I've been in the Army for 10 years as of today.

[Squatch]

Holy crap.

[skygazer]

1. I don't think I've ever done anything for 10 years straight

Holy crap indeed. I salute you, Squatch. :patriot:

[sarge43]

2. Hand salute Squatch

Well, you're over the hump and it does get easier now. Wait until you meet the private who was born after the year you signed up.

[BOSSHOG]

4. What a great story

My first Chief was a grizzly old monster (weren't we all.) I was a little too cocky kinda ignoring directions; I said Chief you were in the Navy before I was born. He said if the Captain's ladder ain't spotless in a half hour you'll never get the fucking opportunity to have anyone say that to you. Sure nuff!!!

[sarge43]

10. Yeah, lipping off to no-neck monsters with grey hair and the arm

load of stripes can fuck up your day -- I got to clean, I mean really clean, all the barracks garbage cans and there was stuff in those cans the CDC wouldn't have gone near.

My "I'm getting too old for this shit" moment happened when I was doing the 'back in my day' thing to a set of newbies. I mentioned in passing women were discharged for the pregnancy thing. They stared at me like I started to speak in tongues. "Yeah.what!?" "Sergeant, they discharged gals just for being pregnant?" "Yes my children. They did -- back in Balloon Corps."

Squatch, listen to the BOSS. Save money, repeat, save money. Put 5 to 10 percent of Uncle's baksheesh in an account every month and forget about it until you waltz out the gate for the last time. You won't be sorry you did.

[Parche]

13. Air Force

And I was only in the Air Force for 3years!!!

But was saving $500 a month put into a moneymarket account......................

Congratulations on 10years in the Army!!!! :hi:

"When the last war call has sounded,
and the fleet will sail no more,
when a lasting peace is founded
and no enemy threatens our shore
when at last they write the story
and the reason for victory is seen
you will rise in honored glory
YOU MIGHTY SUBMARINE

[Crazy Dave]

3. I enlisted in the Army during the "Cold War" 1981

My drill sergeants always told me that the Russians sent me to "fuck up" their Army

[BOSSHOG]

5. Hang in there Teammate

If you are not saving money now, start TODAY. If you are saving money, save MORE. I can tell you, when the time comes (retirement) you will love the first of the month.

[Squatch]

7. I'm maxing out my TSP and ROTH IRAs.

I should be juuuuuuust fine when I retire at the age of 43.

[BOSSHOG]

8. Outstanding Soldier

I had so many of my Chiefly contemporaries tell me about six months before they were to retire: "Well I guess I should start saving money now." I (we) started saving heavily 12 years before I retired. I retired five years ago and haven't worked a lick since. My wife still works but she is locking down her own pension. We don't tap into our savings but its great to know its there.

[wildhorses]

6. salute dude

:patriot:

[commander bunnypants]

9. congrads

if I stayed in the USN I could retire next year.


CB

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. Thank you Squatch

You are appreciated.

[eyepaddle]

12. Congrats, and thanks!

:patriot:

You've been in a flurry of DU activity here these last couple of days I may note!

[SKKY]

14. That's a huge milestone, huh? Stay in? Get out?

...my decision was made for me by 9/11. Anyway, congratulations!

[Orsino]

15. Congratulations!

Army, Army, Army.

[Benfea]

16. Should I congratulate you?

...or express my condolences? ;)

[KitchenWitch]

17. ...

:patriot: