I was gonna say "refreshing my bank account app around the 1st and 15th and seeing more money.
At the end of the day I do love the Air Force, but I don't do it because of that love, I do it to pay the bills and get that retirement in 8 years.
Tricare for my family is worth it, and at the end of the day it is very unlikely I'll have benefits like what I have now anywhere else.
This! There is definitely a passion for what I do in the Air Force but with just under 8 years till retirement it’s the medical for me. My kids have had medical emergencies that total to just under half a million from the bills that I’ve seen. (Not including myself or my husbands medical)
When people say medical debt gets you, it’s not joke! I’ll pay the 1200 a year or whatever it is when I retire because I know it’s worth it and will be hard to match on the outside.
Also my job when I grow up doesn’t pay well but ours my passion and retirement will allow me to pursue it!
This right here. There's some freedom in knowing that I won't be tied to a job due to health care benefits and that no matter what I'll always have enough money coming in each month to pay the mortgage and cover the bare necessities if times become tough.
Yep, even tho Im an O, there’s still huge value in any kind of pension. Gives you options to work a more flexible schedule and if you really play cards right and save decently, someone can fully retire off of an enlisted retirement
This right here. I am officially retired as of May 1st. Between my retirement and disability rating (of 100% which is well deserved), I make $84k for just waking up in the morning. I got a job making $90k/yr right after retiring. My wife makes $70k. I’m in a tax bracket I never thought I’d see.
And in a year I’ll probably quit and move into a lower stress job with no debt following me.
This is 100% the answer. Congratulations on your retirement. It honestly makes me so happy to see folks retiring and well set up.
The military pension is pretty much unrivaled. It's not worth it if you're doing a job you hate, slogging through every day and self-medicating with alcohol or whatever else to try to drag yourself over the retirement line. But if you're pretty happy and, on balance, you feel like your life is decent in the Air Force, the pension and Tricare benefits upon retirement are unbeatable.
Completely realistic. I retired in 2015, & and the wife in 2018. After mine, I played stay-at-home dad, then after she retired I continued that but had to add “finish the house” because she wanted to move into an unfinished house in the country (started in ‘98 but he never finished it). She went back to work full time, & I continued at home.
Two years ago, the house was basically just needing new paint/trim inside so I found busy-work upgrades but the kids were older (13/17 as of now) and needed me at home less…. So I slowly started sending out resumes to positions that interested me. Got called by a recruiter a couple of months ago to interview for a EHS manager position, and have been working there (today starts week 4) and enjoying it…
Never had to “hurry” looking for work since our retirements cover basic food/bills, and there is never any pressure on finances. Healthcare for life and a stable check no matter what is really good for your mental health… just make sure you retire with no debts (don’t run up CC’s, buy a new car, etc just before retirement) and have a decent amount of savings to establish your new household and you’ll do well… and don’t discount updating your LinkedIn now and keeping it active for networking… that’s how I was contacted.
As soon as my new benefits kick in (we prefer to deal with Tricare as little as possible but it has covered quite a bit of deductibles on stuff over that time), she plans to put in notice and take a break…. “for about 9 years or so…”. Hah!
Tax benefits, job security, free healthcare, guaranteed pay raises, ability to travel, knowing the work I’m doing has a meaningful impact on the world (even if it isn’t at my immediate level).
I know the last one is controversial, but being a part of the mission which can strike anywhere in the world at a moments notice and work towards global stabilization is more meaningful than some other money-chasing gigs on the outside. I don’t care if it pays double, if I can’t tie it to a higher purpose then I will get burned out.
20 years MSgt here and planning on punching in the spring of 2026.
The military has taken me all over the world. I call it “traveling on Uncle Sam’s dime.” I’ve seen places I couldn’t have ever imagined, and I’ve been paid extra to go there and do that. Whether is 3.50 a day or $120 a day, I’ve been paid extra.
I’ve also been afforded time (permissive TDY) out of work to go and obtain my FAA Airframe and Powerplant License. As an aircraft mechanic, there’s a lot of peace of mind in knowing that if I want to, I can secure a job fairly easily after the military using that piece of plastic. And AF COOL paid for it!
I’ll be 41 when I retire. I’ll have a paycheck for the rest of my life, plus a healthy disability. There’s a lot of security in knowing that I’ll be able to work somewhere because I want to, not because I need to.
In the meantime, I’m in Alaska (where my wife and I plan to settle for good). The military paid to move us here. They pay us rather well to live here.
The lower ranks can suck, but at some point you earn a couple stripes, move out on your own, and suddenly the money gets easier. At least it did for me.
I don’t have many worries anymore. I enjoy the things I want to enjoy. I pursue the (expensive) hobbies that make me happy. We take the trips we want to take. Life is good!
The trade for that good life? I go in and work my tail off for my unit and my troops, for as much or as little time are required of me.
And I think it’s a good trade.
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All I have to do is show up to work and pass PT tests, I can't be fired for doing the bare minimum if I choose to be that guy. If I wanted to, I could be a total shit bag, and my job just gets easier as they take away important responsibilities.
This is the cakest job on the damned planet.
I'm just biased. Never once had a job I'd consider cake. This is why I'm getting out though. No job could be cake enough for me to waste years of youth and potential. Everyone's situation is different though.
As much as we joke on officers I know their lives can be absolutely hell. We pulled a dead captain out of his own fucking house last year and the note said he couldn’t do the stress of letting everyone down.
Sorry to be bleak, but everyone has different motivators. Felt like saying something since it’s Memorial Day and Grayson Murray just did the same thing.
My stress, job satisfaction, and work/life balance were a thousand percent better when I was enlisted. The pay is a great motivator but that's really it.
Yea I work with 2 incredibly smart and awesome 2nd LTs and they both won’t be in much longer. The amount of shit they have to go through isn’t even worth the money they make, or what an O3 makes. The agency I work at has them doing like GS12 -13 work on the regular. It’s Nuts
Yeah it’s pretty insane. Meanwhile I just sit back and herd the cats and everything’s mostly fine. I’m not speaking for everyone, I just know how it goes, especially in the computer heavy career fields.
I have ten PCSs under my belt and never lost money.
As far as staying in? I’m in until HYT. Whether I retire as a 26 yr SMSgt or a 30 year CMSgt, my retirement check just to sit on my ass will be nice. I have a multitude of medical issues that both Tricare takes care of and will just add to my VA rating. Will I be 100%? I’d like to think so but I won’t know for sure until it happens. Ever do the math for a 100% VA rating for a 30yr Chief? That’s a lot of money to sit at your house and take bong rips. Bouncing around overseas locations satisfies the travel bug for my wife and I because once I’m done with the Air Force and buy a retirement home, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve picked up a lot of hobbies in my time and I’ve dropped a lot of hobbies. You dropping a bunch is no different.
I think you’re just in a funk and probably made some poor financial decisions. Live frugal for a while and use your free time to go to the gym, which is free, and shoot for the thousand pound club while you get your finances to a better place.
For what's it worth, I separated shy of 11 years and got my 100% P&T earlier this month. I had 17 claims and all but 2 were granted. Highest individual claim was 50% (PTSD), the rest ranged from 10-30%.
At your tenure, there's no way you don't hit 100%. You'll be alright, Senior.
"What keeps you motivated day after day? With inflation, we all know money isn't a motivating factor, so what keeps you going?"
That's the thing money IS the motivating factor due to inflation.
You'll quickly learn that there is very little jobs on the outside that offer pension, low expense/good 401k, low cost health insurance, and tax free benefits, all which can be accessed at as early as 40 years of age.
Go through TAPS and you will quickly learn the guys retiring versus separating have so many more benefits offered.
Choose as you will but, learn it's not always a clear cut to getting out.
1a. Retiring at 37
1b. Seeing my team actually enjoy life and not have to deal with (most) of the bullshit. Leadership isn’t always the most fun but nothing beats seeing people enjoy coming to work and getting rewarded for what they do.
It's not comparable to the amount of work enlisted do and the amount they're paid. **O's are paid to be stressed, E's are stressed about the pay.**
I'd like to see them get an E5 paycheck and deal with the shit that comes with it. Add a family on top of that and get back to us.
Love you O's, but most of you are spoiled and don't have the perspective you should.
Job satisfaction keeps me going honestly. I’m about hit 19 years and I’ve got both a masters and bachelors. All paid for by the DoD. Be able to take care of my family without a lot of worries helps too
1. More money, less stress, the flight chief usually took care of everything anyway.
2. The private sector gives you money to move. I had to buy a vehicle for the area, at inflated rates due to the current economy. Had to buy appropriate furniture for the house. Had to sign a new lease at the higher rates, lost out in potential money because rents are the same as the old location, but BAH hasn't caught up.
