When should you retire?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:07:05 -0400

I'm an Soldier, NCO, who feels physically young as when I enlisted. I can do 20 years and retire, but I feel I can do the 32 if I was a CSM OR SGM with no problem. I can do the 40 year career if I was a warrant officer or officer. I've heard do your 20 and get out, you can't do this forever.

With all I know now is getting out the best option for me and my family?

V/r
SSG Shawn Foster

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 31 at 2015 12:26 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:26:35 -0400

Stay the course if you don't have a specific opportunity you get out to take. If you retire you will have to start over from scratch in a new career with a completely different culture; you don't know if that will be an improvement or a step back.

After 20 you will be too young to retire completely. On night shift we used to read the obituaries in the AF Times and laugh; there were only two types represented - those that had retired within 2 years and those that had retired over 30 years before. If you go from an active life to sedentary your body will shut down on you; those that lived on had started a new career and continued to work hard.

If you enjoy what you are doing and are good at it, how do you expect to improve on that?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 12:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:37:16 -0400

Keep going as long as long as your career is progressing. Once you start blocking younger, deserving soldiers from moving up is when it's time to call it quits.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 12:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:54:21 -0400

It all depends on where you find yourself when you get to decision points.
I thought I was going to stick it out for about thirty years, then life got in the way and turned everything on it's ear. With all of the consequences, I've questioned more than once if I screwed up by not getting out at 20 years, but at the time my decision was rooted on a SGM selection and a strong family and supportive wife.

If it comes to choosing the Army or your family, you have to put your family first. Without that foundation, you won't succeed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 1:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 13:18:27 -0400

Depends where you are at now, and where you think you will end up when you hit your 20 and if you plan to stay longer.

Things to consider before retiring(or can affect your retirement strategy): SBP to protect your retired pay, Tricare/Dental premiums, VGLI or other life insurance coverage, financial planning(debt mgmt, emergency saving, TSP/401K/Roth IRA), force reductions, relocation after retirement, employment after retirement, GI Bill(transferring benefits), VA disability compensation, spouse currently employed?, kids in school etc?

Years of service based off High-3 of base pay:
20-50% 21-52.5% 22-55% 23-57.5% 24-60% 25-62.5%

26-65% 27-67.5% 28-70% 29-72.5% 30-75% (the max is 75%)

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made May 31 at 2015 4:33 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sun, 31 May 2015 16:33:33 -0400

I knew that 20 years was going to be enough for me. I never intended to make a career out of the military. I was going to do 4-8 years, then out and back to school with a GI Bill since I felt I had some growing up to do prior to going to college. But then I met my wife and that all changed. With no education beyond high school, I decided to say in until I could retire.

But this is as personal a decision as enlisting. My recommendation is to make a list of pros and cons of retiring or not retiring and include your family since this will affect all of you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 4:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 16:50:54 -0400

There has been a lot of good advice, thanks!

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 31 at 2015 4:51 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 31 May 2015 16:51:09 -0400

PROFESSIONALLY
When you're no longer making an impact/difference (self-described or other) or you wake up 5 straight days not wanting to do it anymore, it's time to go.

PERSONALLY
If your family is ready to go and you (you and your family) have a solid exit strategy, may want to strongly consider it. After 20-, 30-, or 40-years, you'll receive an ceremony, award, and a monthly check from the military...if you serve without the blessing of the family, you'll have the above (ceremony & award) to look back on and nothing to look forward to.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 9:10 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 21:10:26 -0400

When you feel like retiring anytime after serving 20 years.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Nov 13 at 2015 1:23 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 13:23:05 -0500

I think that for all of us we just have that gut feeling that its time to hang up your hat.
I loved my time in the Navy and in all honesty in 1999 when they announced that E-6 could stay until 22 years I reenlisted without a second thought. I was back on the ship and life was good for me.
9/11 happened and I was asked to extend for another year because the Navy was short handed and it was easy to get the waiver, again I loved what I was doing and I felt I had a purpose so I extended. Another year goes by and I was asked to extend again and I was hesitant because of the new leadership but I figured it would be good to stay and assist in the transition. A few months into the extension I realized it was time to go because there was no respect being shown to the E-6's in the division and being the Leading Petty Officer I was constantly being questioned on why I was giving counseling chits to underperforming sailors and that my leadership style was too old school for the new crop of sailors in the division. I knew then that if I were to stay any longer it would just be spinning my wheels and having to justify every single action or decision.
So I think you will know in your gut the best time for you to hang up your hat.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 15 at 2015 2:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:03:05 -0500

How many years do you have under your belt?

