Would anyone recommend re-enlisting in the USAR for three years to complete 20 at the age odd go 54?

2021-08-01T17:01:07-04:00

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 5:30 PM

2021-08-01T17:30:10-04:00

In my opinion, yes it’s worth it. Three more years to get a true retirement doesn’t seem like a bad gig.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 5:30 PM

2021-08-01T17:30:24-04:00

If they'll let you, why not complete 3 more good years and start drawing your retirement shortly afterward?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 1 at 2021 6:14 PM

2021-08-01T18:14:17-04:00

You’d be crazy not to, of course they have to provide the opportunity.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 7:03 PM

2021-08-01T19:03:18-04:00

SSG Gordon Hill My uncle did, 3 months before 55. Was an 0-4, became an E-4. He later deployed with me for Operation Spartan Shield. He finished the 20 as an E-6, and rested a MAJ. One of my heroes to be sure.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 8:40 PM

2021-08-01T20:40:21-04:00

Well I've seen many USAR do more then 20.. not that they wanted to, but apparently it takes a long ass time for the paperwork.. I imagine it would only get worse in your case.. but I'm sure it all depends on who ya know and what unit you're in. But overall, if you can get a contract and can meet the new physical standards. Do it! And props if you do!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 9:14 PM

2021-08-01T21:14:04-04:00

Guard or Reserve yeah, get your benefits.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 1 at 2021 9:16 PM

2021-08-01T21:16:25-04:00

If you are able and willing I would think finishing out to receive retiree benefits would be worth it. But that's your decision to make.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 10:48 PM

2021-08-01T22:48:06-04:00

Absolutely. It is well worth it.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Aug 1 at 2021 10:48 PM

2021-08-01T22:48:09-04:00

In my case, I was released from Active Duty (A/D) after having been passed over, twice, for Major in the USAF. I got myself into the AF Reserves, and continued my career (such as it was). I was promoted to Major in the Reserves. I was also promoted to Lt Col in the Reserves. I had 12 years + A/D, and did another 16 in the Reserves.

I remember encountering a former 2nd level supervisor (boss's boss) after retiring from the Reserves. He had retired from A/D and was working for a major aerospace contractor. We were the same rank. He asked me about my career, post when we worked in the same unit. I said that I joined the Reserves, which accidentally promoted me to Major, and then accidentally promoted me to Lt Col. I was kidding, of course. However, he turns this serious face to me and said "Nobody gets 'accidentally' promoted to Lieutenant Colonel." Heh. Message received and understood. :)

Response by SGT Anna Tyler made Aug 1 at 2021 11:02 PM

2021-08-01T23:02:31-04:00

No offense but I didn’t think someone could re-enlist at that age. I always thought there was a age cutoff.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 7:39 AM

2021-08-02T07:39:53-04:00

Here is my question for you, how is your retirement health insurance, or will you have any. Get your 20 and you get health insurance at age 60. I know 5 or 6 guys where I work that are working to age 65 just because of health insurance.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 2 at 2021 8:44 AM

2021-08-02T08:44:26-04:00

Sure... you're already at the age where you'd collect the pension anyway. If they'll let you, of course.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 9:28 AM

2021-08-02T09:28:05-04:00

You would have to do more than 3 years

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 9:29 AM

2021-08-02T09:29:07-04:00

Being that close there's almost no way I wouldn't recommend it. Finish out your 20 brother!

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Aug 2 at 2021 9:58 AM

2021-08-02T09:58:23-04:00

Biggest regret of my life was not finishing my time to get a pension. Turning 62 this year, I look back and realize all I had to do was 11 weekends and two weeks for another 14 years and I would have a pension. Maybe less, not sure how the active army time applies to the PANG time, but I was freaking stupid for not doing it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 2:45 PM

2021-08-02T14:45:44-04:00

Oh yea, totally, like everyone has said, and it looks like you're a medical specialty. So it' not like you're pushing pallets in a warehouse. Even worst case you're a SSG. So there's always E4s running around to go the heavy lifting.

Response by SFC Antonio Baird made Aug 2 at 2021 3:37 PM

2021-08-02T15:37:05-04:00

You have to figure out if you and your family can put up with it, but you ensure yourself a pension and some benefits for your family as well. You've already crested the majority of the hill. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2021 9:49 PM

2021-08-03T21:49:58-04:00

Yes. I did not re-enlist as I was a commissioned officer. However, I served until age 57 when I hit my mandatory removal date and completed two years of retiree recall. I was able to retire and draw retired pay with my years of active duty. It allowed me and my wife to have a pretty decent lifestyle.