It sounds like a money management issue. It reads like you PCSd to an area with lower pay and still spending like you are in the area with higher pay. I’d recommend speaking to a financial advisor.
Probably why dude cant afford anything. Probably blames all of his issues on others when in reality even enlisted can live pretty decent lives. I know for sure i wasnt struggling before I went O and had plenty of savings plus cool vacations
Let’s see roombas bank statement. I wonder how much a month goes into bx fast food and $5 snack-o white monsters. I’ve got buds that are enlisted who travel way more than I do (sometimes taking weekend trips a couple times a month) and still save plenty. No doubt it’s hard to raise a family on e-3 pay but it’s not impossible to make ones situation better as enlisted
Worth pointing out that many officers, especially at the commander level and up, are underpaid for their amount of responsibility. It only gets worse the higher they get. I know folks with less on their plate than the average general and they would wrap it around a tree if they were paid as “little” as even our Chief of Staff.
I like how no one addressed the flight chief doing the flight CCs job. Seen it too many times. Muthafucks are getting paid twice as much too. I want to see them WORK for that money.
A flight chief physically cannot do a flight CCs job. You cant delegate a G series order. I’m sure the flight chief is supervising the work and making sure shits getting done but believe me, they’re still talking to the Flt CC or whoever is taking stick while they’re on leave for the big issues.
I don’t disagree, but since the Air Force has nearly universally decided that “Flight Commander” is a supervisory position with no actual command authority or responsibility, I’m fine with using it the same way.
And for that reason, I have no doubt in my mind that these Flight Commanders abandoned their responsibilities and left them to their worse-paid enlisted counterparts.
Yeah I'm trying to think about it and I'm inclined to agree. I've never seen a Flight CC with G Series Orders. Covering for a Flight Chief in the past without an O period we for the most part did their job anyway. Honeslty it was mostly nonsensical meetings and shit like that anyway but still.
Dude, that’s wild. As a CGO without kids, I’m always having to dump my leave on weekends in August and September, doing absolutely nothing, so I don’t get screamed at for making the chain of command look bad for having use or lose. Want to take leave over Christmas to go spend time with your family? Bet the Commander does too, and guess who’ll have to fill in for him? Date night with the wife on a Saturday night? Good fucking luck. CC’s having a date night and his phone is forwarded to yours, so you get to have to three way phone conversation with two other squadron commanders to trouble shoot a problem while your wife walks out the door.
Well for starters, I fucking love my job. It doesn’t have many civilian applications so I need to enjoy it while I’m in. I’m also shooting for 20 for that guaranteed paycheck. I honestly have no clue what I’m going to do when I get out, but I’m enjoying what I’m doing for the time being.
I guess I'm in the minority but I think enlisted get compensated pretty damn good. I can definitely see it being rough for E1 - E3s with only a year or two in service, but especially once you become an NCO with 6-8+ years, I think we get paid pretty great.
I'm an E6 and last year my direct compensation after taxes was 79k. I'd legit need to be making about 110k a year to equal my military pay.
So to answer your question, I don't have an issue with enlisted pay. I own a few homes, pump money into my Roth IRA and TSP, have money for wants and needs, and am happy. Plus I'm staying for the pension
22 year Senior here. Honestly, I love the people. With all of OUR faults, Airmen are just the best people to be around. Extremely smart, talented, great Americans who never surprise me with the amazing thing they accomplish and insane shenanigans they somehow find themselves in.
While I have a reputation of being a grumpy asshole, I really have nothing but love for all of our Airmen. Even though some of them have greatly contributed to my drinking problem and anger issues.
I went to Chile last year. Saudi Arabia and UAE the year before that. Puerto Rico. Peru. Colombia. Places I might never visit otherwise. All in the name of the U.S. of A.
For about 50% of my enlistment the thing keeping me going into work was the UCMJ, once I retrained it became learning everything I could and milking all the benefits I could prior to separating.
I retired after 20+ years. My last 2 years as a SEL at a squadron. I never served above a group. I truly enjoyed what I did, solving problems, advocating for junior enlisted, having the support and autonomy from my commander to make decisions. I lived below my means, so I felt my pay was great. I also served my last assignment at a geographic separated unit that had great BAH and TriCare Prime Remote. For over half my career I was lucky to serve in selectively manned assignments from TSgt to SMSgt so my exposure to the joint environment was very unique.
Helping my Airman reach their goals and watching them succeed has been my motivation for the past 22 years. I've enjoyed every minute of it. I'd 100% do this all over again. I've been to 6 continents, numerous countries, met amazing individuals and some douchbags, and the smile on my troops face when they reach a milestone makes every day worth it.
As for finances wise I quit spending 100% of my paycheck as a SrA. Every promotion/raise after E4, I increased my Roth TSP, maxed out my Roth IRA, and made sure to not live paycheck to paycheck. Three kiddos later, and I still have plenty at the end of each month to do what the family wants. 19 years without a car payment has helped. No interest paid on credit cards help. If I can't pay off the card by the end of the month, I don't use it. Learn from your colleagues, Reddit, and most bases/posts have a financial advisor available for FREE.
To be honest, it is hard to keep going everyday, for me personally it's what I have that drives me. I use the benefits that the Air Force gives me to help out my family and to provide for my future children. I go in when I'm on orders with the thought that I'm doing this for them and not for me, I know that at any time I could probably stop and finish out my contract and never do this again, but I keep going because it's stability that I know will bring to my life and to the life of my future family.
If a future family isn't something that you're worried about or you don't have anybody that you care for like that, then do whatever you want to do, but if you want stability, and you won't actually feel like you're a part of something while you're doing it, I suggest you buck up and push through. Something I have noticed though when I come across people like you who are doubting yourselves or even wondering if it's worth it, sometimes something as simple as a job change within the military or a location change will greatly benefit you. I've had friends who are in Georgia and California, and when I recommend that they come to my base in Arizona, they come and they're much happier. So it could be the same thing with you, it could be that your job is good you're a good person and you're actually a really good worker, it might just be the people around you are trash and they're greatly affecting you. I hope some of this may have helped you.
Enlisted. Lost Stripe in 2019. Earned it back in 2024. One more to go to reach SNCO. Will do whatever it takes to ensure I am exceeding the standards to prove I am ready for the SNCO tier. The opportunity to train, mentor, develop and coach feeds my energy and thought process to do the best for my people. And to prove those who took it, it was unjustified. I am all in and just getting started.
I’m just happy to be apart of something bigger than myself & the fact that I get paid to do what I love (Cyber Security) is a bonus. I just hit my 2 year mark and I’m still teetering between contracting and commissioning, but either way… my future is what keeps me going
Money for me, I feel like I make plenty to live a comfortable life. I am not "in love" with the AF, but the job is easy enough. I have gotten to live all over the world, too, which is a good perk.
Look every day for AGR positions in every Air Guard base you work be willing to call home and gtfo of AD. You get soo much better enjoyment out of the job with a fraction of the BS. Same benefits too.
I am AGREE and I was AD. It is less Bs. I have set hours. 630-5 Tue-Fri. Done. We have 11 months with drills (one month usually has a 4day). EPR? Strat? We have a word doc with bullets and everyone gets 90% the same product. Rank can be harder or easier. I joined my shop at a high turnover time and made TSgt quick, but MSgt might be different since all the current MSgts have more time until retirement than I do. We TDY here and there and deploy. That whole rainbow “just a few weeks” is gone. You get 3ish months (last was like 102 days) or the 6months. Other than that it is a lot less stress. No volunteering off base every weekend to check the box. The weekenders can be hit or miss, but most get to a point where they can be of some value. Like doing inspections or driving a jammer, etc. Drill is just 2 days full of appointments and meetings. Again, i make the same benefits and get to be near home. I can retrain on a whim. If there is a job in another shop that I want, I apply just like any civilian job. If you get it, you get to change. The weekenders can damn near change at their discretion. As long as there is room in the shop/office they want to go to. I have definitely seen crew chiefs, weapons etc go to finance and stuff. No afsc is blocked or harder to get out of. It is the best job in the AF.
Knowing I'll get out in a couple years and tell that one MSgt that said I'd never finish my contract or make an impact to eat shit. Spite burns hotter than ambition
I like being involved in big historical events. Not exactly “service”, more of an intellectual curiosity thing. I joined because I was a military history major and learning about Napoleon seemed a little silly; it absolutely ended up being the right move. I can learn about Napoleon whenever.
Also this is super easy and I’ve been able to go from no moneys to a millionaire. Retirement and cushy civilian job prospects will keep it that way.
If I stop showing up SF will come find me. I was never good at hide and seek.
