Your enlistment anniversary: How important is it to you?
I am old, just hang in there, do not wish your life away. I always wished for this 20 year mark, but now I wish I was a young trooper like you with fire in my eyes. Keep up the good work, It will be here bfore you know it and you will be talking t a young SPC saying the same thing I am to you! I am proud of my anniversarry but it does make me feel old!
SPC Thundercloud,
I am in the same boat as SFC Pate. Since I left Active Duty and did a little over 8 years in the guard, every one of my dates is different. The two I track now are my PEBD and BASD.
The BASD is the obvious one to count since that one leads to the monthly paycheck. I past the 19 mark a few months ago and plan to celebrate on 1 DEC 14 when I hit the magic 20! Of course, I am not going anywhere; still having WAY too much fun to hang up the uniform now!
The PEBD didn't mean much to me at first (except the pay bump every couple years). Now, it is beginning to be a little more special as the total number of years in uniform start racking up. I will hit 28 on 1 OCT 14 and I will, once again, say to myself "Holy S***! That's a long time!"
OK, you can now start with the "Oldest CPT in Army history" jokes. =D
Congatulations on your first three, SPC. I hope you have a great career and as much fun as I've had over the past three decades.
Initially I would celebrate by taking a shot for every year of service. With two kids, almost 13 years of service, and the inability of recovering like I could when I was 22, I no longer celebrate that way... Now, we celebrate with fireworks (enlisted 03JULY), and a few beers.
Oustanding Post. Congratulations to you on your 1st 3 year Service Stripe. I remember a time when I got mine sewed on followed by 4 combat stripes. I thought I was one Bad mofo to be a 3 year E-4 with 4 combat stripes and one 1 service stripe.
I always look forward to my anniversary year in the Army. One because I am that much closer to retirement "July 7th 2014 and I will have 8 years 364 days until retirement." and two depending on the year, you get that 2 year pay increase.
It is always exciting coming up in the ranks and getting that first Good Conduct Medal, or getting those Sergeant Stripes sewn on. You have many milestones to go in your career and I am glad you still have passion and pride about yourself and the Army. I wish you all the best in your career. Good luck and thanks for your service.
Enlisted
