What advice would you give to your younger self at the start of his career?

Appreciate the candor,And I myself feel in debt to you and all who have served this great country, a heartfelt Thanks does not nearly express to you for your service. I had plans in my younger years of going career Navy as many in our family had, for some unknown reason I did not do this, My Dad was a Senior Chief ( USS Maryland ) at the end of WWII, at 66 wish I had followed his lead.

 

It's a bit complicated. But to say I was tired of the military chicken(redacted) would not be far off the target!

 

Unstood

 

I am planning to have dinner tonight with the CMC of one of the Navy ships moored in at Norfolk. I have known this Master Chief since he was a PO-3.

 

Even if you retired as an E-3, you still get great benefits such as free healthcare for life for you and the better half.
Retirement check wouldn't be much, but that healthcare makes up for it.
I know many E-3's in the Navy that did 20 and retired. It was legal then, but not now.
Ship captains would request them to be assigned to their ship. Usually working in deck force.
Detailers that cut orders for sailors had special list of career E-3's. Those guys were strong leaders and no one gave them any crap on the ships. During emergencies or manpower shortages they could fill in for E-4 or E-5's and did and I witnessed that.

 

That CMC probably tell you I'm full of it about the E-3's but that just means he didn't serve when I did.

 

In the Air Force, this is known as "High Year Tenure" and it almost takes an act of God to wave it! Its also why most E-7s don't go much past 20 years.

 

When I was in, there was a loophole for that. For example, forced retirement at 20 years. Now the person is USNFR, which means US Navy Fleet Reserve. They go on the retired list at the 30 yr. point.
Now that person can go right back on active duty as USNFR and stay as long as he wants because he doesn't count against the manpower allowance.

 

We had an E-5 at my duty station that was at the time I met him had been in for about 14 years. I never fully understood how he stayed so long past his HYT, but he did. I do know he was not going to ever make E-6 and he was still there when I left. I guess there are exceptions to almost everything.

 

Used or old equipment does not save money.