Archives for April 2013

Military Retirement From The Individual Ready Reserve

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: February 5, 2019 25 Comments

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(Note: At the end of this post I've linked every major article on this blog with information about the Reserves and Guard: serving, benefits, separating, and retiring. Some of the reader questions may apply to only a few servicemembers or retirees, but I've included all of them. Please let me know if you have questions, advice, or your own … [Read more...] about Military Retirement From The Individual Ready Reserve

Ask the Readers: Returning to Duty After Military Retirement?

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 11, 2019 5 Comments

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I occasionally get a question that I can't answer on my own, and this one is of general interest to many of us. Can you help this military retiree with an instruction reference or a website? Here's their question: I retired from the Army and Army Reserve after a total of 29 years. Six of those years were active duty. 11 of those years I was … [Read more...] about Ask the Readers: Returning to Duty After Military Retirement?

Total Pay: How much will your next paycheck be?

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 11, 2019 4 Comments

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During my active-duty days, we used to have a frequent conversation around Hale Nords: "So what's your pay going to be now?" "Well, let's see. I'm on the promotion message, I just got a longevity raise, I'm getting submarine pay, I'm eligible for sea pay again, and the new housing & cost of living allowance rates are out. My paycheck should … [Read more...] about Total Pay: How much will your next paycheck be?

Guest Post Wednesday: “You’ve Been SERB’d!”

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 11, 2019 11 Comments

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This guest post is brought to you by an Army officer who's been voluntold for the Selective Early Retirement Board. For you younger readers who've never heard of such a heinous process, the drawdown military is partyin' like it's 1994 all over again. (If you're interested in contributing a guest post, please see our guest posting … [Read more...] about Guest Post Wednesday: “You’ve Been SERB’d!”

Lifestyles in Hawaii: Hawaii Island (the Big Island)

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: February 10, 2019

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Let's take your mind off your tax returns for a more interesting fantasy subject. A reader writes: "Hi Nords - my spouse and I are thinking of moving to the Big Island for early retirement. I spent time working in Hawaii during my career and absolutely loved it. We are thinking of taking a risk and moving to an area designated lava flow 2 … [Read more...] about Lifestyles in Hawaii: Hawaii Island (the Big Island)

Reserve Military Pension for “Discharge” Instead of “Retired Awaiting Pay”

"Am I eligible for a military retirement?" A reader writes: "I hope you can answer my question, or point me to more information. After more than 20 years in the Army National Guard, including a year of deployment in Iraq and numerous temporary home-station full-time orders, I went into the IRR. I was caring for an elderly parent and could no … [Read more...] about Reserve Military Pension for “Discharge” Instead of “Retired Awaiting Pay”

Reserve Military Retirement For Active-Duty Veterans With Previous Reserve Or National Guard Service

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: February 5, 2019 7 Comments

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Thanks to David McDonald for sending the comment that led to this post! This information applies to only a handful of veterans, but it may earn them a military retirement. You could be affected if you were in the Reserves or National Guard and then went on to serve an active-duty service obligation (more than a mobilization). Servicemembers … [Read more...] about Reserve Military Retirement For Active-Duty Veterans With Previous Reserve Or National Guard Service

Military Retirement Lessons Learned

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 11, 2019 21 Comments

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A friend's spouse retired from the military a little over a year ago, and I asked them to review "The Military Guide". This relatively new retiree has a shadowbox full of awards and medals. They didn't make E-9 (or O-9) but they were on the short list. Their military pension is well into five figures. A typical bridge career for their résumé of … [Read more...] about Military Retirement Lessons Learned

Military Benefits After One Enlistment (part 2 of 2)

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: February 12, 2019 2 Comments

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(If you've found this page from a search engine, you'll want to read the first part of this two-part post.) This post answers the rest of a reader's question: "I was curious whether there are any benefits for people who got an honorable discharge after finishing the six-year obligation they signed up for but chose to not stay in until military … [Read more...] about Military Benefits After One Enlistment (part 2 of 2)