My dear husband has been talking of retirement lately. He can retire in three years if he so chooses. He will have completed 22 years in the Navy by then. (holy garbage that is a long time!)What does he want to do? Should he get his Master’s before he gets out? Should we stay here or move? Then there is..
Do you think I should stay in and try to do 30?
Heaven help me, I am not answering that question. I feel like I am living in the twilight zone and we are back at his 10 year mark trying to decide if he should stay in or get out. All of you that are past your 10 year mark know exactly the conversation I am talking about. Once you are past 10, you may as well finish it out. For those of you that aren’t at the 10 year mark yet, let me just say that the second 10 go much faster than the first 10. They are much better too.
Anyway, so would I want him to stay in? Hmmm…tough question. I am not going to make the decision for him. I am not the one that has to go to work everyday. I did tell him that I would not be adverse to moving again which surprised him, I think. I wouldn’t mind trying Tennessee on for size. Just keep me out of California which is hard when you are in the Navy and already on the west coast.
I am not very stressed about the whole thing. It is a couple of years away yet. We all just know how much I love the unknown. I think it will be OK this time.
Tressays 
We’re right on the cusp of ten, and The Man won’t leave. He has this silly idea that The Goobs need food and health insurance every single day of their lives. Whatever.
And you know, Tressa, it doesn’t matter what you say. If you say to stay in or to retire, or even if you say nothing at all, eventually he will tell you that whatever crappy situation he’s in is all YOUR fault. Oh, wait. I think I’m projecting again. ROTFL
ROFL!! Yeah, it does have a way of working out that way. Poor guy has to be the responsible one.
It’s a complex issue and one that I feel needs to be made as husband and wife in prayer and not husband alone or husband & God alone. Yes, it is ultimately his decision, but a military life is never a one-person issue b/c it affects the marriage much more than the average job. My two cents.
As far as being retired – it is mostly great and I miss the military much less than I thought I would. I’m not particularly thrilled w/ living near Memphis and I’ve had the 4 year itch something awful lately. Millington is a sleepy little base though and that certainly has it’s advantages.
It is a good idea to start thinking about where you want to retire though and hopefully you can have that as your last duty assignment. During this time of economic uncertainty, having a job is a great peace of mind.
There – I’ve said too much. I’m glad you’re not stressed…God will make His plan for you clear.
I hated that 10 year decision, that’s for sure. I’m hoping my husband will stick to what he’s saying now, “20 and done” I don’t know that I could handle 30!
You know I’m not a big fan of the masters deal my husband just finished, but the plus is that the Army did pay for it. I hope that it will become really clear what the best path is for your family!
Right now, our plan is to get out at 12. I know a lot of people think we are crazy, but something really good is going to have to happen to make us change our minds. Oliver is so unhappy right now. I realize we’ve been stuck at this duty station WAY longer than is normal, but since it is his first and it’s been awful, I just can’t fathom suffering through 8 more years just for a guaranteed paycheck. I know the economy is bad, yadda, yadda, yadda, but I’m tired of an unhappy husband and Big Navy jerking us around. When you say your hubby is thinking 30, my jaw dropped and I thought, “I would so kill Oliver if he even brought that up.” Good luck with that hairy decision! I’d like to believe you when you say the second ten are better, but I’m having a hard time thinking anything positive about the Navy right now.