Am I spoiled or truly burned out?

[barnakiel]

I think it is only up to whether you like to retire or not. Feel the force. Then follow it.

37 is early and you may (or may not) miss professional, creative activity after you get some rest. Often people retire early then they get more itch.

2000 a month is maybe not much where you live but it is quite a sum in many places. You can get a small (or not) boat and sail it to a less expensive place. Keep on investing the balance towards better cash flows tomorrow.

I retired at 35 and that was a most unfortunate (financially-wise) decision. If I waited another 10 years, I would not have to work anymore. BUT I would do the same thing again: all the places we visited over last 12 years, all the emotion and the adventure and the people we met. Priceless.

Some of my ex fellow workers died meanwhile.

Swimming in the ocean is better than swimming in a pool. To me. To each their own.

Good luck in making your decisions. (And do not overthink it, after all we are not fully in charge of our own fate). Ride hard or stay home.

Cheers,
b.

[Lizzy Belle]

Please forgive me if I'm stupid here - I have no clue how the US Army works. But I see a lot of comments assuming that, if OP retires now, he will never work a day in his life again.

Which leaves me wondering: why not? Is he not allowed to do as he pleases after leaving / retiring?
I know several people who were stuck, got out early, and enjoyed a part time job they loved, or started their own (small) business etc.

[reed1v]

Army retiree just like any other retiree. Just that some folks who spent 30 years in the military get enough pension monies to not have to work anymore.

In fact a military retiree friend of mine went to your country, set up a cat house in A-dam, and is making good money on top of her retirement pay.

[jrbogie]

Originally Posted by ArmySailor

Hi Folks, Lifelong cruisersforum lurker here. I've seen the "should I stay or should I go" questions a bergillion times, so I'll spare you that. Decision hath been decided upon by the decider....me. I'm going to buy a boat (of appropriate size, simplicity, and fit for purpose). I've been out and about enough to know I do actually enjoy the life. Blah blah blah.



The crossroads I’m at is dealing with retirement and whether I should go *now*. I’m in a peculiar situation of being able to enter “semi retirement in 1.5 years at age 37”. Since age 22 I have literally lived on half my income and invested the other half, so have significant investments to leech from. It has been a painful road, and I’ve sacrificed a lot in life to save this much


Option A) If I enter semi retirement, I could work 2-4 days in Houston TX. This would put me living in a marina in/around seabrook, clear lake, etc. It would tether me there so my actual sailing time between work would be limited to 2-3 weeks at a time. I figure 2-3 weeks is plenty time to have a loose schedule of getting somewhere in the gulf rim, hanging around and meeting people, and then sailing back for work. (in addition to sailing, I have PLENTY of other hobbies I want to indulge in during semi retirement, not least of which is spending quality time with family)


If I do this, I’ll be on a modest budget. (~2000-2500 a month). I do have a kitty in reserve to pay for major repairs, a new car in a few years, blah blah blah. But I'll have to be careful with that budget. very careful. It has to last until age 60.



With this modest budget, I don’t want to waste it on an apartment. So I plan to live on the boat. Novel idea here, I know! lol. I have the luxury of simply amazing parents, who are 2 hours away from Houston TX who are the most awesome people ever. I can actually live part time there and store all my stuff (all my earthly goods fit into a truck, seriously. Except for crappy craigslist furniture.



As a side note, since I’m single, I’m certain that living on a boat and sometimes sleeping at my parents house will make me a TOTALLY eligible bachelor. I know. Lol. But hey it’s the life I want.


Anyway. Option B)


Slave away for 7 more years. Full retirement at age 43. Money will be no object at that point. With my investments, still growing for 6 more years and full active duty retirement I will be able to buy a house, indulge in a few nice things (though my wants are very limited) and critically, I won’t be tethered to Houston TX. So the world is my oyster. Which would you choose? Oh....the catch....



Catch: I hate my job. Don’ misread me – I LOVE serving my country. I love Soldiers. I love doing good things and making the Army better every day. However….it’s crazy stressful. I’m a senior officer, and I’m just….burned out. The work is 24/7 I push myself to excel in my job. I could do it for another 7 years. I could. But I move every 2-3 years, I work through weekends, I deal with red tape constantly, and I just get the life sucked out of me where it’s no longer fulfilling most of the time. Summary: My blackberry is the anchor to my soul. Sigh.

I'm just tired of waiting. Life and health are promised to no man. Or woman.

