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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Army Pensions
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Question
Dear sir,
My father was career army before he discharged. He was in the service during WWII and out before Viet Nam, because he did not want to leave my mom alone as he went overseas. His job was sending supplies and setting up for officers. When he left the service, he was set up with an army pension that has been supporting him since retirement. My question: will today's generation of soldiers from Desert Storm and the recent Police Action in Iraq have identical benefits when they reach retirement?
Greetings William -
Although the details for calculating retirement pay has changed a bit since your father's time, the basic benefits are still there: If you give Uncle Sam 20 years of your life to military service, you can retire with a minimum of 50% of your basic pay. There is also health insurance coverage at a VERY reasonable rate.
I would suggest you contact a recruiter to give you more details of the retirement program.
Good luck on your future.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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Answers by Expert:
James Bell
Expertise
I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.
Experience
Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager
Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.
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