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I SPENT ALMOST 43 years either on active duty or in the reserves for the Navy and Army. Yes, I’ve been around.
The following is my list of the top 17 items—including some pertinent financial details—that might surprise those who have never served in the military.
No. 1: Our primary mission is not to fight wars. Instead, it’s to be so big, so bad, so mean, so well equipped, so well trained and so well led that any potential enemy in its right mind wouldn’t want to fight us. Failing that, our secondary mission is to fight and win wars.
No. 2: If we had a draft, we would be less likely to become involved in armed conflicts. We haven’t had a draft since 1973. If every family faced the prospect of their children serving in combat, there’d be less willingness to go to war unless it was absolutely necessary. As it happens, all males age 18 to 25 are still required to register with the Selective Service System in case a draft is ever reinstated.
No. 3: The military doesn’t choose which wars to fight. You and your elected representatives choose wars. The treaties that our government signs generally determine which potential conflicts we become involved in. Political solutions should be a first resort, military action the last.
No. 4: We fire a lot of bullets in combat. It was estimated that 50,000 rounds were fired to kill a single soldier in Vietnam. In fact, I was told that automatic weapons with large magazines were invented for the military because we’re notoriously bad shots when under the strain of combat.
No. 5: Few people become members of the military. Today, about 0.5% of our population serve in the armed forces. That means that if, you have 1,000 people graduating high school, five will serve. The percentage was 11% during World War II.
No. 6: Very few people stay long enough to officially retire from the active or reserve armed forces. Only 30% of officers and 10% of enlisted personnel retire from the military.
No. 7: Military personnel are, in my opinion, well compensated when you include pay, pensions and medical benefits. Military pensions are considered the gold standard. Enlisted active-duty soldiers, who join the military out of high school and serve 20 years, can potentially retire in their 30s with an inflation-adjusted pension and lifetime family medical benefits. The estimated present value of a military pension is often more than $1 million.
No. 8: The reserve armed forces also receive pensions and medical benefits at retirement age. Reserve retirement is age 60, with a few exceptions. Pension benefits are prorated based on actual days of service.
No. 9: A reason some soldiers weren’t deployable during the first Gulf War was dental work. I was at a meeting at Fort Knox during that time. A dentist said the dental work on soldiers was so bad that he had to rebuild whole mouths for Army Reserve and National Guard troops. Later, these organizations required annual dental checkups.
No. 10: There’s no free medical insurance for reserve military personnel unless serving on active duty. It wasn’t until 2007 that the government allowed “drilling” reserve troops—meaning those participating in “inactive duty” training—to purchase military medical insurance for themselves and their dependents. It’s a great benefit, with the military paying most of the cost. A family plan currently costs about $240 a month. It’s the best medical insurance I’ve ever had.
No. 11: Retired military must take Medicare when they reach age 65. At that juncture, military health insurance, otherwise known as Tricare, becomes a supplemental plan that covers most of what Medicare doesn’t.
No. 12: You have to get promoted to stay on active duty. It’s called “up or out.” If you don’t achieve a designated rank after a certain number of years, you can be pushed out of the military before retirement.
No. 13: You’re required to pass weight and physical fitness standards to stay on active or reserve military duty. We were tested twice a year. They’ll give you more than one chance to meet standards. But if you fail, you can lose your job.
No. 14: Sometimes, a general is not a general. Each state has their own armed force—the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard—mostly funded by the federal government. The Adjutant General, or TAG, is the senior military officer overseeing these state armed forces. The TAG is generally appointed by the governor and may be a general only for that state’s national guard force. The TAG’s rank, as recognized by the federal government, can be less than that of a general.
No. 15: You don’t have to remain in perfect health to stay on active duty. An extreme case was Major Ivan Castro. He was blinded in 2006 in Iraq. Major Castro was allowed to continue serving on active duty until 2017. He worked primarily with the 7th Special Forces Group and later as commander of Special Operations Recruiting Command. He completed 50 marathons out of uniform and trekked 200 miles across Antarctica to the South Pole with other disabled veterans. This is 50 more marathons and one more trek across Antarctica than I have done.
