Posted on Mar 8, 2014
With the Potential of Future Benefits Dwindling is the Military Still Worth a 20 Year (plus) Career?
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With what lately seems like an ambush (or dare I say an all out assault) on much of our pay, benefits, and entitlements; is anyone else finding it more and more difficult convincing our younger troops to consider staying in the military for the "long-haul" and making a career out of it?<div><br></div><div>Now I'm sure many of us didn't sign up for the money... but from my perspective and humble opinion, after 20+ years of service in the Armed Forces, I find that there's the potential to become less and less marketable for employment in the civilian sector. Just speaking in my case, as I plan to serve the entire 30 years, and with then by reaching the age of 50, I don't expect a whole lot of employers showering me with opportunities necessarily. </div><div><br></div><div>This is one of the main reasons I see in the benefit of retirement pay... too off-set and/or compensate for dedicating a large part of your life in service to our country and sacrificing other career opportunities for ourselves (and family even). </div><div><br></div><div>Again, I love what I do and wouldn't change a thing as my career in the Air Force has been good to both me and my family. Though just curious as to what other leaders are doing to convince the future generation of leaders (that we'll need to replace us) to stay and make a career out of the military?</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks in advance for your responses... </div>
Benefits
Military Career
Military Pay
Retirement
Retention
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 25
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<p>CMSgt,</p><p>I would say that if the benefits where not what they currently are I would have probably left after my first tour. Realizing I would be giving up 20+ years of my life, my time with my family, my body for the promise of a retirement check at the end was the agreement. The money wasn't the reason I joined but it was the kicker that made me stay in so long. </p>
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
This is exactly while I stayed in and am still in. We had a "deal" when we came in, we had a deal when we stayed in, we had a deal when we deployed time and again. To go back on that deal now would be a slap in the face.<div><br></div><div>If they need to change the retirement system, change it for those who haven't yet come in and let them make an informed decision as to whether its worth it or not - don't change the rules 3/4 the way through sometimes career.</div>
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I would not look back in my 24 years, its worth every second, if you love what you do.
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Lt Col Gregory Anderson
I agree SFC Davis,
With any job, whether civilian or military, there will be ups and downs. But I've always known that the benefits outweigh the setbacks. See the list below:
Benefits:
Lifelong Friendships and Comaraderie
Monetary Benefits
Travelling All Over The World
Required To Stay In Shape
Insurance
Ribbons
Long Periods of Boredom Followed By Moments of Sheer Terror
Free Food and Shelter Sometimes
I'm Sure Many Other Things
Negatives:
Implicit Danger
Always Outrank Somebody and Outranked By Somebody
Sometimes You Get A Bad "Somebody That Outranks You"
Missing Family Reunions, Birthdays, Weddings, etc.
I'm Sure Many Other Things
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CMSgt, this is a great question.<div><br></div><div>I echo the thoughts of another poster, in that few people join the military for retirement pay... it become a major incentive for people at 10+ years to stay in. I therefore don't think that any change in retirement pay will significantly influence many junior troops. Those already in, should be grandfathered in though.</div><div><br></div><div>I remember that as a 2nd Lieutenant, I met a bunch of junior Majors who didn't enjoy their time in the military and were not very motivated. When I asked why they were still in, I recall comments like "well, only got 8 more years to go. Can't get out now!" I do not believe that is the kind of incentive structure that is healthy to our force. Maybe you've met some people like this too.</div><div><br></div><div>By reforming military retirement pay to be more in line with modern standards (matching 401K funds, and not an "all or nothing" structure), it creates more flexibility for people to get out when they want... and avoids those Majors (and their enlisted equivalents) that I described above.</div><div><br></div><div>I obviously don't think the military should go back on anything promised to anyone, but I do think that modernizing its retirement system is a good thing.</div>
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LTC Yinon Weiss
Agreed... promises should not be broken. The incremental financial savings the government might gain is certainly not worth the lost trust (and hardships) that would be felt by those near or at retirement.
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CCMSgt (Join to see)
Major Weiss, interesting perspective you shared with regards to those junior Majors sir (and enlisted equivalents). And you're right, I could see how modernizing the retirement options may deter some of those individuals from "sticking around" and waiting it out. I also feel pretty confident that those of us that are in now (or at least I hope the majority) would not be too adversely affected by the possible changes... I'm going to do my best to maintain the faith in the system and our leaders that they'll do the right thing and maintain the promise that was made. Thanks again for sharing your insight sir.
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