Thursday marked 8 years active duty. Fantastic 8 years overall. Next year marks first test for Chief’s Board so we have a goal.

Signature updated!

Best of luck to you! I hope you make Chief!

The second 10 years goes by faster than you think. I retired from the USAF with 20 years and 3 days.

Thank you for your service!

Congratulations James. I’m glad you’re a year closer to that goal.

When are you headed back to Korea?

We didn’t have boards in the CG when I was in. Just a service wide exam and then we had to wait for an opening(someone retiring). And you had to have your COs endorsement.

There were 13 ships with GMCs and 15-17 shore billets. When I took my first service wide for GMC I knew every one of the Chiefs and all of them had ten years left before retiring. I wrote #1 for four years in a row and couldn’t advance. I left active duty and joined the reserves and picked up GMC in a year or two.

I wish you luck. I know the Navy structure is much larger so hopefully you will pick up the anchor quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Congratulations James. I’m glad you’re a year closer to that goal.

When are you headed back to Korea?

As soon as I can get out of Maryland, likely Nov 2024.

Jesus. 2024 is a long time. I’ve been to Baltimore. For two days. No more necessary.

As long as your kids don’t have to go to public school there.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Jesus. 2024 is a long time. I’ve been to Baltimore. For two days. No more necessary.

As long as your kids don’t have to go to public school there.

I’m lucky enough to have the kids on base, this Baltimore DC stretch is just not my area. Without even saying anything negative it just doesn’t fit me. Grass is always greener and after 6 years outside CONUS I was ready to be back. But that was 6 months ago lol, Korea is calling again.

Korea also has a much more rewarding mission for me so that plays a huge part.

Oddly enough I’ve been to AZ twice since February, next time I’ll have to make time to swing by!

Peacetime rank advancement in the military can be tough and long time coming...Personally made E_6 Staff Sgt in under three years (1973) due to Drill Sgt status (00F40). But by the time getting out had enough time in grade for E-7 Sgt 1st Class but was still short by several more years on the time in service requirement for promotion . Also the job skill aka MOS and authorized placement slots can come into play which could be immedate .... Ended up with 9 1/2 active duty US Army. ........................ drill sgt.

Congratulations. We are on almost the same track. I work for a state law enforcement agency and am coming up on 8 years. At 10 years you are vested with a pension and your health insurance paid at 50% for the rest of your life if you leave state service; it is paid 100% while employed. If I make it to 20 years, another 12, then I will have a much better pension and health insurance paid 100% for the rest of my life. My wife did over 20 years of state service and now works in the private sector. In 3 years she will be able to start getting her pension and then her health insurance will be free for the rest of her life. I did it wrong and worked in the private sector first and then went public.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

Oddly enough I’ve been to AZ twice since February, next time I’ll have to make time to swing by!

We have a pretty nice guest room that you’re welcome to. Most of the food here is Korean as well, so you’ll probably feel right at home.

Best of luck sir.

The wife's unit is Korea. She went right before Covid. Dam good food.

Spent a year on Ft Meade and that area kinda grew on me. Also good food, fun bars, etc. DC sucks though.

Good progress, just keep rowing and you'll get there. I'm planning to retire on 1 March 2025, which will put me a bit over 22 years of active duty. It can't come soon enough...