're having fun.

I gave up a great deal in earnings staying in until retirement (high earning specialty in medicine), but stayed in because I felt that I owed it to my brothers and sisters to continue to provide the best care to patriots and their families, to continue to mentor junior enlisted (I’m a mustang), and because frankly, I loved the people I worked with and for. I retired at the beginning of COVID… no ceremony, just quit going to work one day. I love my civilian job equally as well. And while it isn’t “the big check” I love that retirement check every month and everything that comes with it (especially because I stayed in my military town). That being said, I just went into the hospital today and the techs tell me morale is lower than ever before and I can’t blame them for separating as their medical tech specialty is likewise high demand and good pay. At the end of the day, each of us chooses what motivates us and what is best for us and our families (if we have one, which I didn’t much of my career… married to a retired mil member, no kids together). Whatever you choose, be proud and confident in your choice. If you serve 2 or 20 years, those years matter and we will always be family.

The knowledge that I can make a positive difference with leadership. However, when I was in staff positions I still tried to make a difference like writing a DTS Smart Book for the army and writing a DFAS wide SOP to support National Disaster Planning and Mitigation. For example what happens when banks go down due to the lack of electricity. How will government employees, military members, and contractors get paid?