Response by SFC Wilfredo Ramos made Aug 7 at 2021 8:31 PM

2021-08-07T20:31:25-04:00

Of course, it would be a mistake not to. Three years fly by and the benefits and personal satisfaction are priceless.

Response by LTC Philip Marlowe made Aug 17 at 2021 6:38 PM

2021-08-17T18:38:24-04:00

Yes...do it. Get mobilized and deployed if you can. Remember every day is a point and a point is worth $ at retirement. I was a 'gray area' Officer in the USAR all the way up till I retired @ 60 in 2012. If they'd mobilized me, I'd have gone - even at 56-59.9 years.

Response by SFC Roy C made Sep 2 at 2021 9:01 AM

2021-09-02T09:01:55-04:00

Take a look at your retirement points statement and first look to see if its correct. This will tell you exactly how many good years you have and how many more you need. You may not need to reenlist, it may be a shorter time so you could extend to get your twenty. Speak to your career counselor and then select the best option for you. Get those retirement points corrected immediately if they are wrong. This is the most important piece of paper for a career USAR Soldier. Go to the HRC website for instructions on corrections. If your career counselor don't know how to help you, then ask for their boss, if their boss don't know, ask for their SGM. Someone in your career counselor's chain will know how to help getting those points corrected. If the career counselor can't get it done, then they are not worth their salt. I would know, I was one for 16 years.

Response by Lt Col Kathryn Bowers made Sep 2 at 2021 3:03 PM

2021-09-02T15:03:39-04:00

You really need to do it. Your military retirement is worth more than you will ever realize (until you start drawing it).

Response by PO1 Lyndon Thomas made Sep 2 at 2021 3:56 PM

2021-09-02T15:56:12-04:00

Absolutely, Yes!

Response by SMSgt James Chandler made Sep 14 at 2021 11:35 AM

2021-09-14T11:35:09-04:00

Yes! Why wouldn't you if you are so close? Get your 20 and then join the retired reserve until age 60 when you will be eligible for healthcare under Tricare and retired military pay.

Response by SPC(P) Clifford Deal made Sep 14 at 2021 11:47 AM

2021-09-14T11:47:28-04:00

Yes. Esperance can help the young pups coming up, and getting the SM retired is an honorable thing. I enlisted late [ Age 22 vs 18.] and got no help trying to stay in for even an early out. [ Wrong PT tables all the time et al..] Let's start SUPPORTING each other instead of jamming them up.

Response by COL Terry Granade made Sep 16 at 2021 2:53 PM

2021-09-16T14:53:30-04:00

I would most definitely for the medical at age 60.
A word of caution. Make sure you understand exactly when you qualify for retirement benefits. Some said “immediately”, and that may be when you/one reaches age 60.
Act like you’re from Missouri and say “ Show Me”. If the enlisted recruiter isn’t sure, have him/her retrieve the applicable Regulation.
Don’t reenlist based on comments from here.

Response by SSG Elyzabeth Cromer made Sep 17 at 2021 7:20 PM

2021-09-17T19:20:32-04:00

Absolutely. Unless you have a billion dollars in your retirement account and an amazing healthcare plan. Otherwise you should absolutely reenlist. You should also be doing doing anything else you can for extra retirement points. Depending on your unit there may be extra duty available in the form of ADT, ADSW, ADOS, RMA'S, and of course do those damn correspondence courses.

Response by MSgt Robert Davidson made Sep 17 at 2021 11:44 PM

2021-09-17T23:44:09-04:00

You would be smart to reenlist for 3 more years, to get your 20, even if you can't get your military retirement until your 60.I retired as a MSgt (10 years active duty reserve and 14 years reserve time = 24 good years .I make 1872.00 retirement check, but they do take out some money for my wife's tricare.

Response by 1SG Robert Rush made Sep 19 at 2021 10:06 AM

2021-09-19T10:06:19-04:00

Most definitely, Yes! You can not put a price tag on the benefits you and your wife would receive .

Response by 1SG Clifford Barnes made Sep 19 at 2021 7:24 PM

2021-09-19T19:24:11-04:00

Absolutely l would mainly for the benefits and the medical aspect. Common sense here

Response by Sgt William Graham made Oct 26 at 2021 3:51 PM

2021-10-26T15:51:52-04:00

The numbers are in your favor