Information gathering

[R.O.A.D.]

Hello to all,

I was directed to this site from The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement. Really wish that i stumbled upon this book several years back. I am an E- 7 in the US Army with just over 4 years until I hit my 20 year mark. The information that I have come across so far has been invaluable!

 

[obgyn65]

Welcome to the forum, Road.

 

[NanoSour]

Welcome, and with 4 years left, I hope you are not ROAD. Little early don't you think?

 

[R.O.A.D.]

Welcome, and with 4 years left, I hope you are not ROAD. Little early don't you think?

No, can't say that I am but it is as clever as I get these days?

 

[heeyy_joe]

Welcome and thank you.

 

[Meadbh]

No, can't say that I am but it is as clever as I get these days?

I'm not military, but does ROAD stand for Retired On Active Duty?

 

[REWahoo]

I'm not military, but does ROAD stand for Retired On Active Duty?

Yes, it does.

 

[R.O.A.D.]

Guess we all have our own definition of ER

Seriously though, I am very content with my current career and am weighing the options/ possibilities of a few more years past my 20 year benchmark. A bridge job is most likely in my future; just depends on what the military has in store for me at the time.

 

[braumeister]

depends on what the military has in store for me at the time.

I think 90% of us had/have that attitude towards the 20 year mark (retired USAF here).

The military can be a good (sometimes great) career for many people, but the options can also be somewhere between lousy and terrible. Good luck, and may your decision be an easy one!

 

[ls99]

Welcome.

IIRC when I was PFC, the E7s and First Sergeants and their buddies were easy find in the afternoons. Just look in the Rod and Gun club on any base.

 

[jclarksnakes]

There was a lot of very important networking going on in those rod and gun clubs. Someone who is really good at the R.O.A.D program can make it work for a decade or more. I have a very good friend who got a short timers attitude around the 15th year of his career and kept it until he retired with 30 years in.

 

[ls99]

Short timer:

When I had 100 days left, bought a Meter rule. Every day sawed off 1 centimeter.

 

[R.O.A.D.]

The military can be a good (sometimes great) career for many people, but the options can also be somewhere between lousy and terrible. Good luck, and may your decision be an easy one!

I find it very reassuring making the decision on my terms with the security of my pension and healthcare lined up. The one thing that I do know for sure is that when I make the transition, anything over a forty hour week is out of the question. Plus if things are going well at the time the xtra year may very well be worth the aditional 2.5%

 

[R.O.A.D.]

When I had 100 days left, bought a Meter rule. Every day sawed off 1 centimeter.

I just might have to steal that idea of yours; will pick up a meter stick during my next trip to the rod and gun club

 

[eytonxav]

Congrats on being a short timer and thank you for your service!