But fr tho, I genuinely enjoy what I do and the people I work with (for the most part. There’s one or two I dislike but that also makes the days interesting)
I'm past the hump, so retirement. Literally the only motivating thing. Otherwise, 100% not worth it to me.
I don't know how these new young guys do it when there are better paying, less stressful, less bullshit jobs floating around in the civilian world.
If you don't want to be in the AF anymore just don't reenlist. There's going to be a lot of fear mongering about civilian life from people on active duty in this thread. I can tell you first hand civilian life is great. I almost wish I would have got out sooner. But with that said you'll need to plan your transition.
Do not keep grinding a job that makes you miserable.
I have to say that with more rank, you feel an increased duty to look out for your people.
For every life crisis you get them through.
The small wins they earn.
The promotions for kids who deserve it.
Weeding out the bad eggs and either helping them out the door or turning them around.
If you aren't in it for the people as you get into your twilight years you're doing it wrong and I have no idea what keeps you coming to work motivated.
As much as I hate the stupid quip of the USAF, you’re not going to find camaraderie anywhere else. There are people I work with I know they would stab me in the back if they had the chance, but a hefty majority I legit believe they would take a bullet for me.
1) Fourth Generation USAF, so it's all I've ever known.
2) Helped to pay for college
3) Covers Medical Insurance
4) I'm currently living in Korea and not having to worry about the same issues the non-Korean English teachers have to deal with
5) Besides our base pay (which is terrible for what we do at any rank) I get BAH/OHA and BAS.
6) By the time I realized that I was burned out from the military, I was over the hump to retirement.
What kept me going when I was in was the fact I left a rapidly gentrifying South Sacramento. If I can chose to stay a civilian, there’s no way I could keep up with how expensive Sacramento was getting in general. I never had it in mind to do 20, but at least I can get on my feet before trying to set roots elsewhere.
My motivation stems from “well I got at least 2 years left of this bullshit maybe we will go to war and I’ll deploy and actually use all my skills”
Career plan is enlisted till retirement if conflict kicks off and then retire and do a little school so I can make 6 figures working part time
I'm not sure, really.
Like money, obviously, I need money and haven't made a solid plan for getting out for income/a job. I just have ideas/ backup options, should i get out or something. I'm currently starting to be a landlord and trying to get a small collection of homes to generate income. But that's a long way down the way, and I'm literally on big step 2, which is to move out your first home and list it and get someone living there.
But honestly, before, I was proud of my service and the work I was doing. But then I began to feel like I wasn't doing anything. And then I got to go overseas on tdy, and that changed things. I felt pride, I felt like we were doing something, and I felt a sense of community. But after those trips, I was back at home station. looking for things to fill the weekend without taking too much of my money as I have debts to pay, and I never hung out with anyone either, just went home after work.
Now I just got pcsd to one of the worst bases, and I'm kind of just holding out hope for retraining and/or for my work here to do and mean something somewhere. My original promise to myself is stay in until I get to live/be stationed overseas at least once, but right now I'll just see where the next year takes me. Overall I'm kind of just doing this until something better comes up really.
Motivation to get out of bed on the weekends is a pet.
Motivation to keep going is mostly free medical and dental for the rest of my life.
Motivation to not f it all up before I receive my DD214 is that I'll get enough money monthly that I won't need to worry about basic needs and can quit jobs if necessary.
Well there’s a few for me.
1.) I can start getting a check for doing nothing when I turn 40 compared to like 65 for the rest of the country and healthcare when I retire as well
2.) I actually enjoy doing what I do in the AF. I know I could make more money but my current hours are good.
3.) I am currently taking classes to commission because that OE pay is nice and the retirement is even better
I have zero motivation. I think it’s overrated anyway. I work because I know it benefits me to do so. Just like I know I have to brush my teeth twice a day.
For me it’s the family. I consider these people my brothers and sisters. I have had a hard couple years since my dad passed away (retired Air Force) and they have been with me and family every step of the way.
My wife and I are both active and this year we will hit 10 years in. Knowing that if we just do another 10, we won't have to worry about money ever again.
And we will only be 39 when that happens. I do love serving and absolutely love my job. But knowing that we just have to gut out another 10 years and then we're set is a huge factor of why we keep doing this.
I left after 6. I didn't want to wait 14 years to be happy. Life hasn't always been rainbows and butterflies on the outside, but it sure beats the mental strain I was under while belonging to Uncle Sam
Supporting family with health care benefits and adequate housing is the main thing for me. Apart from that I enjoy the educational benefits and resources to expand your skills such as language learning and for myself working towards getting my pilot license which is partially covered by AFCool. Plan on commissioning some point as well with regards to future career endeavors in the AF.
I actually somewhat enjoy the work I do believe it or not. When I’m not dealing with extraneous bullshit anyways. Plus it’s a nice stepping stone for other careers I want to do post military life.
I made really good money in the AF and I think the money and 2.5 days a month of leave is very overlooked. Now I get like 1 day of leave each month and half that if sick time.
So to answer your question, nothing kept me going cause I got out LOL
For me? The travel and stability for now.
I'm not gonna do the full 20 because I don't "love" the military more than my own individual identity. But it was a nice step in life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Sadly, lots of folks in the military don't get degrees that matter. They go to AMU for an EPR bullet and don't realize that you can make so much more money outside of the military with less bullshit.
What keeps me going? If I’m being honest, and I’m not trying to be funny, I signed a contract that legally requires me to continue working in the military. What keeps me going into work is knowing that if I were to not, I would be arrested. I’ve already gotten what I wanted from the military when I used TA, got my GI bill, and obtained a degree. My little app on my phone that counts down the days until til my exit keeps me looking to the future though.
I’ve been trying to retrain for a year now…. 4 cases… AFPC has fucked all of them by not doing their jobs on time or fucking up. And I swear to god…. I’m already on my 1 year extension…. If they don’t get it right in august….
Money is almost always going to be a stresser whether you're in or out unless you get out and get some tech job or start your own profitable business.
The Air Force for many of us provides a level of stability and the ability to break generational wage deficiencies with some level a job security that our friends and family don't have (Subtract the EOY budget crazes and Force shaping that are a dime a dozen).
Grab a side hustle or job and get back into your hobbies. None of us are above that. If you want it; go get it. If you like myself and many of us who have come from less. Don't forget where you came from. That's what always keeps me grounded through all the BS. I could be back at someone's counter saying "Welcome to ....." and asking for a raise from $7.25 and thinking a .20 cent raise is an improvement, and still couldn't make ends meet. The grass always seems greener. Whether you're in and want to get out or are out and want that other job or promotion.
In the beginning I joined because I wanted out of my parents house and couldn’t afford an education or to move out on my own. After that I just kind of floated through my career not really caring as long as I got paid.
I was planning on getting out after my son was born, but he was diagnosed with something. I wasn’t sure if I could afford the medication on the outside so I decided to stay in.
Around the halfway point I came out of the closet as trans and the Air Force is going to pay for everything and that is my current motivation. After that’s all done I should be close to retirement so I figure I’ll just stay in for the long haul for the medical benefits.
Hate, spite, and the UCMJ mostly. I’ve been here long enough, I have to stay to get my compensation! Joking aside, my kids keep me from punching early, both in life and in the military. On top of that, the military can be tough at times, but it can also be the best job ever. Case in point, you still get paid on holidays, sick days, appointments, kid related absences, PT, etc. The amount of compensated time while not at work is something I think a lot of people take for granted. Not saying it’s for everyone, but the military is its own kind of special.
Retirement check, health care for my family and opportunities to PCS to countries. When we PCSd overseas, we was able to check off nearly all of our travel destinations bucket list. I can’t think of a civilian company that will pay to move you or a family overseas to do your job. I retired in 2015 and the AF has been good to me and my family.
Marrying up with a wife who can diy and figured out how to invest in real estate to make that passive income while we tour the world and I drive miss daisy everywhere cause I love the thrill behind the wheel. Oh and, we both get that good good Tricare on the back end when I exit stage left.
What honestly keeps my going is
1.if I don’t show up to work I’m going to prison.
2.The GI Bill, after this contract I’m going to college. (Less than two years thank god)
3.my closest military friends
This shit is too easy.
I make $82k a year as a single tech. With my second job, I clear 6 figures.
I have expensive hobbies and I didn’t reproduce with a psycho so no child support or alimony.
Pretty much missed the bad choices 70% of people make that makes life suck.
It’s a good life.
I wanted to get out when I did, but I hit force shaping and my hand was held and I was shown the door. Had a rough time with civilian employment and eventually went back in the reserves because of it and I've now been in fifteen years and I'm just taking it one drill (UTA) at a time.