No. 16: Sometimes, you get into the military by accident. Retired Brigadier General Patrick Dolan, who served in the Army National Guard, is a Roman Catholic priest who had no intention of joining the military. He was asked to do so by his archdiocese to fill a need for Catholic chaplains in the service. He was surprised to realize he enjoyed his time, which included four deployments to the Middle East. Along the way, he earned the Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge.
No. 17: Sometimes, recruiters lie. Army Times wrote a story in the middle of the last Gulf War about a retired National Guard physician in his 70s—which is past the required retirement age for all soldiers—who was asked to go back on active duty. The good doctor thought they didn’t realize his age. He was told they did and he could replace some other doctor’s stateside position, perhaps in Hawaii or a similar place, while the other doctor went to the war zone.
Instead, he ended up as the oldest service personnel in Iraq (2005) and Afghanistan (2006), and then completed four rotations in Germany. His name was Col. William Bernhard. In 2010, he retired—again—at age 79. Needless to say, he kept volunteering, because he was a patriot who knew he could help save lives.
Ken Begley has worked for the IRS and as an accountant, a college director of student financial aid and a newspaper columnist, and he also spent 42 years on active and reserve service with the U.S. Navy and Army. Now retired, Ken likes to spend his time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and as a volunteer with Kentucky’s Marion County Veterans Honor Guard performing last rites at military funerals, including more than 350 during the past three years. Check out Ken’s earlier articles.
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Thanks for this fascinating look into our armed Forces.
Thanks for the info Ken. As a former Naval reservist there was a lot you mentioned I didn’t know or had forgotten.
Very informative column Ken. I too spent a lot of time in the military, 12 active and 26 reserve, retiring the day I turned 60. Your comment about a reserve retirement based on “days” served resonated with me. I’ve always advised other service members that had 10 or more years active duty to finish out their (at least) 20 total years in the reserves. At 10 years active duty, they have already earned a 25% pension – to simply throw that away without considering continuing to serve as a reservist seems shortsighted.
No. 10…
as a retired reservist, you can actually get Tricare before age 60 (in the so called gray area), but you will pay for it. It was actually pretty reasonable… it cost me about $350 a month vs. the $800 cobra would have cost me, and allowed me to retire at age 57 instead of age 60.
“No. 2: If we had a draft, we would be less likely to become involved in armed conflicts.”
An added benefit of the draft is that it was part of the “melting pot”. After a tour in the military, all draftees at least knew how to speak English and had contributed something to society.
No. 8 – reservists get screwed. Not only do they not get full retirement pay (it’s based on drill days… about 6 years of reserve duty make up for 1 year of active duty), but they also don’t get any retirement pay until age 60. They should do one or the other, not both.
I’m not sure what in this article is relevant to personal finance, for a second I thought I was reading the Army Times (though most of the below commenters might not agree).
While most HD articles deal with merely money, this article deals with issues far more important and therefore I feel compelled to openly disagree with its most egregious findings:
No. 2: If we had a draft . . . . The four bloodiest wars in the 20th century all occurred while there was a draft. I’d appreciate some details on how this hypothesis was formulated.
No. 3: The military doesn’t choose . . . So the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (and 500 flag officers) sit behind a sheet of glass that says “Break in case of war”? The Joint Chiefs of Staff are the principal military advisors to the president, if you don’t think they play a key role in choosing which wars to fight, then you are ill-informed.
No. 6: Very few people . . . officially retire. I have to agree with you on this one. According to the Pew Research Center, “About three-in-ten veterans (29%) had combat experience at some point in their military career.” It appears that most combat veterans never see a pension.
No. 7: Military personnel are . . . well compensated. A private in the U.S. Army makes $23,000/year, which I think is quite low considering that they are on the very tip of a very long spear that does some very dirty work. The Army even informs its members they can sign up for food stamps. There is also the issue of squalid housing. Then, if they get injured, they have to turn to the substandard care that is the VA (If I wrote an article about what I learned in my eight years in the Navy, this is a fact I would prominently mention).
Thanks Mike. As a career active duty combat arms officer, I appreciate you giving everyone this perspective.
