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Without numbers this isn't very useful. This reminds me of when I was at WestPoint (US Military Academy). Everyone would talk about how once you graduated you
by nkh 17y ago
Without numbers this isn't very useful.
This reminds me of when I was at WestPoint (US Military Academy). Everyone would talk about how once you graduated you were "set for life" (after your five year commitment). They would leave it at that, and not mention any numbers to back up the statement. I still remember I asked an officer what "big money" was. And he replied, "Oh, big money!! Like 65,000" Which is less than every single one of my friends and I made after quitting westpoint and getting jobs out of school.
- weaksauce 17y agoIs that just a one time amount or yearly? I know of people that have been in the marines for 20 years and then have a retirement that pays him yearly and also has a job that pays well.
- yters 17y agoThe other part nkh didn't mention is you can retire after 20 at half pay. If you make Lt Col by then (not so hard), that'll be about $45k free yearly income at age 42 for the rest of your life. Plus, it's quite easy to then get a military contracting job. That, with the secret clearance you'll have as an officer, pays pretty nicely.
- weaksauce 17y ago45k is a good chunk of change to have every year for free. That can pay the mortgage in most places pretty easily even in places that are really expensive you only need to work a little bit to cover the mortgage. Is insurance covered as well?
- nkh 17y agoIf you make Lt Col by then (not so hard) I have a lot of friends who stayed at Westpoint, and served at least two tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. They would argue with you over the "not so hard" part of the argument.
- sangaya 17y agoMy fiance's brother has done multiple tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the IED group. From the experiences he's been able to share, "not so hard" could only be written by someone without active duty military experience. I would never want to see the things our soldiers see or have the experiences they do. They do a great service for our country; and honestly, can end up fairly well off if they manage to survive 20 years + land an additional job after retirement at 38+.
- car 17y agoI wonder why you call it "$45k free yearly income", since you would have pissed 20 years of your life away. Not exactly "free".
- kevinpet 17y agoPissed away 20 years of your life making great money? Even as enlisted, if you aren't an idiot or an alcoholic, you should be able to sock away far more savings than private sector counterparts at a similar level of education and ability.
- yters 17y agoThis is true. I know a guy who worked his way up the ranks from enlisted to officer who had saved a million by his mid thirties. He was frugal, but not extremely so.