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 15 at 2015 2:53 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:53:32 -0500

1SG Private RallyPoint Member Keep going as long as you, your family, your Soldiers, and your superiors find you relevant, forward thinking, and leading. The military is the most honorable of careers and you will know when it is time to retire. The key is to listen to your inner voice, conduct solid self evaluations, and ask yourself am I still making a difference?, if the answer is yes, then your promotions will come, because others will see your dedication, and with promotion comes additional years of service. In the end the decision to retire must be yours.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 3:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 15:46:30 -0500

I say as long as your meeting the standards and not holding up slots, stay in as long as you can.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 29 at 2015 1:53 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:53:43 -0500

As so many sage advisors have Said - if you're not moving up and are holding others back - it's time.

You will reach a day that you will know it's time to leave. It just happens. I always pondered that question as I progressed through the years and didn't know if that day would ever come, but it did and hit me like a ton of bricks.

I recently retired and have found a great job and have moved on. I'm glad that I did.

Response by SSG Andres Guarnizo made Jun 16 at 2016 11:20 PM

SSG Andres Guarnizo — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 23:20:59 -0400

Keep going until your heart isn't in it anymore.

Response by SPC Tony Bucaro made Jun 18 at 2016 1:45 PM

SPC Tony Bucaro — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 13:45:16 -0400

In my opinion .... I wouldn't get out until they dragged me out kicking and screaming!! I would stay in as long as they would let me. Civilian life is not as easy as everyone thinks or says it is. (At least it hasn't been for me!) But you have to do what is right for you.

Response by Capt Seavy Barefoot made Jun 23 at 2016 1:55 PM

Capt Seavy Barefoot — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:55:13 -0400

Post military employment for retired veterans is a challenge in itself. Every year you serve past 20 increases your chances of not being hired. Those reaching 50 years of age are really in an uphill battle. If you exit at 20 , for most somewhere around age 40 to 42 your marketability is still very good. You can wait too long to
retire. Example. Army major, friend of mine with 18 years in serving his last hitch as a ROTC commander and is a highly trained helicopter gunship pilot is offered to leave his post and command a helicopter squadron in Afgan... He thinks this will get him to 30 and general officer rank. He went down range and served another 5 years. He retired as an LCol so the promises didnt pan out. He would have retired an LCol had he not gone away from his family for the last 3 years. He is out now at age 48 and not yet employed. I

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jun 23 at 2016 2:54 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 14:54:59 -0400

For me, it was the day I knew I was no longer making a difference...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 12 at 2016 1:45 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 01:45:43 -0400

Well, have you decided to leave at 20 or go beyond yet?

I realize I'm coming into this conversation very late, but here's my advice that I haven't seen yet in the other comments. You know it's time to retire when it's no longer FUN.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 9:22 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 21:22:38 -0400

You'll know when is best. Your body will tell you. Meanwhile don't worry about the mule going blind, just load the wagon.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 10:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 22:01:50 -0400

Retire when:
You've prepared yourself to successfully transition (education, financially, experience, job market.)
You've done everything you wanted to realistically do in the military.
You don't want to continue doing the things you do.
You're physically unable to continue, and before you're unable to physically do something after you leave service.
In the meantime, decide and act on whether you're going to transition to become a WO or officer, or remain an NCO, and take steps to make it happen.

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 31 at 2018 10:06 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 22:06:51 -0400

When you love it still, but hate reporting for duty each morning. In my case, it was when I was told I was never going to hold a company grade billet again. I refused to be the field grade who was stealing a company grade officer's time in the sun. I had too much of that when I was a company grade officer.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 31 at 2018 10:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 22:10:24 -0400

Stay in if you still like serving.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 1 at 2018 10:59 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 10:59:37 -0400

The sad part of this is recruiting goals aren’t being met and if they are who will have the experience to lead them. Once upon a time the primary concern was performance. I would have loved to stayed in for 30, but an injury cut that short.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 25 at 2018 3:33 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 15:33:52 -0500

Stay in. I got retired with 20 for a civil servive job tha went away just after I retired. I ended up losing not only a good job but a SGM pomotion. I still regret the decision and wished I had statyed until they put me out. You will be leaving a brotherhood that is not there in the Civilian, dog eat dog world. The only bog challenge now is surviving the draw down efforts of the Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2021 9:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 21:40:54 -0400

For me, I have a five year break in service, currently 41 years of age and am privelaged to have made it to SFC. I'm getting out. You have to look at where you wanna be when you are at full retirement age and how much money there is out there in the civilian World to make a comfortable old age chapter in your life as comfortable as possible.