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There's things to consider when retiring in the Philippines, like not the best of quality Health care.
If you don't have medical coverage or can't afford it, then its a risk most will take. Medical costs in the Philippines are very cheap compared to the USA.
But if your receiving Tricare health care benefits its best to use it in a country that has quality health care to truly benefit from it.
The stories I have heard from medical services there are quite scary, and some life threatening, were patients ended up going to Guam to get treated for the misdiagnosed/malpractice incident that happened to them. I know of one individual personally that the doctor told them that if they had waited 1 more week, they would of died!
Your last year start applying for government jobs both federal and state if nothing pans re-enlist. I got out of AD at 15 because I got a Civil service job with my state while finishing up in the reserves. After I retired from the reserves I started working for the feds. Now I get a partial retirement from the state (I was vested) and my miliatary time counts towards my fed time. If all goes as planned when I hit 62 I should be collecting from the state, the fed, the military and social security.
Hi. Don’t be afraid to separate at your 12 years mark. I did it, and I have no regrets about it. The economy is not the best out there, but there is nothing worse than staying in a job that does not motivate you anymore. Just don’t waste your time when you get out. Go straight to school. I am sure that you can survive with whatever unemployment benefits you receive, and also with the cash giving by your GI Bill. When I got out I was going full time to school, and believe me, I was making more CASH than when I was AD. My school tuition was fully paid (in New York City), on top of that I got $2,700 BAH every month as long as I was enrolled full time in school, and I got my unemployment benefits for 6 months. If you ever were injured or got sick while in the military, for which you had any, I mean, ANY sequel, please, do not underestimate it. Get advice from a Veteran Benefits Specialist. You could be entitled to some military disability compensation benefits, (minimum $300 tax-free per month) or at least free medical care for life. Do your homework, and start this process at least 9 months before you separate. I saw my first disability check 6 months after I got out. As a single guy, I am positive that you will make really well once you leave the service. Just be positive and set your goals. Good luck brother!
At only 30 years of age, stick it out. Re-evaluate things and perhaps change your outlook about military service. You can get bored in civilian life too.
You have a lot of options in the military, seek them out.
In another 10 short years you'll be very glad you stuck it out. Unless you have a really good plan for what you'd do after the sep, you could easily find yourself in the same situation you are now. Then what?
It is interesting to see how many servicemembers leave without first getting at least one degree.
The in-service benefits are astounding if one just seeks them out. I've always found that boring is what you make something, rarely is it that way by itself.
The resources available in the military will do so much for the service member that makes known their motivations and ambitions for self betterment. I know sometimes the rut can show up but that can be shaken off. When you see this kind of thing and a service sep ensues, it is almost always for lack of a plan and the motivation to execute it. Planning can make all the difference.
I did similar to Art2ro above. I was in the Navy with 11.5 years. Got out and joined the reserves. Got a job in federal civil service and worked on a lot of ships. Used G.I. bill in the evenings and got a bachelors degree. Made E-8 in USNR. Was commissioned as a W-2 USNR. Got called up for 1 year of Desert Storm; got more retirement points. Retired W4 w/ 30years, good retirement. Retired at a nice GS rating from civil service; another good retirement. Am also receiving a social security check, not too bad.
I had a lot of fun and a lot of adventures. I raised 2 fine sons but had to go through divorce. Trying to juggle evening college, working (sometimes on the road), Navy reserves, and my family was too much.
It is interesting to see how many servicemembers leave without first getting at least one degree.
To be fair, it's next to impossible to get a good education and degree on Active Duty unless you get sent to one of the Academies or ROTC.
I know the thread is old, but there is nothing wrong with quitting at 12 years. One thing no one talks about is the cost of losing 8-10 years of civilian work experience if you stay til retirement.
I work with a ton of retirees that get sent to the entry level jobs and are answering to the bosses who got out 15 years earlier. It's something I think most people over look.
To be fair, it's next to impossible to get a good education and degree on Active Duty unless you get sent to one of the Academies or ROTC.
Your experiences and mine were certainly very different.
Within the community where I served, if a servicemember was not taking a few STEM college courses it was a clear sign that he was not trying to advance.
On my first boat, it was common for each officer with a Phd to teach classes during every deployment. At that time, it was seen as beneficial for their resumes.
If you know that you will be deployed for 7 months every year, it is very reasonable to plan to take a few courses.
Quote:
... I know the thread is old, but there is nothing wrong with quitting at 12 years. One thing no one talks about is the cost of losing 8-10 years of civilian work experience if you stay til retirement.
I work with a ton of retirees that get sent to the entry level jobs and are answering to the bosses who got out 15 years earlier. It's something I think most people over look.
If your plan is to go back into the workforce, after you have retired, then I guess that might happen.
Such a case would make an argument to avoid the military entirely. If you refuse to retire until your 65 or 72, or something.
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