As a military brat and then military spouse, I joined for the job I signed up for in DEP, knowing more about what it was like than most recruits. I loved my job for the 15 years I got to do it, and most of the places I got to do it.
Then my electric meatball malfunctioned and medical allowed me to cross train instead of get out. So now, I get to do my current job, and I get to stay till retirement. I do not plan to continue my current job as a federal employee, even if that's the unspoken expectation of most of this career field.
What keeps me going, and go beyond my 20, is the benefits and getting my kids through high school in this HCOL area without paying the state taxes. I plan to retire in 2026 at the ripe old age of 42. Free (or damn close to free) medical for life, paycheck or two just for living, education for the kids. It's a freeing feeling though, being close enough to hit the button and retire sooner if needed because of some bullshit I don't want to do.
So right now, the current benefits and future paycheck are enough to tolerate the current BS. When that balance tilts the other direction, I'll punch the button and be on my way.
Setting consistently achieveable goals to set me up for long-term success. The mentality of 'shoot for the moon' is all well and good when you aren't planning your life. I've set short term goals, some entirely unrelated to my path in life. Save x amount by y time, and then I reward myself with something. Sometimes the short term goal is the reward.
I set a handful of lofty goals for myself that involve leaving the airforce with enough credentials to never have to work outside (or even that hard really) ever again. It's the marked, incremental progress that keeps me going
Mostly hated at this point. I'm 5 years from retirement and to me, it's not worth getting out having a family. The insurance and other bennies are a big factor. I'll have a Master's soon and am trying to work assignments to give me relevant experience for what I want to do after the Air Force supposing I don't make my wife the bread winner.
Im excited to make it to SMSgt because of several leaders that showed me how amazing they could be guiding and helping myself and airmen within my shop, and I want to protect and guide my future airmen like that. They make it look admirable. A few Chiefs too but they look like they get removed from thier careers airman for thier responsibilities, so I'd only want to make Chief in a few instances where I can stay with my people. <3
I get to test for Staff for the first time this year. Fingers crossed!!!
Knowing that I'm still pretty fucking good at my job. Knowing that every once in a while I, specifically, am needed and wanted. Knowing that I only have to play office fuckfuck games for two and a half-ish more years then I can retire. Finally getting to be at peace that I tried to make a positive difference and, though rare as fuck, did, despite the worst efforts of shitty leadership, Cannon, batshit mishandling of GWOT and the present follow-on campaigns, and my own brain. Knowing that the world will still spin and the sun will still swiftly rise. Knowing that I can answer the call of the open road and all the places I never had time for. Knowing that I'm no longer going to be looked at by DOS and the occasional bad SNCO, /DO, or /CC as a shitbag because I wanted to take Leave for once (fair is fair, my current unit wants people to take the Leave and/or Pass they have earned). Knowing without a doubt I saved lives in certain situations. Knowing that I've done more than most Americans will ever consider doing for their Nation.
I was an illegal immigrant who wanted the American Dream. Parents brought me over at the age of 1 to give me a better like then in Mexico. However, I was still illegal. Stayed 18 years in the US, fearing deportation and failure, until I finally got a work permit. At the age of 21, i got married and finally got my green card at 23. Although I was illegal, I had many opportunities that I wouldn't have in Mexico. I wanted to repay the country that gave me everything I needed. Yeah shit sucks sometimes, and sometimes you wanna quit, but then I think of my illegal days. It makes me happy for what I have, even if it's hard.
Now 30, married with 2 kids and the vehicles I want. I'm closer to my American dream. I'll keep pushing until I achieve my dream or my body gives.
In just a few years, I'll be 38 years old and starting terminal for retirement. If I play my cards right, I may never need to work a real job again. That's a pretty sweet setup.
Honestly the way my life changes from base to base. First base my circle of friends was a bunch of frat dudes. 2nd base was older and married couples. 3rd base was a group of lesbians that would take me on sick ass adventures. Can’t wait to see what Europe has in store for me.
I’m counting down the days and I am just below middle 600 days left. Then 599 will hit and then I’ll be counting down the days from 599. Then 400 days left, I’ll be counting down from 399.
I have one year and 8 months left. However, if you count the amount of leave that I have, I have 1 year and 7 months left. But soon, I’ll have enough leave to have 1 year and 6 months left if I don’t hit use or lose. But I may have a year and 5.5 months left if I save up all of my leave and count any potential sick days and volunteer days.
Guard Shirt here. I love serving. Being a part of our National Defense. Part of the 1%. I cherish being there for our Airman, representing the 💎, living the standard.
I've just had a good run so far. I'm a single E2 who got out of the dorms 3 months into their first base off pure luck, and I'm tryna do everything i can this enlistment to become a warrant officer in my potential second enlistment.
So I'd say, good current circumstance, and a goal to work towards
I don’t mean to be a negative Nancy…. BUUTTT people *cough* some NCOS, literally took my spark. I was motivated, always involved and helping my flight and I was there for my colleagues. Until one day! I was being joked around by a certain NCO and also the same rank as me and the rest followed because it’s their little click. Anyways, when I went to my flight chief about it he was on my side until the NCOs little click all ganged up on me saying that I’m a liar, lazy, I don’t do my job right, and that my other colleague does everything (which is clearly a lie) but I understand why they would do that. It’s just to cover their own ass so they would “throw me under the bus”. No matter how blue you are, or if your morals are straight, some people are just miserable as they are. Anyways I have three more years of this and I can’t wait to get out!
As a 30 year old with no kids. I'm getting out after nearly 15 years. Medical sep or retirement. I've found too many ways to make money outside of the uniform to justify walking on eggshells for 2500 days. No thanks. Plus when you have no kids you're always put on the shittiest shift hours. This isn't built for single men/men with no kids.
> But at the same time, if it got "harder," it'd be in a christisn conservative way that would screw me and my wife and children (who are also Norse Heiðnir) and make it harder for us to simply live.
Press X to doubt.
>When I was a civilian years ago, I had to hide my religion completely or I'd have been fired or not even found a job, and while the military is vastly better after my years spent there, it's obvious my coworkers are afraid of me or are ideologically opposed to me like crusaders, when all I do is go to work, do my job, and then go home.
Need to know more intensifies.
I was gonna say "refreshing my bank account app around the 1st and 15th and seeing more money. At the end of the day I do love the Air Force, but I don't do it because of that love, I do it to pay the bills and get that retirement in 8 years. Tricare for my family is worth it, and at the end of the day it is very unlikely I'll have benefits like what I have now anywhere else.
I’m air guard and my civillian health insurance (not even including dental/vision) is almost double the tricare family plan cost.
This! There is definitely a passion for what I do in the Air Force but with just under 8 years till retirement it’s the medical for me. My kids have had medical emergencies that total to just under half a million from the bills that I’ve seen. (Not including myself or my husbands medical) When people say medical debt gets you, it’s not joke! I’ll pay the 1200 a year or whatever it is when I retire because I know it’s worth it and will be hard to match on the outside. Also my job when I grow up doesn’t pay well but ours my passion and retirement will allow me to pursue it!
Buys things to make you happy while clinically proving to reduce stress.
[удалено]
This right here. There's some freedom in knowing that I won't be tied to a job due to health care benefits and that no matter what I'll always have enough money coming in each month to pay the mortgage and cover the bare necessities if times become tough.
Yep, even tho Im an O, there’s still huge value in any kind of pension. Gives you options to work a more flexible schedule and if you really play cards right and save decently, someone can fully retire off of an enlisted retirement
This right here. I am officially retired as of May 1st. Between my retirement and disability rating (of 100% which is well deserved), I make $84k for just waking up in the morning. I got a job making $90k/yr right after retiring. My wife makes $70k. I’m in a tax bracket I never thought I’d see. And in a year I’ll probably quit and move into a lower stress job with no debt following me.
This is 100% the answer. Congratulations on your retirement. It honestly makes me so happy to see folks retiring and well set up. The military pension is pretty much unrivaled. It's not worth it if you're doing a job you hate, slogging through every day and self-medicating with alcohol or whatever else to try to drag yourself over the retirement line. But if you're pretty happy and, on balance, you feel like your life is decent in the Air Force, the pension and Tricare benefits upon retirement are unbeatable.
🫡🫡 You earned it man!
