I'm likely making E-8 this upcoming cycle. To accept, of course you incur the 2 year ADSC, which upon fulfillment, will put me at 21 years TIS. Alternatively, I decline the stripe and retire at 20 as an E-7.
This question is mostly financial driven. I can make 100k+ immediately upon retirement from civilian job offers I'm already currently getting. If I take the stripe ,Rough Southern math puts my high-3 at around $400 extra per month (E7, E8, E8) versus retiring as an E-7.
There's also the reward factor of finally allowing my hard work to be recognized. It's hard to put a price on that, but I also realize that 12 minutes after I retire I'm not gonna care too much about whether I was an E-7 or an E-8, and neither will my family.
Tldr: is 1 extra year worth it for an extra ~$400 / mo in retirement? Opinions please
Another is it worth it thread. Accept E-8, 2 yr ADSC and retire at 21 years?
byu/doogle2d inMilitaryFinance
Posted by doogle2d
4 Comments
A big factor in this decision is whether or not those 100k+ job offers will still be there if you decide to get another rocker. Another consideration is what kind of billet you’ll be looking at if you continue. 12-18+ months of a 1SG position while trying to do BDD, retirement packet, and ETS clearing? Good luck. Ops NCOIC/”SGM” in a kushy BDE+ level HHC where you can have an “appointment” at 1400 every other day and no one bats an eye? Send it.
Financially my napkin math says it’s worth it assuming you keep the job offers, but you have to see how it affects 1. your family’s wellbeing and 2. your mental/physical health.
Cyber will always be there, you could use the final years to get free certs/training while continually looking for the next position.
If the new job will be agreeable to prepping for retirement, then take the promotion you earned. It may not matter to your family two weeks after you retire, but it’ll matter to you in 5 years+ when you reflect back on your career. Go out with no regrets.
I say stay in if you are a Cyber Bubba. You get the extra financial benefits without the ridiculous lifestyle of a BCT. Plus id you are already i. A position or at least doing the work of an E8, you could even just stay where you’re at. Those jobs will be there for you given your field. Use the time to prepare and network.