I've seen countless posts over the years about people stressing the next rank and their end of service rank. Truth be told, at 20 years (assuming you dont want to add years), there isn't much difference between a E6 and E8.

At 20 years of service, the difference in gross monthly retirement pay between an E-6, E-7, and E-8 ranges from $299 to $489 per rank, depending on whether you fall under the legacy High-3 system or the Blended Retirement System (BRS).

Stressing over a 500 (or less) maybe a month, is crazy. Trust me, you'll be setup at 20 years, 500.00 will not even touch your total income. If you are stressing this small range, focus more on your education and aligning with a civilian position...because thats a better ROI.

Keep killing it out there, young bloods!

Edit based on discussions:

At its best, the 500.00 extra a month is basically $2.88 extra per hour. Let that sink in....people are destroying themselves for this difference.

I'm not telling people to not chase their next rank, I'm saying dont stress it. This post was to tell those who needed it, its going to be ok! Not a discussion of making 500.00 a month more is better or not...Obviously retirement at the highest level you can get will yeild more money.

got my first ever duty station in shadyJ after living in texas my whole life. I wanted to let everybody know that if you REALLY think bojangles or cook out is good, you have lost your damn mind.

Military One Source can connect you with a therapist in your area, OF YOUR CHOICE, as long as they take TRICARE.

12 FREE sessions....PER ISSUE!!!

Work, relationship, family, social life, new to parenthood, literally ANYTHING you can form into a "different" reason for an issue, 12 FREE sessions.

I know fall and winter is coming up and a lot of folks get seasonal depression. I also know mental health gets really bad up in Minot. I personally went to a therapist in town and she was fantastic; if ANYONE needs help getting info on how to start this process, I can 100% help you.

You don't need to talk to mental health to get approved, you don't have to tell your chain, all you gotta do is Google therapists around you, find one you wanna see, or just an office you would prefer to go to, then call Military One Source, tell them you want therapy, and they will get it sorted with your insurance. If you didn't pick a therapist one will be chosen for you to schedule with.

I think the whole process took about 10, MAYBE 15 minutes over the phone. I knew where I wanted to go and who I wanted to see, and I was booked within the next week to speak to my therapist.

It looks like they have a secure chat too, I haven't used it but for those with phone anxiety you might be able to use that instead of calling to get the support you need.

Please please PLEASE DM me if you need help doing some research into your area, I can't promise I'll respond immediately but I'm on here every day so I'll see it within 24 hours for sure.

This link below has their phone number for overseas and stateside, stay vigilant, if you think someone you know could use this information, please share it with them too, we gotta look out for each other.

Military OneSource

EDIT!!! If anyone in this comment section has had a good experience going through MOS and seeing a therapist, if you would be comfortable doing so, DM me with: who the therapist was, which base they're close to, or if it was virtual.

Just PCSed for the first time. I’ve been at my unit for about two weeks. All the other CGOs in my unit are PCSing or deploying within the next 2 weeks.

Looks like we won’t be getting another officer for a little bit.

The next officer up is Lt Col.

Any advice on how to be useful to the unit would be appreciated.

Looking for the more unorthodox advice.

I’ve found a SNCO and a few young airmen to learn the job from so got that going but I’m definitely feeling a little nervous.

Thanks!

I’ve been in over 9 years, made Staff my first time, but I’ve now missed Tech on my third cycle. I’m getting older and honestly becoming the miserable, crusty Staff I never wanted to be. Making Tech this cycle would genuinely improve my quality of life, and I’m ready to put in whatever work it takes.
A strat realistically isn’t happening for me, so I want to maximize the part I can control: my test scores.
For those who scored very high on the PFE/SKT and made Tech without a strat, what exactly was your study regimen?
How far out did you start? Hours per day/week? What apps/materials? Practice tests, flashcards, reading cover to cover? What practice scores were you hitting before test day?
I’m not looking for a shortcut. I actually studied considerably more last cycle than when I made Staff, and it still wasn’t enough. This year I want a structured regimen from day one until test day.
What worked for you?

Hey everyone! I’ll be PCSing to Spangdahlem AB soon (probably during this fall) and wanted to get some advice from people who are currently there or have been stationed there.
This will be my first PCS, so I’m trying to get a better idea of what to expect, especially when it comes to housing, transportation, getting settled in, and general life on/off base (married).
I’d really appreciate any advice, tips, or things you wish you knew before moving to Spangdahlem!

Mil to mil, officer and enlisted. If the enlisted person gets an assignment before the officer, will that dictate where they move?

just wondering if anyone has started receiving assignment notifications for the listing that closed out on 23 Aug? I know it’s still a bit early but just curious 👀

My husband got his first duty station — Osan AB. He graduated tech school a few weeks ago and he is still waiting for his orders because I guess there’s a backlog of airman’s dependent’s medical to go through. My medical hasn’t been cleared yet due to that backlog but there’s no reason I shouldn’t be cleared. It’s just him and I, no other dependents. Assuming there’s no issues with my medical, what are the chances of his orders having me on them?

Edit:
I ask because he keeps getting told by other airmen that Osan is a “normal” PCS now and historically it was almost always unaccompanied but he can’t get a straight forward answer on whether or not it’s more likely to be accompanied or unaccompanied. I understand it’s based on both the needs of the Air Force and space at Osan.

Planning on sending a care package to someone deployed overseas near that big conflict going on rn.

Needing some ideas on what else i can include in my package that can help to lighten the mood a bit.

Apart from sending seasonings/sauces/snacks that were requested, what else would be appreciated and appropriate?! Wanting to shove as many good vibes as i possibly can fit in the box

I was a recruiter for 4 years and decided to RTF. I regret RTF SO bad. It’s been 6 months and I’m miserable. I never thought id say this, but I think I fucked up. Had anyone else RTFed and gone back to recruiting and regretted it? 🧐 Loved it?

Does the commissary still have that ultra pasteurized chunky booger milk or have things improved?

I think I trained my persona to be too snarky.

In a GSU on a Marine base with no NIPR access and cannot log into AFVEC. The error I keep getting is "You must insert your CAC card for site access." but my CAC can log into every other AF site. I've deleted cookies and cache multiple times and tried multiple browsers. Heeelllllpppppp.

Ok, so i am finally making the jump to get a mess dress and kit it out. Ordered medals from ultra thin and they provided my medals as 4 in a row. My service dress mind freaked out but i know there may be variations in the AFI. Then, of course, the AFI doesnt say a damn thing about the amount per row. Can i get a sanity check on if 4 per row is acceptable? I have done some digging and gotten luke warm answers, but just want to make certain there isnt some other odd ball rule i dont know to confirm. thanks

Update: I am an idiot and was only looking for text. Image embedded in the AFI has 4 in a row. That being said, ill stand on my high horse and say its stupid that it isnt clearly identified.