Most Americans are totally screwed when it comes to saving for retirement

You are right on. Some of my kids just don't get it. They think they are entitled to a home, a car, a job, frequent eating out, yet they have not earned them.

Yeah, and it's really sad too! (Sorry, it was the perfect line to follow with a Gilligan line.)

My wife is Active and over 20 years in. When we were OCONUS (Last Tour) we ate beans and rice for the 3 years over there. Specifically to pay off all debt save for the mortgages on the houses. We did that and refi to basically have two mortgages equate to one mortgage equivalent in previous payments that would be less than 20% of her pension check per month. What this taught me is not only delayed gratification but the ability to learn to not jump on the wagon train of "splurge thyself". I may never drive a car worth more than $20k but I never have a Garage Sale either to pay bills.

MAJ (Join to see) - you denifetly can live on a military pension. In fact, anyone with a military pension is way ahead of the curve. Remember though, only about 12% of the military ever receive a pension. Also, last time I looked that number included reservists and national guard who don't receive a pension until 60. My wife retired early through a med board due to a combat related injury, but we were planning on her doing 20 specifically for the reason that the pension benefit really is a game changer for retirement planning. We're both now in our mid thirties and financially set thanks to her pension.

MAJ Michael Pauling - one financial lesson I've learned through personal experience and watching others in the military is not to buy a house until after you get out of the military. I bought a house once, sold it, and about broke even. But those I've seen struggle financially are those who have bought one or more houses and the PCS and are stuck with multiple mortgages....this hits folks really hard when they PCS overseas and are assigned quarters or get OHA.

save on dispoable cash but lose on equity over decades of loan service...........what I did was purchase houses near Military Bases where I wanted to return to when I retired. The advantages are you pay it off while you draw military pay, you get a tax write-off and as an added bonus, you possibly get to keep State Residencey in the State you have a house in based on Statute. You may run the risk of having the issues you mention but if you do not bite off more than you can chew you could end up with a house nearly paid off and your pension money being used for other things in life. If more than one property you have you get a cash flow from the second house that is also paid off. Think of it as wealth management avenue which seems to get harded and harder for middle class nowadays.