What motivated you most to make it to retirement?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:05:08 -0500

While there are other questions about motivation, this one relates to actually making it to retirement. What motivated you most? Security? Promotions? Travel? $$$?

Response by PO1 John Pokrzywa made Nov 12 at 2014 11:06 AM

PO1 John Pokrzywa — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:06:33 -0500

False hope for advancement, and mostly loved what I did.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 11:16 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:16:47 -0500

Remember to vote on the Q above--you might win an electronic coin?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Nov 12 at 2014 12:03 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:03:31 -0500

I set two goals for myself:
1. Stay enough to get a retirement. My civilian job at the time had not much for a retirement, so I joined the Army Reserve as I realized I needed more. Even if I don't get to start drawing until I'm 60, that's ok, that was the plan.

2. Get as high up the food chain as possible. I made SGM.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 12 at 2014 12:48 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:48:59 -0500

I always knew I was going to make the military a career. It was reinforced over the years with every veteran that I heard say "I'd be retired now if I would have stayed in and wouldn't have to deal with...." Technically, I didn't make it. I only got to 18.5 years. I was going to be a 30yr man and have the Bradley tattoo to back up my claim. I may have been medically retired, but I had the hardest time dealing with the "I only got to the 1/2 way point" that I kept telling myself. I was making myself crazy. I am greatful for the opportunity to have served, no matter what the amount of time it was.

Response by SSG Peter Ludlum made Nov 12 at 2014 1:04 PM

SSG Peter Ludlum — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:04:43 -0500

I had to give back what the Army gave me when I joined. Hopefully I influenced a troop or two.

Response by TSgt Mark Vaughn made Nov 12 at 2014 1:42 PM

TSgt Mark Vaughn — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:42:04 -0500

Service! I am fortunate enough to have a family tree that goes all the way back to the Revolutionary War, almost all of our family served in the enlisted ranks with the Exception of General Vaughn who served with General Patton during WWII. It was a long history of military members in my family. I always wanted to serve but wasn't sure that I would go in for a career, I enlisted for 4 years and the first 4 years went so fast I enlisted for 6. By the time I hit my 10 year mark I was so engrossed in my role as a military member that I just knew at that point that I was in for at least 20. When I hit my 17 year mark things changed, I had just returned from my 2nd remote and the Air Force had changed just way too much for me to acclimate myself to. When it got to the point that military tradition, the sense that being a member of the military was not much more than working for a glorified public business and Airmen started coming into the military and even with 1 stripe were mouthing off to their supervisors and senior enlisted members I knew it was time to go. I still had 2 years left on my enlistment when I hit 20 but I punched out because I was frustrated in what the military had become. No longer were we our own self sustaining entity but just a "Job" for kids who didn't want anything but training for a civilian career. I miss the days when each base was it's own self sustaining city. Where we had separation between ranks, Airman's Clubs, NCO Clubs and Officers Clubs. It was more advantageous for us to shop the Commissary and BX/PX/NEX than going to Wal-Mart or some other food / department store. When you felt you were something special. Yes I punched at 20 years an a week and retired on the most fitting day I could think of..April Fools Day. I miss what the military was, and even though some things have changed for the better (Quality of life), it's not the military I was brought up in nor served in.

Response by LTC Paul Mullins made Nov 12 at 2014 1:59 PM

LTC Paul Mullins — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:59:19 -0500

I enjoyed what I did and what I could contribute. Joined 28 years ago with the desire to do 30, and I used to say they would have to kill me or kick me out, I have made it past that feeling. lol I had family that served as role models and were career active Army and National Guard that I believe influenced me a lot. By 8 years old this is what I primarily wanted to do!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Nov 12 at 2014 3:03 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:03:26 -0500

Three Simple Words: Duty, Honor and Country first and foremost. Secondly security of a stable job. Lastly would be the benefits from ACS,education and travel/friendship to go 25 years and 3 days to the finishline

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 12 at 2014 3:21 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:21:08 -0500

Family tradition, sense of service and the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed what I was doing almost every day of my career. Could not imagine wanting to do anything else.

That, coupled with a loving and supportive "perfect Army spouse" and great sons who wanted to do the same thing, made me never question the fact that I was going to stay in for the long haul.