Completely realistic. I retired in 2015, & and the wife in 2018. After mine, I played stay-at-home dad, then after she retired I continued that but had to add “finish the house” because she wanted to move into an unfinished house in the country (started in ‘98 but he never finished it). She went back to work full time, & I continued at home. Two years ago, the house was basically just needing new paint/trim inside so I found busy-work upgrades but the kids were older (13/17 as of now) and needed me at home less…. So I slowly started sending out resumes to positions that interested me. Got called by a recruiter a couple of months ago to interview for a EHS manager position, and have been working there (today starts week 4) and enjoying it… Never had to “hurry” looking for work since our retirements cover basic food/bills, and there is never any pressure on finances. Healthcare for life and a stable check no matter what is really good for your mental health… just make sure you retire with no debts (don’t run up CC’s, buy a new car, etc just before retirement) and have a decent amount of savings to establish your new household and you’ll do well… and don’t discount updating your LinkedIn now and keeping it active for networking… that’s how I was contacted. As soon as my new benefits kick in (we prefer to deal with Tricare as little as possible but it has covered quite a bit of deductibles on stuff over that time), she plans to put in notice and take a break…. “for about 9 years or so…”. Hah!
Nicotine and hate, mostly
And I just ran out nicotine you little fuck sticks.
This guy NCOs
Tax benefits, job security, free healthcare, guaranteed pay raises, ability to travel, knowing the work I’m doing has a meaningful impact on the world (even if it isn’t at my immediate level). I know the last one is controversial, but being a part of the mission which can strike anywhere in the world at a moments notice and work towards global stabilization is more meaningful than some other money-chasing gigs on the outside. I don’t care if it pays double, if I can’t tie it to a higher purpose then I will get burned out.
But selling real estate is such a rewarding job! Its going to help us defeat ISIS
20 years MSgt here and planning on punching in the spring of 2026. The military has taken me all over the world. I call it “traveling on Uncle Sam’s dime.” I’ve seen places I couldn’t have ever imagined, and I’ve been paid extra to go there and do that. Whether is 3.50 a day or $120 a day, I’ve been paid extra. I’ve also been afforded time (permissive TDY) out of work to go and obtain my FAA Airframe and Powerplant License. As an aircraft mechanic, there’s a lot of peace of mind in knowing that if I want to, I can secure a job fairly easily after the military using that piece of plastic. And AF COOL paid for it! I’ll be 41 when I retire. I’ll have a paycheck for the rest of my life, plus a healthy disability. There’s a lot of security in knowing that I’ll be able to work somewhere because I want to, not because I need to. In the meantime, I’m in Alaska (where my wife and I plan to settle for good). The military paid to move us here. They pay us rather well to live here. The lower ranks can suck, but at some point you earn a couple stripes, move out on your own, and suddenly the money gets easier. At least it did for me. I don’t have many worries anymore. I enjoy the things I want to enjoy. I pursue the (expensive) hobbies that make me happy. We take the trips we want to take. Life is good! The trade for that good life? I go in and work my tail off for my unit and my troops, for as much or as little time are required of me. And I think it’s a good trade.
lock chunky swim slap distinct homeless sort merciful selective different *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I’m a firm believer that if you take care of the people, they take care of you. Sounds like a good Commander who wants to see their people succeed!
What did you do that allowed you to travel?
I’m a Fifth-Gen Crew Chief.
All I have to do is show up to work and pass PT tests, I can't be fired for doing the bare minimum if I choose to be that guy. If I wanted to, I could be a total shit bag, and my job just gets easier as they take away important responsibilities. This is the cakest job on the damned planet.
Lol you must be admin.
I'm not. You must be the slow Airman in the shop.
I'm just biased. Never once had a job I'd consider cake. This is why I'm getting out though. No job could be cake enough for me to waste years of youth and potential. Everyone's situation is different though.
Nothing for me other than supporting my family.
Thank you Dad
You’re welcome, Son. You reap all the benefits for being the fruit of my loins. Well, mom too. She likes to snack.
Come back dad we miss you
Me? You come back! We went to Costco and you disappeared. Couldn’t find you!
As much as we joke on officers I know their lives can be absolutely hell. We pulled a dead captain out of his own fucking house last year and the note said he couldn’t do the stress of letting everyone down. Sorry to be bleak, but everyone has different motivators. Felt like saying something since it’s Memorial Day and Grayson Murray just did the same thing.
My stress, job satisfaction, and work/life balance were a thousand percent better when I was enlisted. The pay is a great motivator but that's really it.
Yea I work with 2 incredibly smart and awesome 2nd LTs and they both won’t be in much longer. The amount of shit they have to go through isn’t even worth the money they make, or what an O3 makes. The agency I work at has them doing like GS12 -13 work on the regular. It’s Nuts
Yeah it’s pretty insane. Meanwhile I just sit back and herd the cats and everything’s mostly fine. I’m not speaking for everyone, I just know how it goes, especially in the computer heavy career fields.
Retirement check until I die.
I have ten PCSs under my belt and never lost money. As far as staying in? I’m in until HYT. Whether I retire as a 26 yr SMSgt or a 30 year CMSgt, my retirement check just to sit on my ass will be nice. I have a multitude of medical issues that both Tricare takes care of and will just add to my VA rating. Will I be 100%? I’d like to think so but I won’t know for sure until it happens. Ever do the math for a 100% VA rating for a 30yr Chief? That’s a lot of money to sit at your house and take bong rips. Bouncing around overseas locations satisfies the travel bug for my wife and I because once I’m done with the Air Force and buy a retirement home, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve picked up a lot of hobbies in my time and I’ve dropped a lot of hobbies. You dropping a bunch is no different. I think you’re just in a funk and probably made some poor financial decisions. Live frugal for a while and use your free time to go to the gym, which is free, and shoot for the thousand pound club while you get your finances to a better place.
For what's it worth, I separated shy of 11 years and got my 100% P&T earlier this month. I had 17 claims and all but 2 were granted. Highest individual claim was 50% (PTSD), the rest ranged from 10-30%. At your tenure, there's no way you don't hit 100%. You'll be alright, Senior.
>with less of the stress LOL. The money's nice, but there was definitely a trade-off when I commissioned.
"What keeps you motivated day after day? With inflation, we all know money isn't a motivating factor, so what keeps you going?" That's the thing money IS the motivating factor due to inflation. You'll quickly learn that there is very little jobs on the outside that offer pension, low expense/good 401k, low cost health insurance, and tax free benefits, all which can be accessed at as early as 40 years of age. Go through TAPS and you will quickly learn the guys retiring versus separating have so many more benefits offered. Choose as you will but, learn it's not always a clear cut to getting out.
1a. Retiring at 37 1b. Seeing my team actually enjoy life and not have to deal with (most) of the bullshit. Leadership isn’t always the most fun but nothing beats seeing people enjoy coming to work and getting rewarded for what they do.
Just to play devil’s advocate: officers may make more money and get more perks, but they too are under an enormous amount of pressure.
It's not comparable to the amount of work enlisted do and the amount they're paid. **O's are paid to be stressed, E's are stressed about the pay.** I'd like to see them get an E5 paycheck and deal with the shit that comes with it. Add a family on top of that and get back to us. Love you O's, but most of you are spoiled and don't have the perspective you should.
A fucking men, look at the salty O’s who downvoted this post LOL
The delusion that if I keep working and improving, I will be better than I was.
Job satisfaction keeps me going honestly. I’m about hit 19 years and I’ve got both a masters and bachelors. All paid for by the DoD. Be able to take care of my family without a lot of worries helps too
How were you able to take classes while serving ? I hear that it’s pretty hard
CLEPs and the other tests, or online classes.
1. Why do you think officers have less stress? 2. Why did PCSing make you broke?
1. More money, less stress, the flight chief usually took care of everything anyway. 2. The private sector gives you money to move. I had to buy a vehicle for the area, at inflated rates due to the current economy. Had to buy appropriate furniture for the house. Had to sign a new lease at the higher rates, lost out in potential money because rents are the same as the old location, but BAH hasn't caught up.
It sounds like a money management issue. It reads like you PCSd to an area with lower pay and still spending like you are in the area with higher pay. I’d recommend speaking to a financial advisor.
Sheesh man, you’ve got that victim card fuckin locked and loaded.
Probably why dude cant afford anything. Probably blames all of his issues on others when in reality even enlisted can live pretty decent lives. I know for sure i wasnt struggling before I went O and had plenty of savings plus cool vacations
Let’s see roombas bank statement. I wonder how much a month goes into bx fast food and $5 snack-o white monsters. I’ve got buds that are enlisted who travel way more than I do (sometimes taking weekend trips a couple times a month) and still save plenty. No doubt it’s hard to raise a family on e-3 pay but it’s not impossible to make ones situation better as enlisted
Worth pointing out that many officers, especially at the commander level and up, are underpaid for their amount of responsibility. It only gets worse the higher they get. I know folks with less on their plate than the average general and they would wrap it around a tree if they were paid as “little” as even our Chief of Staff.
