What is considered a respectable rank upon retirement? How do you feel about RCP?

I'm not sure I understand your question, if you mean do I speak with them about why they carry themselves the way they do, about why they do 60% on their APFT and stop, why they constantly use profanity around the workplace, or use tobacco products around Soldiers (trainees), I do indeed however it comes back around to "I'm on my way out Sarge..." I am not the only one to see this, the chain of command seems to have no issue with it. I in no way meant to call any one to retire as Staff Sergeant/Sergeant (previously) I only have an issue with those that get in the "I'm done" mentality when they still have years left.

Not sure how it is these days as I was retired in 2000, but when I first joined, I met a 20-yr SGT. He was happy with his career, satisfied with what he had accomplished as a mechanic. Since he had joined in 1970, retiring in 1990, we have no idea of his background prior to joining. He was happy, I was happy for him as I had just made SPC at 14 months TIS from PVT. As circumstances came to be, my PLT SGT had been a 10-yr SSG due to the old SQT points. Where am I going with this, as a simple and uneducated man from Idaho, he was extremely smart with his 136 GT score, but didn't have time to attend college during the non-internet educational system during the Cold War era. He could not get promoted to SFC like many others in our field as they were at the time only promoting 1 or 2 SSGs per year during the 80's in our old MOS which no longer exists. If you take that in, at some point in time, it kind of takes its toll on you - being the senior SSG in your career field! He hung around and a few years later retired as a MSG at 24-yrs. Every situation is different. Some give up for personal reasons. Hell, I was being medically retired at 8.5 yrs and was eligible for promotion to SSG on the way out the door. Being of morale beliefs, I chose to sign a dec, so as to remain a SGT until I was boarded out, thinking I would be holding-up some fast burners career to CSM. In hindsight, no one thought to pull me aside to explain that had I been promoted, I wouldn't have affected anyone! So having listed a few different scenarios, note that every individuals career paths are their own making or the system can and will hold them back, and sometimes we lose excellent troops. Yes, you will have lazy NCOs and hard chargers. Would recommend you simply let the chain of command assume the responsibility. You voiced your opinions. Work on making 7, and let'em retire. Once you make CSM and are in a position to evaluate the rules and guidance, work on them to correct the loopholes you saw during your career path of the future deadbeats!

When I returned from Vietnam in 1968 I met a Corporal with 28 years in service (all active). I asked him why he was still a corporal, he said he was happy as a Corporal and if he made Sgt he would be put in charge of something and he didn't want it. I retired as a Msg with 25 years and was happy with that. I have always thought if a soldier was good at is job, and happy at his grade why let him go?

MSG Greg Borka - My first tank gunner retired as an E-5. He always had a good attitude.

wise words SFC Carey. Our lives are only as important as those we impact.

If you can't put your whole heart into it anymore, not only will it stop being fun but it will leave a bad taste in the mouth of your troops. Great input!

TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan I had fun even after I retired. I would have stayed longer, but at 30, I knew it was time. Still miss the people and the Sea, but my knees do not!

I agree. If it stops being fun, then find something new. Although I made an exception - went out with 21+ so that my family would stay together in a town we liked. It was a wild fun ride to 21+ but never regretted leaving it. Like Popeye said, I yam what I yam"