No regrets at all ... Would certainly do it all over again.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Nov 12 at 2014 3:56 PM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:56:35 -0500

I am not going to blow smoke. I was a Young Dumb 17 year old kid going nowhere fast. My Mom and Dad had divorced and I guess I pretty much didn’t care about anything. US Army gave me a way out and it was there I really grew up. Lifelong friendships came to me during this time, a marriage and babies. My wife convinced me to get out and move back home so she could finish Nursing school. She graduated less than a Year later and joined the Navy, I wanted to get back into the Army but was so afraid to be stationed away from her so I joined the Marines (as well as the Army was not taking Prior enlisted that had a DUI). Throughout the years we were stationed mostly on the same bases and overseas as well. My main reason for staying in and retiring was I really liked my job and family stability.
If I had it to do again I would have stayed in the Army, Being Airborne is one of the personal best things in my life. But I am glad that the path led me the way it did, the retirement is pretty good as well as the Med insurance and most of the people I served with are without a doubt , the Best!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 6:33 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:33:52 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, for me it was partially the financial security, but a much more important factor was the fact that I just continued to soldier on day after day and year after year. I think that was kind of drilled into me throughout my Army career. Instead of Nike's "Just do it," my motto was "Just keep doing it." And before I knew it, I was at 30 years and it was time to go.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 12 at 2014 10:15 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:15:32 -0500

When I first joined out of school, I was going to do my three years and that was it. Did my three years and got out. Was out about 8 months and got the blue western union telegram that told me that I was recalled for Operation Desert Storm. Got out again and had a successful time as a R&D Designer. Economy in Michigan went to crap, and joined 16 years later (the year I would of retired had I stayed in the first time). I completely decided I would stay this time until I retired, but my body did not agree as I am going through a MEB now.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 10:17 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:17:17 -0500

Some jacka$$ E-7 that swore he was gonna run me out of his Navy........ On the anniversary of that comment I made a point of finding him and letting him know it wasn't just HIS Navy......

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 12:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:14:46 -0500

I want to be able to wear a 'mustache like yours!!

But honestly, I will not get much of a retirement package with my civilian occupation. I am staying for that retirement benefit

Response by CSM David Heidke made Nov 19 at 2014 9:09 AM

CSM David Heidke — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:09:55 -0500

I was having a lot of fun, and I looked for other fun, diverse, and challenging positions.

Before you know it, I got a 20 year letter in the mail.

Now? Well... I like my military life better than my business life. I'm not ready to give it up, and it's my only pension.

Response by SFC Stephen Hester made Apr 10 at 2015 8:25 PM

SFC Stephen Hester — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 20:25:13 -0400

Job security was a big part of it. I always wanted a career in the military but I wasn't motivated so much by the retirement check as I was just being in uniform. The check is nice though!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 10 at 2015 9:41 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:41:30 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member DUTY HONOR COUNTRY! Priceless to have pushed and make retirement serving my Nation colors.

Response by SFC James Verdejo made Apr 11 at 2015 9:39 AM

SFC James Verdejo — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 09:39:42 -0400

Well when I first joined in 81, all I thought about was making CSM by 20yrs then retiring. After ny 2nd reenlistment at 6yrs, I just wanted to serve till I couldn't anymore. I enjoyed it that much. Even up to the day of my retirement 35yrs later I loved it. But there comes a time when you have to LIVE and at 51, I'm gonna do that. I dont think your only thought should be making it to retirement, do the best that you can, be the best that you can be, and the years will fly by . The hard part is ending something you enjoy so much.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 12 at 2015 11:32 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 11:32:21 -0400

Nothing. I stayed because I could think of nothing I would rather do... I loved being a Soldier on a day to day level, and because it mattered. I retired, because it is young man's/woman's game, and it was time.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 7:49 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 07:49:45 -0400

Promotion

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Apr 22 at 2015 12:49 PM

SMSgt Bryan Raines — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:49:43 -0400

I did 27 years enlisted Air Force. I joined for financial reasons and stayed because I loved serving my country. I decided that I was going to stay in as long as I felt I could contribute to the mission and make a difference. I got to that point and retired. Now I work for the American Red Cross as a Service to The Armed Forces Specialist and I still get to help active duty and veterans.