So I have everything set to go officer but im catching alot of heat from my family and friends(Mostly civilian) on what im doing would basically be committing a huge financial mistake. I am currently 27 making 110K a year plus a 20-30k bonus(have not received it yet because i just started) living in a paid off house. I just got the job a couple months ago and already am on great terms with all the big C-suite fellas and by the looks i can hit 200K+ within a couple years pretty easy.
However, I really want to serve and from the looks of it as an O1 id still be making pretty decent money like 4k ish a month? I didnt think much of it until people started saying im dumb for leaving a great job to serve especially when the job market is this bad. I wanted to go officer to lead and set a great example for those beneath me the constant nagging by those around are making me double guess.
Am i really making a big mistake financially sacrificing my civilian career to serve? It was my understanding that officer pay is pretty decent but people tell me its still not enough.
Am i making a financial mistake by going officer?
byu/neednmoremoney inMilitaryFinance
Posted by neednmoremoney
6 Comments
Don’t do it. This is coming from a MAJ who commissioned in AUG 2011, up for LTC board in 2027. Don’t do it. Stay the civilian course.
What about Reserves?
Reassess in 3 or so years.
Does your spouse work?
How important is geographic stability?
For what it’s worth, you can have substantial financial success in the military. A lot boils down to behavior.
Go Guard or Reserve.
If you ignore this advice DO NOT RESIGN. By USERRA protects up to a 5 year absence and applies to active duty as well as Guard and Reserve
This is an emotional decision with financial implications. I mean you’re 27 making over 6 figures with a paid off house. If you haven’t found self-fulfillment yet then I doubt you will with a uniform. Don’t get me wrong you will find a purpose in the military, whether or not that it’s the one you want isn’t really up to you.
I would suggest you speak with a therapist or mentor before you go to a recruiter’s office. You should never join the military for the paycheck if you have an alternative option.
Is this financially the best decision. Doesn’t sound like it. But what are you trying to gain from it? Are you going to do the full 20 and get the pension or are you just trying to do your initial contract? Because if the latter why are you stopping all the momentum you have right now in your current career?