Should I drop the full time work shenanigans, give up a "plussed up" retirement, or cut back to one weekend a month, live off dividends and that modest paycheck on the boat. Time or money. My life or my mental anguish.



(final note: Yes, I know there are those of you that may think "7 years is nothing!" But again, i've been "putting off" my life and sacrificing everything forever now. 7 years is a long time to keep doing all the the army requires me to do. )

nothing's forever. sounds like your world won't come apart if you chose to retire now and it doesn't feel right later. when life gets boring, risk it. good luck.

[John Drake]

Army,

Navy O-5, former XO....have been exactly where you are. And beyond. STAY in and get the 20.

There is NOTHING like the security of a steady income. NOTHING even close to the retirement package you get. You would have to make A LOT of cash and do very well investing to come close to the comfort you will have.

The place you are at now is awful...I know exactly what you are going through. 24/7, tons of paper, just to make the guy above you look good and the people below you get to do some good things. BUT....it does get better. IT WILL get better. One more step up (rank or position) and it will all be OK.

You are never burned out. You resilient and will overcome. If you do not like the job you are doing...do something completely different. Do a tour as a recruiter, be an instructor somewhere, an advisor, trainer...anything.

[note: stay as far away from DC as possible]

Keep looking forward. Next tour, next place. Keep the end goal in your
mind, 24/7. Getting to 20.

Being fully retired in your 40's, with money in the bank, full medical benefits and a steady check in the mail, is like magic. You will have truly enduring freedom, and likely, endless possibilities....as a 20 yr, senior officer is highly valued, if only for his or her rolodex. Milk that for a couple years and then bolt. At 50, you will have half your life left to live, still be an eligible bachelor (until you hit 60 ....and have unquestioned economic freedom.

Leave now...and you will be constantly trying to save money, and needing to reinvent yourself in order to survive and unstable economy....with no guarantee of success.

Relax, chill, breathe, STAY. And stop looking at sailing mags....they are nothing but boat porn. Adopt some hobbies and interests you can do where you are.

OK.

[BHI_Guy]

Hi Army Sailor, I can relate. I was an officer in the Army for seven years. Once worked for a guy in Germany who insisted on six days a week at the office, starting no later than 6:15AM, and his daily staff meeting typically started at 7PM and lasted until 9PM. On Saturdays we were allowed to come in late at 8AM. I was also in Ranger Battalion, and honestly that was an easier life.

Anyway, here's the thing - if you are a senior officer (LTC or COL, I guess?), can you be forced into retirement before 43? Or separated? If not, back off on work commitments to a solid 8 hour day. That's not slacking, that just a reasonable work schedule, as long as you are productive during those 8 hours. I actually face something similar in my current job, and I have decided to do no more than 8 hours a day, since I will be able to retire in about 18 months.

By the way, like you in early days I saved 50% of my income, but that changed when I got married....;-) Nonetheless, I have always saved at least 20% of income, and usually 25%. Fortunately, my wife has similar frugal instincts.

I agree with others who say see a financial planner, but not one of the ones that sells investments. Never, never pay commission. Fee for service, like $500 sounds about right but if you have investments at Vanguard use them, and also use USAA. Try to get three separate opinions if possible. Be realistic about expenses in retirement on the boat.

And good luck! I on active duty in the '80's, and I was in the Reserves only briefly after 9/11, but I have lots of friends who were deployed, and it's been tough sledding for guys in the military. I respect you staying with it this long.

[Juho]

Seven years in a job that you definitely don't like doesn't sound like a sound option to me. I think it would make sense to seek at least some "quarter retirement" position. I have no idea if that is possible for you. Staying in your current position might be no good for all involved parties, including your family and your employer. Maybe they understand your position, and you can find and agree on something better with them, or maybe with some other employer. Or maybe your semi retirement option is already the best possible alternative you can find. If so, I might consider that option. I note also that it may be possible for you to earn some more money one way or another even if you make cruising your primary mode of existence.

[John Drake]

ps - sure, 7 years seems like a lot, if you have it in your head that you are putting off your life. You need to stop thinking that and start living the life you want.

Figure out what your center is and go and do it. Yes, the job is 24/7, but you can still have a life. Adopt hobbies, interests and pursuits that match the schedule you have and the place you are at.

You want to sail, be race crew for a boat on weekends.
You want to cruise, get a ham radio license and set up a rig
Since you are Army....GO TO THE RANGE and get some GSR therapy in. If you are not doing that...start NOW. Get a SIG, a 1911 or a Glock and start hitting the range on a weekly basis.
If you have not done this already, take the Motorcycle safety course, get your license and buy a bike.

