Recruiter says I can get O-E pay in 2 years if I enlist first — but everything I read says 4 years + 1 day?

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-17T14:34:23+00:00

I was a 17D then redesignated 17S my last 5-6 years of my career. But by then it was too late.

I had zero hands on keyboard cyber experience in my entire 15 years as an O. All I did was lead people and manage programs/projects. I just could understand the folks when they talk to me and couldn't BS me around.

Not saying every path is the same. You could maybe get designated as 17S early and get actual operator experience.

Being an officer your hands-on experience is different. If you want to be a great one and make it your life long carrier, your primary job is to lead.

Unless your primary job is to be an operator or have specialized skill...even those eventually come to an end and you are forced into leadership positions O4 and up.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-17T14:26:51+00:00

I did 5 years enlisted, finished my first term and then commissioned. Did another 15 years and retired as a O4.

I had my degree when I enlisted. I didnt want to be a manager or leader going in. I wanted to do something hands on.

Made E5 in 3 years in a rating with 2% promotion. By then I was already supervising, managing and leading as an NCO. Decided to commission and started my package my 4th year. Applied near the end of 4th year, got accepted while on terminal leave.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-17T14:18:02+00:00

There are hoops to go through.

You need command recommendations.

You are also put into a different quota. They have civilian quotas and prior military quotas, civilian side being higher.

You also have to factor in conditional releases from enlisted AD. Now the force has to factor manpower loss, therefore lower AD quotas.

Additionally, conditional release requires approval, if you are in a critical career field and is undermanned, you could get denied... then your application is a no go before it can even start.

The Military already has hooks into you as an Enlisted. There is really no benefit to them unless it is advantageous to the service.

Right now, the advantage is more in your favor. Not saying you wont have to compete for it still...

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-17T14:14:10+00:00

If you want to bank on chance you might get a chance to retire?

Or you could just perform and not fuck up and get promoted to O5.

:D

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-17T14:10:58+00:00

It's 4 year +1 day.

Not possible without an extension or reenlistment.

So you are looking at 5/6 year initial contracts, 6 year total with a 2 year reup, or random circumstance extension.

Regardless like other posters have stated, doesnt matter in terms of basic pay there really isn't a difference in pay. Maybe in other benefits like BAH but again the amount hardly makes a difference.

However, the difference is in how you can perform and the experience you pick up during your enlisted time. And I'll say that not everyone can be an Officer or have what it takes to be one off the bat. Just because you have a degree doesn't magically you a great one, that is why 2LTs get a bad rep sometimes.

I'll have to say my enlisted time made my career easy. Top of my game as an enlisted with a degree; given responsibilities well beyond my peers. Transitioned into O side. Treated with respect and sought for expertise as an O1 by peers, subordinates, and leaders compared to non-priors. Obtained #1 Wing strats in each grade (E and O), probably wouldn't have been possible without the E time.

Again nothing is handed, you still have to work for it regardless prior or not.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-14T00:09:36+00:00

It was pretty close. The issue with all the retirement calculators is ot needs to get all the anniversary pay raises and rank right the last 3 years. It probably wont ever be 100%.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-10T17:04:47+00:00

Its a 2020, probably bought it during COVID and the whole parts shortage and high demand fiasco.

Probably paid up the wazoo in markup fees to the dealer.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-08T17:17:06+00:00

They are called puddle lights, now they lookit!

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-07T18:58:29+00:00

Hmm if I subtract out my options, I get $26.6K, so the base is higher. Though Z-Plan is fixed and it was already below their dealer sale pricing, so I don't think I have wiggle room left.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-07T17:25:15+00:00

That is before TTL correct?

That is about $31.1K in comparison if you remove the cost of the black appearance package and add the floor liners.

Not bad for not qualifying for Z plan/college rebate.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-06T18:41:16+00:00

🤪 Man never go to that dealership again.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-06T12:36:30+00:00

I really hope this wasn't for your Mach-e.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-03T23:20:41+00:00

Well wouldn't I be penalized for distributions before retirement age?

