Doing 20

[thumper]

Anyone know what percentage of aviators stick around past their initial obligation? I heard that about 1 in 3 make O-4 and stay through to retirement. Are the numbers the same for the Marine Corps? How about between the different airframes?

 

[OracleMSU]

All I know is that if I get accepted, I'll go as far as the Navy will let me.

They'll have to "encourage" me to leave.

My uncle was "encouraged" to leave early after he was denied O-5 twice. He has been bored and uninterested with every job he has ever had since.

Wishes he had kissed some butt or something at this point.

 

[Thisguy]

I wouldn't worry about that. Numbers can change drastically between now and then, but I'm pretty sure more than 1 in 3 make LCDR. MSU's example is a good one, except if you get passed over twice now, you aren't "encouraged", you're done.

I know alot of people are driven by the 1/2 pay after 20, but if that's your motivation, it's going to be a long 20 years. You may think you're going career, but a lot can happen between now and then.

 

[OracleMSU]

On that note of being passed over twice, are there people that never make Lt?

 

[Thisguy]

On that note of being passed over twice, are there people that never make Lt?

About the only way you can be denied LT is if you take a crap on your skipper's desk, or try to maliciously kill someone. LTJG and LT are automatic, especially in aviation, because you won't hit the fleet until you're a JG. You go up for LCDR at the 10 year point.

 

[H20man]

my dad who was in for 32 years was telling me the other day, basically to get LT, all you need is a pulse, as long as you dont do anything stupid, like guy said.

 

[spr]

What is the 1/2 pay after 20 years ThisGuy was talking about?

 

[DairyCreamer]

I suspect it's a reference to your pension after serving 20 years in the military... supposedly 50% of your pre-retirement salary. I figured government pensions were a little more than that though?

~Nate

What is the 1/2 pay after 20 years ThisGuy was talking about?

 

[Thisguy]

I suspect it's a reference to your pension after serving 20 years in the military... supposedly 50% of your pre-retirement salary. I figured government pensions were a little more than that though?

~Nate

Nothing supposedly about it. After 20 years, you get 50% of your base pay (no allowances or special pays). With each year after that tacking on 2.5% for a maximum of 75% after 30 years.

As for gov't pensions being higher, what are you comparing to? You can't get jack after 20 years in the civilian sector. Firemen and cops get 50% after 20.

 

[olpa9901]

i think civillian air traffic controllers are better then 50%, but i'm willing to be wrong on that.

 

[Daedalus]

I read it was 40% at 20 60% at 30, on something official looking recently

 

[Thisguy]

I read it was 40% at 20 60% at 30, on something official looking recently

If you're talking military, that's the marines.

 

[Daedalus]

Yes, thats it, so is it different in the Navy even though it is the same dept? How does that go down?

 

[NeoCortex]

civillian air traffic controllers

There's no such thing. They all work for the Government.

 

[phrogdriver]

There was a time when they reduced it to 40% at 20, but it was so unpopular, they basically brought back the old system. The whole military is on the same plan--50% at 20, plus 2 1/2% for every year thereafter to a max of 75% at 30 years. Most people don't make 30, either by choice, or by missing 2 promotions by that time. As an officer, you'd have to make O-6 to make 30 w/out enlisted time.