Do not delay.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by John Drake

Army,

Navy O-5, former XO....have been exactly where you are. And beyond. STAY in and get the 20.

There is NOTHING like the security of a steady income. NOTHING even close to the retirement package you get. You would have to make A LOT of cash and do very well investing to come close to the comfort you will have.

The place you are at now is awful...I know exactly what you are going through. 24/7, tons of paper, just to make the guy above you look good and the people below you get to do some good things. BUT....it does get better. IT WILL get better. One more step up (rank or position) and it will all be OK.

You are never burned out. You resilient and will overcome. If you do not like the job you are doing...do something completely different. Do a tour as a recruiter, be an instructor somewhere, an advisor, trainer...anything.

[note: stay as far away from DC as possible]

Keep looking forward. Next tour, next place. Keep the end goal in your
mind, 24/7. Getting to 20.

Being fully retired in your 40's, with money in the bank, full medical benefits and a steady check in the mail, is like magic. You will have truly enduring freedom, and likely, endless possibilities....as a 20 yr, senior officer is highly valued, if only for his or her rolodex. Milk that for a couple years and then bolt. At 50, you will have half your life left to live, still be an eligible bachelor (until you hit 60 ....and have unquestioned economic freedom.

Leave now...and you will be constantly trying to save money, and needing to reinvent yourself in order to survive and unstable economy....with no guarantee of success.

Relax, chill, breathe, STAY. And stop looking at sailing mags....they are nothing but boat porn. Adopt some hobbies and interests you can do where you are.

OK.

See above statement, I concur


I retired as a CW3 with 20 yrs, 6 months and 5 days in. You are in the tough years, truthfully it doesn't get easier maybe even tougher to stay in, but you do see the light at the end of the tunnel when you get close enough.
I looked at as I wasn't going to give the ****** x numbers of years and get nothing in return. Funny thing is it will turn around on you, it may be tough to get out. Last few years I let my desire to retire be known and told my rater to not give me a top block OER, but it was still a little tough to get passed over, didn't review my promotion OER support form and did no take a DA photo, that sent the message and I got passed over, twice and was forced to retire. Oh no, not the brier patch

Anyway as above, once retired you will become very appreciative of that check every month for the rest of your life, yours would more than cover your expected expenses, forever.


Sent from my iPad Pro using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Bobarris]

Ann T Cate, could you explain briefly what you mean by 'burnout drives your brain chemistry loco, and successful treatment requires chemical intervention'? What exactly is the brain chemistry that goes loco, how does it go loco, and how does chemical intervention successfully treat it? Many thanks.

[SailFastTri]

This has to be a very personal decision but that fixed income will decline in buying power over the years, as the cost of living increases.


You will also find that your 2-3 week travel window will not be adequate to keep the sense of adventure, you'll find your favorite places and they'll become familiar.

[Xthewater]

ArmySailor:
Seems a clear choice to me and sounds like you're leaning that way already, leave early.
2004 I was working for the Corps of Engineers 10 hr days 60 hrs a week, had little life great pay but lots of stress. The job was very interesting but the politics was insufferable. Pay taxed to hell and one day a week home life, married and 2 late teens ready to leave home. Early retirement offered and I jumped on it. Lots of blowback but life was so much better. Opportunities arose out of the blue every year after that and experiences I'd otherwise had missed. We didn't suffer financially.
When one is "retired" there are all sorts of options and opportunities opened up. CoolDave is right, retirement planners, financial advisers etc. are looking after their own interests though pretend to be looking after yours. They are indeed the experts but have no fiduciary responsibilities, buyer beware! Attempts to pass law making them responsible have been shot down time & again.
You'll have great medical coverage as do we but costs constantly escalate as the quality doesn't. We started @ $250 a mo. in 2004 now over $500 mo. Some things can't be avoided.
We now own everything (no debts), house, cars, 2 sailboats and various investments. When I retired we had mortgage and no boat. We've been to Australia twice, Germany last year and had some fun sailing and learning experiences with more yet to come.
Our son is in the AF now for 12 years and the one major downside he gets transferred every few years to different parts of the world. He's single and it's difficult to have any long term close by relationships with a future. Getting sent to areas in the Middle East etc. becomes old, and getting more dangerous. No telling what the next 7 years will bring and from appearances bodes ill.
Grab life while you can, you'll never have enough money, or know what's around the corner.