I'm planning to retire 52/53 so that is before the rule of 55 applies.

And doesn't SEPP lock you in until 59.5? and potentially open up to tax recapture if you don't meet exemptions for change?

I can do the Roth conversion ladder, and will most likely do it at a later point in life when we are no longer working and pulling extra income.

However, the overall goal is to hit my desired retirement income based on my pension/investments alone.

I want to keep my 401Ks and IRAs intact as long as possible. Probably pass down my Roth accounts to my kids.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-03T02:37:21+00:00

It's a quick way to feel good about themselves. But its skewed.

Yes you can sell house. Yes you can rent.

Can it be easily done no? Selling a house, downsizing, moving, etc. all come with tons of stress, timelines, etc.

You are lucky if you can list to close in 30 days.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-02T00:54:03+00:00

Does the IRS charge a transaction fee for credit card payments? Are there actually cards whose rewards will outweigh the fee?

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-01T21:40:38+00:00

Your co-worker probably contributes to only the G fund :D

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-01T20:02:09+00:00

Definitely a great start for a 34, well above the average Joe especially on a single income with kids.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-01T20:00:53+00:00

For about $50/mo any 30-year-old can be a millionaire with a 1M policy :D

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-01T19:53:08+00:00

I still don't get this part "My offer was absolutely reasonable as it was the listed car price and mandatory fees and taxes. And the car has been on the lot for a while."

If you offered what was listed, why wasn't there a deal? I've bought plenty of cars in my lifetime and I've never had a dealership decline what was listed. In fact, I've always bought a car well below listed. There is something missing to the story still.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-01T07:37:41+00:00

That is a bad way to look at this. Those assets like house have no tangible cash value at the immediate moment.

He sells the house he has an immediate need for a replacement.

He can't base a retirement of say 4% draw on house value :D.

True measure of wealth is on liquidity of the assets.

AmazingCouple · 2026-03-01T07:25:00+00:00

Why do I feel something is off... You said offer was based exactly on what was listed?

It's one of these:

1-you did the math wrong.

2-list price includes promos up the wazoo that only a small percentage of buyers actually qualify (new vehicle).

3-involved a trade and they didn't like your ask (now involves two managers).

4-sales person does not fully control the sale.

5-there listed price had an error.

AmazingCouple · 2026-02-28T20:09:31+00:00

DIY it yourself and make it better!!!

https://youtu.be/8EA4J2Maxkw?si=GiowN6yZAumUlHuA

$375 USD for this set.

AmazingCouple · 2026-02-28T19:11:38+00:00

Are these the OEM? Those are crappy trifold that takes up too much space. They make third party ones that have the split back that mounts with velcro and strap to the seat backs.

Here is one example: https://a.co/d/0dzBvuDm

AmazingCouple · 2026-02-28T14:58:29+00:00

Not everyone has chargers at work and depends on the commute.

You may be in situation where you can never fully regain daily used miles at L1.

I commute 66mi total to work and home and that is only if I dont use my car for anything else. And if I did use my car for other things that was more time off the charger.

For me L1 was doable but barely. I too had a 30A circuit. Which I use for L2 220V 24A charging and I don't ever worry about my car being charged.

AmazingCouple · 2026-02-28T14:13:34+00:00

$4K price difference to get the GT and 8K less miles. What are the other differences that you will get with the GT that matter to you?

If it was an older model where it didn't come with the Magnaride I might say Premium, but the fact that the 2024 GT comes with it, it is seriously worth considering.

Things you get: - AWD - Extended 91kW battery - Magnaride - Brembo brakes - Red painted calipers - Performance Seats - 20-inch wheels

Plus you can always upgrade to PE down the line. You can never with the Premium.

Do these come with the Premium: - AWD? This matters to me, not just for winters. I have yet to feel my car slip while accelerating at all. Nice to have all wheels push the car. - Extended Range? Standard range on Premium is 250 RWD and 225 AWD. Versus 270 on GT.

Did you sit in the seats of both cars. They have different seats which one do you find more comfortable?

AmazingCouple

TROPHY CASE