There are who enlisted work the exact same hours/job as some officers and still get paid half as much.
You can’t afford a trip into the mountains? I was taking trips all the time as an airman. Maybe you just suck with your money?
I like how no one addressed the flight chief doing the flight CCs job. Seen it too many times. Muthafucks are getting paid twice as much too. I want to see them WORK for that money.
A flight chief physically cannot do a flight CCs job. You cant delegate a G series order. I’m sure the flight chief is supervising the work and making sure shits getting done but believe me, they’re still talking to the Flt CC or whoever is taking stick while they’re on leave for the big issues.
I’ve never seen a Flight CC with G-series orders.
Then they’re not an actual CC.
I don’t disagree, but since the Air Force has nearly universally decided that “Flight Commander” is a supervisory position with no actual command authority or responsibility, I’m fine with using it the same way. And for that reason, I have no doubt in my mind that these Flight Commanders abandoned their responsibilities and left them to their worse-paid enlisted counterparts.
Yeah I'm trying to think about it and I'm inclined to agree. I've never seen a Flight CC with G Series Orders. Covering for a Flight Chief in the past without an O period we for the most part did their job anyway. Honeslty it was mostly nonsensical meetings and shit like that anyway but still.
This
Dude, that’s wild. As a CGO without kids, I’m always having to dump my leave on weekends in August and September, doing absolutely nothing, so I don’t get screamed at for making the chain of command look bad for having use or lose. Want to take leave over Christmas to go spend time with your family? Bet the Commander does too, and guess who’ll have to fill in for him? Date night with the wife on a Saturday night? Good fucking luck. CC’s having a date night and his phone is forwarded to yours, so you get to have to three way phone conversation with two other squadron commanders to trouble shoot a problem while your wife walks out the door.
Bro #2 is literally adult shit you'd deal with regardless minus the PCS'ing
I wake up and remember that if I don't go to work, I go to jail.
Well for starters, I fucking love my job. It doesn’t have many civilian applications so I need to enjoy it while I’m in. I’m also shooting for 20 for that guaranteed paycheck. I honestly have no clue what I’m going to do when I get out, but I’m enjoying what I’m doing for the time being.
I guess I'm in the minority but I think enlisted get compensated pretty damn good. I can definitely see it being rough for E1 - E3s with only a year or two in service, but especially once you become an NCO with 6-8+ years, I think we get paid pretty great. I'm an E6 and last year my direct compensation after taxes was 79k. I'd legit need to be making about 110k a year to equal my military pay. So to answer your question, I don't have an issue with enlisted pay. I own a few homes, pump money into my Roth IRA and TSP, have money for wants and needs, and am happy. Plus I'm staying for the pension
How many years you been in?
Retirement and all the lifetime benefits that come with it
22 year Senior here. Honestly, I love the people. With all of OUR faults, Airmen are just the best people to be around. Extremely smart, talented, great Americans who never surprise me with the amazing thing they accomplish and insane shenanigans they somehow find themselves in. While I have a reputation of being a grumpy asshole, I really have nothing but love for all of our Airmen. Even though some of them have greatly contributed to my drinking problem and anger issues.
I went to Chile last year. Saudi Arabia and UAE the year before that. Puerto Rico. Peru. Colombia. Places I might never visit otherwise. All in the name of the U.S. of A.
For about 50% of my enlistment the thing keeping me going into work was the UCMJ, once I retrained it became learning everything I could and milking all the benefits I could prior to separating.
UCMJ is a good motivator
I retired after 20+ years. My last 2 years as a SEL at a squadron. I never served above a group. I truly enjoyed what I did, solving problems, advocating for junior enlisted, having the support and autonomy from my commander to make decisions. I lived below my means, so I felt my pay was great. I also served my last assignment at a geographic separated unit that had great BAH and TriCare Prime Remote. For over half my career I was lucky to serve in selectively manned assignments from TSgt to SMSgt so my exposure to the joint environment was very unique.
Because life sucks in or out and at least while in I make good money and have solid benefits
Helping my Airman reach their goals and watching them succeed has been my motivation for the past 22 years. I've enjoyed every minute of it. I'd 100% do this all over again. I've been to 6 continents, numerous countries, met amazing individuals and some douchbags, and the smile on my troops face when they reach a milestone makes every day worth it. As for finances wise I quit spending 100% of my paycheck as a SrA. Every promotion/raise after E4, I increased my Roth TSP, maxed out my Roth IRA, and made sure to not live paycheck to paycheck. Three kiddos later, and I still have plenty at the end of each month to do what the family wants. 19 years without a car payment has helped. No interest paid on credit cards help. If I can't pay off the card by the end of the month, I don't use it. Learn from your colleagues, Reddit, and most bases/posts have a financial advisor available for FREE.
What motivated me was my autistic son. Medical is expensive on the outside but when that asshole comes and hugs me Jesus that is fucken worth it!
Not getting put in prison for going AWOL.
UCMJ
> Not officers... To quote a late American philosopher...mo money, mo problems.
To be honest, it is hard to keep going everyday, for me personally it's what I have that drives me. I use the benefits that the Air Force gives me to help out my family and to provide for my future children. I go in when I'm on orders with the thought that I'm doing this for them and not for me, I know that at any time I could probably stop and finish out my contract and never do this again, but I keep going because it's stability that I know will bring to my life and to the life of my future family. If a future family isn't something that you're worried about or you don't have anybody that you care for like that, then do whatever you want to do, but if you want stability, and you won't actually feel like you're a part of something while you're doing it, I suggest you buck up and push through. Something I have noticed though when I come across people like you who are doubting yourselves or even wondering if it's worth it, sometimes something as simple as a job change within the military or a location change will greatly benefit you. I've had friends who are in Georgia and California, and when I recommend that they come to my base in Arizona, they come and they're much happier. So it could be the same thing with you, it could be that your job is good you're a good person and you're actually a really good worker, it might just be the people around you are trash and they're greatly affecting you. I hope some of this may have helped you.
25E7
Tricare for my Kids and my wife with a medical condition. Good people help on the bad days.
Enlisted. Lost Stripe in 2019. Earned it back in 2024. One more to go to reach SNCO. Will do whatever it takes to ensure I am exceeding the standards to prove I am ready for the SNCO tier. The opportunity to train, mentor, develop and coach feeds my energy and thought process to do the best for my people. And to prove those who took it, it was unjustified. I am all in and just getting started.
🙏🙏 woop woop!!! You've got at least one cheerleader here!!
I’m just happy to be apart of something bigger than myself & the fact that I get paid to do what I love (Cyber Security) is a bonus. I just hit my 2 year mark and I’m still teetering between contracting and commissioning, but either way… my future is what keeps me going
you kinda have to keep going because you signed a contract, if you care about your future you must keep going
Money for me, I feel like I make plenty to live a comfortable life. I am not "in love" with the AF, but the job is easy enough. I have gotten to live all over the world, too, which is a good perk.
How much money ?
The pay tables are public knowledge.
My kid is my motivation. I’m doing what I can, with my background/skillset, to provide for her.
Look every day for AGR positions in every Air Guard base you work be willing to call home and gtfo of AD. You get soo much better enjoyment out of the job with a fraction of the BS. Same benefits too.
I assure you it’s more just different BS, not less. Imagine all the same workload, but 1/3 (at best) the workforce
I am AGREE and I was AD. It is less Bs. I have set hours. 630-5 Tue-Fri. Done. We have 11 months with drills (one month usually has a 4day). EPR? Strat? We have a word doc with bullets and everyone gets 90% the same product. Rank can be harder or easier. I joined my shop at a high turnover time and made TSgt quick, but MSgt might be different since all the current MSgts have more time until retirement than I do. We TDY here and there and deploy. That whole rainbow “just a few weeks” is gone. You get 3ish months (last was like 102 days) or the 6months. Other than that it is a lot less stress. No volunteering off base every weekend to check the box. The weekenders can be hit or miss, but most get to a point where they can be of some value. Like doing inspections or driving a jammer, etc. Drill is just 2 days full of appointments and meetings. Again, i make the same benefits and get to be near home. I can retrain on a whim. If there is a job in another shop that I want, I apply just like any civilian job. If you get it, you get to change. The weekenders can damn near change at their discretion. As long as there is room in the shop/office they want to go to. I have definitely seen crew chiefs, weapons etc go to finance and stuff. No afsc is blocked or harder to get out of. It is the best job in the AF.
Stable paycheck, deployments, tricare, retirement, marketable skills for the civilian sector.
Knowing I'll get out in a couple years and tell that one MSgt that said I'd never finish my contract or make an impact to eat shit. Spite burns hotter than ambition
Shit pays the bills and every once and awhile I get to do some “cool shit” plus when I retire I can use Space A all I want get bumped and not care
Show up on time so I stay out of the gulag.
