Definitely noticed this as well. For example, take what active duty members will do with their 80k-90k tax exempt reenlistment bonuses while deployed. Very few seem to talk about saving it, and typically the largest portion (or most of it) will go to a nice new car.
On the other hand, it is not like most of these people are not thinking about retirement. Many plan to do 20+ years active duty, retire with a pension, enter federal service and retire completely with another pension. A military pension, FERS pension, and social security ( I think they would get this too, but I'm not entirely sure how all the red tape works in this situation) at 65 will still leave these people in decent financial shape during retirement absent of any other savings. Of course, if they were to also save in the TSP throughout this long career, they could have a substantial amount of income in retirement.
On the other hand, it is not like most of these people are not thinking about retirement. Many plan to do 20+ years active duty, retire with a pension, enter federal service and retire completely with another pension. A military pension, FERS pension, and social security ( I think they would get this too, but I'm not entirely sure how all the red tape works in this situation) at 65 will still leave these people in decent financial shape during retirement absent of any other savings. Of course, if they were to also save in the TSP throughout this long career, they could have a substantial amount of income in retirement.