[mariner36bob]

Thank you for your service. As a former serviceman myself I've developed a self imposed ******** meter. Basically when I'm sick of the ******** at my employment, when I wake up in the morning and feel hate or loathing for the work day ahead, I leave and move on to the next chapter. It may be your time.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Sailing55]

Originally Posted by ArmySailor

Hi Folks, Lifelong cruisersforum lurker here. I've seen the "should I stay or should I go" questions a bergillion times, so I'll spare you that. Decision hath been decided upon by the decider....me. I'm going to buy a boat (of appropriate size, simplicity, and fit for purpose). I've been out and about enough to know I do actually enjoy the life. Blah blah blah.



The crossroads I’m at is dealing with retirement and whether I should go *now*. I’m in a peculiar situation of being able to enter “semi retirement in 1.5 years at age 37”. Since age 22 I have literally lived on half my income and invested the other half, so have significant investments to leech from. It has been a painful road, and I’ve sacrificed a lot in life to save this much


Option A) If I enter semi retirement, I could work 2-4 days in Houston TX. This would put me living in a marina in/around seabrook, clear lake, etc. It would tether me there so my actual sailing time between work would be limited to 2-3 weeks at a time. I figure 2-3 weeks is plenty time to have a loose schedule of getting somewhere in the gulf rim, hanging around and meeting people, and then sailing back for work. (in addition to sailing, I have PLENTY of other hobbies I want to indulge in during semi retirement, not least of which is spending quality time with family)


If I do this, I’ll be on a modest budget. (~2000-2500 a month). I do have a kitty in reserve to pay for major repairs, a new car in a few years, blah blah blah. But I'll have to be careful with that budget. very careful. It has to last until age 60.



With this modest budget, I don’t want to waste it on an apartment. So I plan to live on the boat. Novel idea here, I know! lol. I have the luxury of simply amazing parents, who are 2 hours away from Houston TX who are the most awesome people ever. I can actually live part time there and store all my stuff (all my earthly goods fit into a truck, seriously. Except for crappy craigslist furniture.



As a side note, since I’m single, I’m certain that living on a boat and sometimes sleeping at my parents house will make me a TOTALLY eligible bachelor. I know. Lol. But hey it’s the life I want.


Anyway. Option B)


Slave away for 7 more years. Full retirement at age 43. Money will be no object at that point. With my investments, still growing for 6 more years and full active duty retirement I will be able to buy a house, indulge in a few nice things (though my wants are very limited) and critically, I won’t be tethered to Houston TX. So the world is my oyster. Which would you choose? Oh....the catch....



Catch: I hate my job. Don’ misread me – I LOVE serving my country. I love Soldiers. I love doing good things and making the Army better every day. However….it’s crazy stressful. I’m a senior officer, and I’m just….burned out. The work is 24/7 I push myself to excel in my job. I could do it for another 7 years. I could. But I move every 2-3 years, I work through weekends, I deal with red tape constantly, and I just get the life sucked out of me where it’s no longer fulfilling most of the time. Summary: My blackberry is the anchor to my soul. Sigh.

I'm just tired of waiting. Life and health are promised to no man. Or woman.

Should I drop the full time work shenanigans, give up a "plussed up" retirement, or cut back to one weekend a month, live off dividends and that modest paycheck on the boat. Time or money. My life or my mental anguish.



(final note: Yes, I know there are those of you that may think "7 years is nothing!" But again, i've been "putting off" my life and sacrificing everything forever now. 7 years is a long time to keep doing all the the army requires me to do. )

"I'm just tired of waiting. Life and health are promised to no man. Or woman.

You answered your own question Soldier.

I hope I'm not out of line for saying this, but it doesn't sound as if you hate your job...just what it has become. My Dad joined the USMC in 1929, retired from Civil Service 1984, died 1990. Two of his favorite topics were "how wonderful financial security is" and "I spent my entire life in military/civil service, now I'm too old to do anything". That, of course, is the short version, but you get my drift...

You get one shot at life, how you use it is entirely up to you, and only you bear the responsibility for it.

Whatever decision you make I wish you the best life has to offer...and there is a lot out there.

[hamburking]

Go now.

Life is short. There's a good chance you could do all the saving, all the planning, and some disaster will strike which will end you, or your plans.

You never know what will be. If you knew you had only 5 years to live, would you go now...you betcha!

Comfort and security are overated, first world problems.

Get a modest boat. Quit that job. You won't regret it. A month in you will be happy and free. Be frugal.

Also, find yourself a girl to love. Your life will be so much happier.

Best of luck. Let us know how it turns out.