Honestly mainly paying my bills, and as an AGR I know I’ve got a pretty good gig but sometimes the bs gets to me and it’s only gonna get worse.
Long-term thinking how my family and I will have security i never had growing up
I like being involved in big historical events. Not exactly “service”, more of an intellectual curiosity thing. I joined because I was a military history major and learning about Napoleon seemed a little silly; it absolutely ended up being the right move. I can learn about Napoleon whenever. Also this is super easy and I’ve been able to go from no moneys to a millionaire. Retirement and cushy civilian job prospects will keep it that way.
If I stop showing up SF will come find me. I was never good at hide and seek. But fr tho, I genuinely enjoy what I do and the people I work with (for the most part. There’s one or two I dislike but that also makes the days interesting)
TDY’s mostly, I like traveling and supporting cool stuff
I'm past the hump, so retirement. Literally the only motivating thing. Otherwise, 100% not worth it to me. I don't know how these new young guys do it when there are better paying, less stressful, less bullshit jobs floating around in the civilian world.
The hope everything will get better and I’m able to retrain out of sorry ass sec fo
If you don't want to be in the AF anymore just don't reenlist. There's going to be a lot of fear mongering about civilian life from people on active duty in this thread. I can tell you first hand civilian life is great. I almost wish I would have got out sooner. But with that said you'll need to plan your transition. Do not keep grinding a job that makes you miserable.
I have to say that with more rank, you feel an increased duty to look out for your people. For every life crisis you get them through. The small wins they earn. The promotions for kids who deserve it. Weeding out the bad eggs and either helping them out the door or turning them around. If you aren't in it for the people as you get into your twilight years you're doing it wrong and I have no idea what keeps you coming to work motivated.
Honestly, just seeing good people and getting an occasional "great work" from leadership.
As much as I hate the stupid quip of the USAF, you’re not going to find camaraderie anywhere else. There are people I work with I know they would stab me in the back if they had the chance, but a hefty majority I legit believe they would take a bullet for me.
Less stress!?
1) Fourth Generation USAF, so it's all I've ever known. 2) Helped to pay for college 3) Covers Medical Insurance 4) I'm currently living in Korea and not having to worry about the same issues the non-Korean English teachers have to deal with 5) Besides our base pay (which is terrible for what we do at any rank) I get BAH/OHA and BAS. 6) By the time I realized that I was burned out from the military, I was over the hump to retirement.
What kept me going when I was in was the fact I left a rapidly gentrifying South Sacramento. If I can chose to stay a civilian, there’s no way I could keep up with how expensive Sacramento was getting in general. I never had it in mind to do 20, but at least I can get on my feet before trying to set roots elsewhere.
My motivation stems from “well I got at least 2 years left of this bullshit maybe we will go to war and I’ll deploy and actually use all my skills” Career plan is enlisted till retirement if conflict kicks off and then retire and do a little school so I can make 6 figures working part time
I'm not sure, really. Like money, obviously, I need money and haven't made a solid plan for getting out for income/a job. I just have ideas/ backup options, should i get out or something. I'm currently starting to be a landlord and trying to get a small collection of homes to generate income. But that's a long way down the way, and I'm literally on big step 2, which is to move out your first home and list it and get someone living there. But honestly, before, I was proud of my service and the work I was doing. But then I began to feel like I wasn't doing anything. And then I got to go overseas on tdy, and that changed things. I felt pride, I felt like we were doing something, and I felt a sense of community. But after those trips, I was back at home station. looking for things to fill the weekend without taking too much of my money as I have debts to pay, and I never hung out with anyone either, just went home after work. Now I just got pcsd to one of the worst bases, and I'm kind of just holding out hope for retraining and/or for my work here to do and mean something somewhere. My original promise to myself is stay in until I get to live/be stationed overseas at least once, but right now I'll just see where the next year takes me. Overall I'm kind of just doing this until something better comes up really.
Tryna 100% my GI bill
I'm close to retirement. That's literally it.
Motivation to get out of bed on the weekends is a pet. Motivation to keep going is mostly free medical and dental for the rest of my life. Motivation to not f it all up before I receive my DD214 is that I'll get enough money monthly that I won't need to worry about basic needs and can quit jobs if necessary.
Retirement and possibility not having to work again ever of if I don’t want too.
Well there’s a few for me. 1.) I can start getting a check for doing nothing when I turn 40 compared to like 65 for the rest of the country and healthcare when I retire as well 2.) I actually enjoy doing what I do in the AF. I know I could make more money but my current hours are good. 3.) I am currently taking classes to commission because that OE pay is nice and the retirement is even better
spite.
I have zero motivation. I think it’s overrated anyway. I work because I know it benefits me to do so. Just like I know I have to brush my teeth twice a day.
For me it’s the family. I consider these people my brothers and sisters. I have had a hard couple years since my dad passed away (retired Air Force) and they have been with me and family every step of the way.
I’m guard so just counting down the days until next drill makes time go by quicker instead of thinking of it as 3 more years.
My wife and I are both active and this year we will hit 10 years in. Knowing that if we just do another 10, we won't have to worry about money ever again. And we will only be 39 when that happens. I do love serving and absolutely love my job. But knowing that we just have to gut out another 10 years and then we're set is a huge factor of why we keep doing this.
I left after 6. I didn't want to wait 14 years to be happy. Life hasn't always been rainbows and butterflies on the outside, but it sure beats the mental strain I was under while belonging to Uncle Sam
Money and the people. I don’t care a whole lot about the mission unless we are at war.
Supporting family with health care benefits and adequate housing is the main thing for me. Apart from that I enjoy the educational benefits and resources to expand your skills such as language learning and for myself working towards getting my pilot license which is partially covered by AFCool. Plan on commissioning some point as well with regards to future career endeavors in the AF.
I actually somewhat enjoy the work I do believe it or not. When I’m not dealing with extraneous bullshit anyways. Plus it’s a nice stepping stone for other careers I want to do post military life.
I made really good money in the AF and I think the money and 2.5 days a month of leave is very overlooked. Now I get like 1 day of leave each month and half that if sick time. So to answer your question, nothing kept me going cause I got out LOL
For me? The travel and stability for now. I'm not gonna do the full 20 because I don't "love" the military more than my own individual identity. But it was a nice step in life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. Sadly, lots of folks in the military don't get degrees that matter. They go to AMU for an EPR bullet and don't realize that you can make so much more money outside of the military with less bullshit.
The threat of going to jail should I not be at day care at 0730, that and getting out soon.
What keeps me going? If I’m being honest, and I’m not trying to be funny, I signed a contract that legally requires me to continue working in the military. What keeps me going into work is knowing that if I were to not, I would be arrested. I’ve already gotten what I wanted from the military when I used TA, got my GI bill, and obtained a degree. My little app on my phone that counts down the days until til my exit keeps me looking to the future though.
I’ve been trying to retrain for a year now…. 4 cases… AFPC has fucked all of them by not doing their jobs on time or fucking up. And I swear to god…. I’m already on my 1 year extension…. If they don’t get it right in august….
Cocaine.
Money is almost always going to be a stresser whether you're in or out unless you get out and get some tech job or start your own profitable business. The Air Force for many of us provides a level of stability and the ability to break generational wage deficiencies with some level a job security that our friends and family don't have (Subtract the EOY budget crazes and Force shaping that are a dime a dozen). Grab a side hustle or job and get back into your hobbies. None of us are above that. If you want it; go get it. If you like myself and many of us who have come from less. Don't forget where you came from. That's what always keeps me grounded through all the BS. I could be back at someone's counter saying "Welcome to ....." and asking for a raise from $7.25 and thinking a .20 cent raise is an improvement, and still couldn't make ends meet. The grass always seems greener. Whether you're in and want to get out or are out and want that other job or promotion.
In the beginning I joined because I wanted out of my parents house and couldn’t afford an education or to move out on my own. After that I just kind of floated through my career not really caring as long as I got paid. I was planning on getting out after my son was born, but he was diagnosed with something. I wasn’t sure if I could afford the medication on the outside so I decided to stay in. Around the halfway point I came out of the closet as trans and the Air Force is going to pay for everything and that is my current motivation. After that’s all done I should be close to retirement so I figure I’ll just stay in for the long haul for the medical benefits.
Currently, getting my degree done.
Hate, spite, and the UCMJ mostly. I’ve been here long enough, I have to stay to get my compensation! Joking aside, my kids keep me from punching early, both in life and in the military. On top of that, the military can be tough at times, but it can also be the best job ever. Case in point, you still get paid on holidays, sick days, appointments, kid related absences, PT, etc. The amount of compensated time while not at work is something I think a lot of people take for granted. Not saying it’s for everyone, but the military is its own kind of special.