Ken, Thankyou for your dedicated service with the U.S. military. Referring to #1, a friend of mine was telling me a story regarding the technology that the US military has had for some time that let’s just say is not from this world. While in the Airforce as a pilot trainer, He has first hand knowledge of the transport vehicle and the flyers recovered from that crashed vehicle. He also said that the general public only sees the “B” team and we don’t get to see the “A” team, but the other countries know what are capabilities really are. I know this sounds ridiculous, however just last month there was a senate hearing regarding this very same subject, that was reported that the U.S. gov’t does in fact have in it’s possession technology from “out of town”…I’m not sure what to believe as true…Perhaps the “out of town” technology might be the only deterrent we have left that keeps the nefarious rascals at bay.
#17…I’m shocked, shocked I tell you, to find out that recruiters lie!😉
Thank you for this great, informative piece, Ken; and for your service to our country.
Re the draft and fewer wars, I’d take it a step further to mandatory service for all when they turn 18. No excuses, no waivers. I believe this is done in European countries, and I could see how it might have the effect you describe.
Re who decides to go to war, yes – the military doesn’t get to make that decision. I believe it was Von Clausewitz who summarized it eloquently, thus in his classic, On War: “War is a continuation of policy by other means.”
Re up or out, I had no idea. Interesting.
Re weight checks – presumably this is aimed at ensuring soldiers stay below a target weight? Is there a minimum weight, too? Just curious, as some of us have trouble keeping weight on.
Again, great article – thank you!
My French uncles had compulsory military service but it is no longer required in France or most European countries. When my son went to University of California Berkeley, he was one of eight roommates in a suite, all studying computer science. Two of the students were South Korean and they took courses for 2 years, left in their Junior year to do their compulsory military service and returned about 2 years later to finish their degrees.
Great article. I learned a lot. And I truly appreciate your service. I wish I had served. It’s one of my regrets. I’m in favor of a mandatory service of one or two years to the country. I think it might do us some good. We are a long way from John F. Kennedy’s, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
I was one of the last of the draftees in the early 70’s and my duty station was in Germany. My Dad served as a tank commander under General Patton during WWII and became a POW.
In regards to Ken’s list I would add a couple of bullet points-
When you expect you are going to combat your attention is focused on learning skills, such as how to disassemble and reassemble your weapon, because your life may depend on mastering the skill. I believe such an intense learning experience at a young age is something you carry forward and apply for the rest of your life.
I think those who have served feel a camaraderie for current military and fellow veterans that promotes good citizenship. I attribute some large part of the economic success of the greatest generation after WWII to the large percentage of citizens who served and sacrificed and their families who did the same. As a veteran who did not go to combat I honor all who served but hold a special respect for those who did go to combat. Ken’s point # 1 about a strong military resonates with me.
Hi Ken. Thanks for you service. I just read all of your articles. Great stories and life lessons. I too was cheap. I bought a pickup for 4 grand and drive it for 18 years. I one removed a broken dishwasher but didn’t haul it off right away and decided to fix it and put it back in. My latest cheapness involved thawing out the ice maker once a week for a year. Finally, my wife convinced me to just buy a new one. Even then, I almost bought a bare bones model, but wisely decided to get one a little nicer.
Excellent article. My then 19-year-old Dad was hitchhiking in 1939 and was picked up by a Navy recruiter. The recruiter must have been a great salesman. After a 4-mile ride, Dad signed up for the Navy. That single event set off a chain of events leading to meeting my mother in Boston.
I joined the Navy in Oct. 1971, one year after turning 18. I went to GA State at night while on active duty at the Naval Air Station Atlanta to take the required courses to enter Dental School at the Medical College of GA. My 6 year enlistment ended 1 month after I started Dental School. When a young person at Home Depot tells me “thank you for your service” as I get my 10% Military Discount when checking out, I proudly tell them of my service and make a point to say that I have made more money from my 10% discount than I ever made in the service. I tell them of the base pay at entering as E-1 was $111.00 per month. Of course you got all the food you could eat! I went in a 28″waist and came out 6 yrs. later at 34.” As a Dentist for 41 years, I did see those Gulf War Reservists who came into my office terrified when they were called up. They were told that ANY tooth in their mouth needing ANY treatment would be extracted when they reported, as there would be NO Dental care anywhere near where they would be stationed. My draft lottery number during the Vietnam War was 289, so I was safe from the draft. I JOINED to serve and am SO GLAD I did serve 6 years.
