Dan Hicks writes:

Subject: Military Retrirement

Katie, I was just doing some surfing and found your post. I'm an active duty member with the Air Force with over 14 years of service. I think a couple of points you may want to consider have not been addressed. The percentage of pay is based only on a person's "base" pay. This pay for me is only $3,000/month. That still seems nice to have an extra $1,500/month when I retire, but the retirement isn't close to being able to live on this income. So an "early" retirement doesn't really say it right. How about receiving a supplemental income and more importantly reduced health care costs. The health care is based on over 90% of the military retirees I know have been "broke" when they retire. I'm police, so our career field may be a little more physically demanding than others, but the Army and Marines have many more stressors than ours. Also, you may have to consider why the government wants us to retire at 20 to 30 years. We are paid to fight wars. You don't fight wars when you're past your prime. I'm "old" for the military at 35 years old. This is in your prime in the outside world. Consider a 50 year old man trying to "take the hill." We only serve the limited time, because we are ineffective to war after so long. Just a couple of thoughts to add to your post.

Dan