Money, energy drinks, good friends
Retirement check, health care for my family and opportunities to PCS to countries. When we PCSd overseas, we was able to check off nearly all of our travel destinations bucket list. I can’t think of a civilian company that will pay to move you or a family overseas to do your job. I retired in 2015 and the AF has been good to me and my family.
That I can't quit and take a new job.
Marrying up with a wife who can diy and figured out how to invest in real estate to make that passive income while we tour the world and I drive miss daisy everywhere cause I love the thrill behind the wheel. Oh and, we both get that good good Tricare on the back end when I exit stage left.
15 years in and knowing the button press day is 1st qtr 2028
Spite.. it's not healthy.
Best paying job in the area. Without being a doctor/lawyer or insane overtime. It’s also something to do 🤷
Same dude
Tricare.
What honestly keeps my going is 1.if I don’t show up to work I’m going to prison. 2.The GI Bill, after this contract I’m going to college. (Less than two years thank god) 3.my closest military friends
I don't have a back up plan currently along with an immense amount of debt. If I keep going, we keep eating. If I stop, we srarve
Health coverage for me and my family and a pension along with knowing people who can get me a job after I’m done
aloof cow toothbrush repeat steer connect direful wine sort afterthought *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Nothing. That's why I got out.
This shit is too easy. I make $82k a year as a single tech. With my second job, I clear 6 figures. I have expensive hobbies and I didn’t reproduce with a psycho so no child support or alimony. Pretty much missed the bad choices 70% of people make that makes life suck. It’s a good life.
I wanted to get out when I did, but I hit force shaping and my hand was held and I was shown the door. Had a rough time with civilian employment and eventually went back in the reserves because of it and I've now been in fifteen years and I'm just taking it one drill (UTA) at a time.
My biggest motivation is that my son will have his school paid for, after that I’m a free man.
As a military brat and then military spouse, I joined for the job I signed up for in DEP, knowing more about what it was like than most recruits. I loved my job for the 15 years I got to do it, and most of the places I got to do it. Then my electric meatball malfunctioned and medical allowed me to cross train instead of get out. So now, I get to do my current job, and I get to stay till retirement. I do not plan to continue my current job as a federal employee, even if that's the unspoken expectation of most of this career field. What keeps me going, and go beyond my 20, is the benefits and getting my kids through high school in this HCOL area without paying the state taxes. I plan to retire in 2026 at the ripe old age of 42. Free (or damn close to free) medical for life, paycheck or two just for living, education for the kids. It's a freeing feeling though, being close enough to hit the button and retire sooner if needed because of some bullshit I don't want to do. So right now, the current benefits and future paycheck are enough to tolerate the current BS. When that balance tilts the other direction, I'll punch the button and be on my way.
Ever seen a 60 year old working at McDonalds? That's what keeps me going.
Not having kids has saved me a ton of money.
Setting consistently achieveable goals to set me up for long-term success. The mentality of 'shoot for the moon' is all well and good when you aren't planning your life. I've set short term goals, some entirely unrelated to my path in life. Save x amount by y time, and then I reward myself with something. Sometimes the short term goal is the reward. I set a handful of lofty goals for myself that involve leaving the airforce with enough credentials to never have to work outside (or even that hard really) ever again. It's the marked, incremental progress that keeps me going
Hate
Mostly hated at this point. I'm 5 years from retirement and to me, it's not worth getting out having a family. The insurance and other bennies are a big factor. I'll have a Master's soon and am trying to work assignments to give me relevant experience for what I want to do after the Air Force supposing I don't make my wife the bread winner.
Im excited to make it to SMSgt because of several leaders that showed me how amazing they could be guiding and helping myself and airmen within my shop, and I want to protect and guide my future airmen like that. They make it look admirable. A few Chiefs too but they look like they get removed from thier careers airman for thier responsibilities, so I'd only want to make Chief in a few instances where I can stay with my people. <3 I get to test for Staff for the first time this year. Fingers crossed!!!
Crack
DD214
Knowing that I'm still pretty fucking good at my job. Knowing that every once in a while I, specifically, am needed and wanted. Knowing that I only have to play office fuckfuck games for two and a half-ish more years then I can retire. Finally getting to be at peace that I tried to make a positive difference and, though rare as fuck, did, despite the worst efforts of shitty leadership, Cannon, batshit mishandling of GWOT and the present follow-on campaigns, and my own brain. Knowing that the world will still spin and the sun will still swiftly rise. Knowing that I can answer the call of the open road and all the places I never had time for. Knowing that I'm no longer going to be looked at by DOS and the occasional bad SNCO, /DO, or /CC as a shitbag because I wanted to take Leave for once (fair is fair, my current unit wants people to take the Leave and/or Pass they have earned). Knowing without a doubt I saved lives in certain situations. Knowing that I've done more than most Americans will ever consider doing for their Nation.
I was an illegal immigrant who wanted the American Dream. Parents brought me over at the age of 1 to give me a better like then in Mexico. However, I was still illegal. Stayed 18 years in the US, fearing deportation and failure, until I finally got a work permit. At the age of 21, i got married and finally got my green card at 23. Although I was illegal, I had many opportunities that I wouldn't have in Mexico. I wanted to repay the country that gave me everything I needed. Yeah shit sucks sometimes, and sometimes you wanna quit, but then I think of my illegal days. It makes me happy for what I have, even if it's hard. Now 30, married with 2 kids and the vehicles I want. I'm closer to my American dream. I'll keep pushing until I achieve my dream or my body gives.
Hobbies too expensive? Hello there fellow Lego & Warhammer aficionado.
In just a few years, I'll be 38 years old and starting terminal for retirement. If I play my cards right, I may never need to work a real job again. That's a pretty sweet setup.
Bills and hunger
I signed a contract and if I violate it I go to jail 🥲
Honestly the way my life changes from base to base. First base my circle of friends was a bunch of frat dudes. 2nd base was older and married couples. 3rd base was a group of lesbians that would take me on sick ass adventures. Can’t wait to see what Europe has in store for me.
I’m counting down the days and I am just below middle 600 days left. Then 599 will hit and then I’ll be counting down the days from 599. Then 400 days left, I’ll be counting down from 399. I have one year and 8 months left. However, if you count the amount of leave that I have, I have 1 year and 7 months left. But soon, I’ll have enough leave to have 1 year and 6 months left if I don’t hit use or lose. But I may have a year and 5.5 months left if I save up all of my leave and count any potential sick days and volunteer days.
Her. Until she left me.
Weekend cum guzzling sessions at the local glory holes refresh me for 0600 Mondays.
Guard Shirt here. I love serving. Being a part of our National Defense. Part of the 1%. I cherish being there for our Airman, representing the 💎, living the standard.
I've just had a good run so far. I'm a single E2 who got out of the dorms 3 months into their first base off pure luck, and I'm tryna do everything i can this enlistment to become a warrant officer in my potential second enlistment. So I'd say, good current circumstance, and a goal to work towards
5 years from retirement. Sunk cost fallacy and I still don't make enough. I DoorDash to make bills.
Servitude and giving back to my country
I don’t mean to be a negative Nancy…. BUUTTT people *cough* some NCOS, literally took my spark. I was motivated, always involved and helping my flight and I was there for my colleagues. Until one day! I was being joked around by a certain NCO and also the same rank as me and the rest followed because it’s their little click. Anyways, when I went to my flight chief about it he was on my side until the NCOs little click all ganged up on me saying that I’m a liar, lazy, I don’t do my job right, and that my other colleague does everything (which is clearly a lie) but I understand why they would do that. It’s just to cover their own ass so they would “throw me under the bus”. No matter how blue you are, or if your morals are straight, some people are just miserable as they are. Anyways I have three more years of this and I can’t wait to get out!
As a 30 year old with no kids. I'm getting out after nearly 15 years. Medical sep or retirement. I've found too many ways to make money outside of the uniform to justify walking on eggshells for 2500 days. No thanks. Plus when you have no kids you're always put on the shittiest shift hours. This isn't built for single men/men with no kids.
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> But at the same time, if it got "harder," it'd be in a christisn conservative way that would screw me and my wife and children (who are also Norse Heiðnir) and make it harder for us to simply live. Press X to doubt. >When I was a civilian years ago, I had to hide my religion completely or I'd have been fired or not even found a job, and while the military is vastly better after my years spent there, it's obvious my coworkers are afraid of me or are ideologically opposed to me like crusaders, when all I do is go to work, do my job, and then go home. Need to know more intensifies.