Thanks for your service, Ken. I was in college as the conflict in Viet Nam was ending, but never aspired to be in the military. Both of my sons enlisted. One just left and has embarked on a great new career as a result of his Navy training. My other son is in the Space Force and is pointed towards a long military career and retirement. I’m extraordinarily proud of them both, as they have accomplished so much. They both took advantage of, and have benefitted from, what the military has to offer.
It would be nice if your theory about the draft were true, but I think Korea and Vietnam show it isn’t. I do think a draft is a valuable experience though and everyone should be required in some way to give back to their country, military or otherwise. We have two generations who have not been asked to do one thing for their country except to take in one way or another.
I spent 6 years in the guard including 23 month active duty in 1968-69. Can’t say it was fun, but it was a learning experience in many ways. And it helped me earn money for college too.
I recently read the military is having serious problems meeting recruiting goals. Unless we bury our heads in the global sand, I fear a draft will be necessary to maintain a deterrent.
Respectfully, this idea of “take in one way or another” isn’t my experience. Many people dedicate their lives in this country for decades to make it great. Thank the teachers for their service in making us smarter, the people who invented things that make the world a better place, the life savers in medical care, etc…
Thanks for your service Ken. Fellow military family here, husband 24 yrs active USAF. Retired at 41, pension since that age and started second career in education. Recently under PACT act also received disability benefit. We both retired early and the medical is the reason we could do that. Our son served active Army for his 3.5 yrs and now is full time college student on full GI bill. His military time was difficult but he grew and matured so much it was amazing! Even though it was not fun at the time he looks back on it fondly with no regrets. Before I met my husband I knew nothing about the military, but it has been great for me and my family.
26 years active duty USAF for me and I strongly disagree with #2. There is no way I would support a draft so politicians and generals can open the pipeline for an unlimited amount of young people to be used as cannon fodder. I joined during Vietnam when the war and the draft tore apart our country. So, nope on #2.
But the theory is that a draft (with no college deferments) would deter precisely the outcome you fear. As Ken put it, “If we had a draft, we would be less likely to become involved in armed conflicts.” I agree. Ruling class elites would be far less likely to launch military interventions in foreign lands if their own sons and daughters risked being used as “cannon fodder” (to use your apt term).
I don’t get the one about dental issues. If a blind guy can stay on active duty for 11 more years and a doctor in his 70s can get deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, why can’t someone with gum issues or cavities go to the Persian Gulf?
Ken, thanks for the interesting article, and thanks for your many years of service. I never served in the military, but I spent a significant part of my career working on systems that supported the mission (point #1). I’m not sure how well it is understood that our country spends a lot money to limit collateral damage, and to keep our troops safe.
Great article ! So, I guess that Rambo and his movies, are just a bit fictionalized? Firing his M60 machine gun, taking out half of the enemy, while he never runs short of ammo, the barrel never needs to be swapped, etc. Thank you for your service!
In 1971 I enlisted for the draft as my lottery number was low and my local draft board advised that I was to be called within months. So, I decided to speed-up the process. After Army basic training I was assigned for Military Police duty (95B). After MP training i was shipped to W Germany. I only spent 21 months in the service since I was released early to attend college (early out and GI Bill). Those 21 months proved to be a rewarding experience. Going into the Army changed the entire direction of my life for the better. I am forever grateful for the opportunity my government gave to me to serve my country and improve the rest of my life as well.
Great post shipmate! To that I will add to #3 that the military is apolitical. On #9, unintentional or intentional pregnancy also takes the lady fighters out of the fight. I spoke this truth as a mildoc and got my hand slapped. That’s the new gender equality reality.
“Lady fighter”? I suppose you were a gentleman fighter?
Good article, Ken. When I first started work as as a PT, many of my older male patients had served in WWII. I came to a new appreciation for their service while listening to their stories, and for the other generations of vets today. Thank you for yours. I once knew a man who had served as a tug boat captain in the Navy in WWII and Korea, then for the Army in Viet Nam. I expect we’ll read how you came to wear two uniforms?
Thanks for your informative post. I do appreciate knowing about the military career options and stats.
I’m particularly unsettled about this $30.7 Trillion debt, especially with rising interest rates. I know the suggestion is that Politicians are to blame. Those rascals are hard to discipline.
Ike said “Beware of the industrial military complex” 62 years ago. I’m guessing they might be involved in this scheme as well.
I hope we can stay afloat