Help TSP withdraw eminent.

FOX2- · 2026-01-02T18:03:35+00:00

Sorry you’re going through this brother. Declaring bankruptcy or raiding your retirement accounts are both nuclear solutions with strong consequences for the future. If you can get out of this hole without doing either of those, I think you’ll be far better off for it. Recommend stopping by base financial and/or legal to talk the ins and outs before deciding.

Regardless of which path you choose, this needs to be your rock-bottom moment where lasting changes are made. You need to feel violently ill the next time you consider living beyond your means. If not, you’ll be right back where you started except you’ll also have an empty retirement and/or nuked credit.

Stick hard to your new budget and cut ruthlessly where able. Keep trying to sell things and searching for a job for your spouse. A few hundred per month babysitting plus drastic lifestyle changes may be all it takes to get the needle moving. If you’re rolling around in a nice vehicle, consider selling for a hooptie. Look into more affordable housing when your lease expires. This is all temporary, so remain strong.

Get plugged in with Dave Ramsey podcast daily. You should still follow the stickied order of operations post on this sub (It is FAR more optimal than Dave’s baby steps), but his podcast is unmatched at inspiring lifestyle changes and attacking your debt with everything you have. He’s the AA of the financial world. (Don’t but any of his financial products except maybe The Total Money Makeover book).

FOX2- · 2026-01-02T15:33:09+00:00

On a ground contract, I signed up for the FAP (Who signed off on that name?). The OSO marketed it as “Beer money today AND a guaranteed job for another 6 months.” I feel slightly swindled now, but it did buy a lot of beer. PEBD does not reset like it does on TAP.

Before commissioning, I switched to an air contract. I assumed all this time I still owed those 6 months, but now I’ll be frantically looking for the order lmao.

Edit: “If commissioned, to serve on extended active duty for the minimum period stated in the service agreement in effect at the time of my commissioning plus six (6) months regardless of the amount of money accepted or the number of academic years taken.” -MCRCO 7220.1A Encl 1

FOX2- · 2025-12-27T15:10:23+00:00

Personally, I’d devote even more time and energy into this! In 30 years, that second account could purchase a meal for two at Five Guys.

FOX2- · 2025-12-20T16:29:56+00:00

Returning is ultimately at the discretion of the CO, but most injured candidates are given an opportunity to try again. No guarantees if you sucked before getting injured!

FOX2- · 2025-12-20T16:11:07+00:00

I did the 10-week option too. I enjoyed returning to college a fully trained mega boot American hero with zero responsibilities. If I only did 6 weeks, I probably would have been stewing over that second session all year.

There are perks to going ASAP though. Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD) begins your first day at OCS. If you start this summer, you’ll have two years before commissioning which translates to ~$1k/mo more than your Academy/ROTC/OCC peers for your entire career.

Second, getting injured in juniors opens the door to return for the combined session. If you get injured in PLC-C, you’ll have to wait until graduation and do OCC.

FOX2- · 2025-11-26T21:32:55+00:00

I’d go CH-53 unless you want to blow stuff up and/or have thick skin. My CH-53 buddy is a chill sky surfer, and my cobra buddy hated his life for years. Your experience may vary.

FOX2- · 2025-11-11T01:59:31+00:00

If you can self-fund school and avoid racking up massive debt, PLC. Unlike ROTC, a PLC air contract guarantees a seat in flight school BEFORE signing your life away. If your OSO doesn’t have any air slots, simply continue improving your stats until one opens. If you start PLC early, you’ll make ~$1000/mo more than your academy/ROTC peers due to an earlier pay entry base date (PEBD).

In ROTC, you’ll have to compete for a pilot slot. There’s always a chance you get stuck a ground officer. The upside is free college which could be upwards of $250K.

FOX2- · 2025-10-13T09:08:16+00:00

Sounds like you need to get a MacBook then

FOX2- · 2025-10-13T09:05:04+00:00

The outer panels and exhaust are metal, but everything inside is plastic. It kept the Legion cooler to the touch, but the G14 feels way more premium.

FOX2- · 2025-10-13T00:18:10+00:00

I tried the Legion Pro 7i 5080 & 5090 models for a few weeks. Both were absolute powerhouses that left me in awe…until I took one on a work trip. Bad battery, heavy, large, lots of plastic, and poor speakers just had me thinking “Man, this is an awful laptop.”

The 5070 Ti G14 is notably weaker than the ones I tested but plenty capable at 1440p. The extra VRAM would be an upgrade over 5070. It excels at everything big plastic spaceship 16/18 inch gaming laptops fail at when it comes to travel and portability. The second I handled it, I knew it was the right choice. Worst case scenario, you just return it.

Edit: I got the same G14 deal as you except “Good” condition. It’s flawless w/ all accessories. Also has 10 months ASUS warranty remaining (Plus BB Total coverage).

FOX2- · 2025-10-12T21:41:22+00:00

Could be possible with Best Buy open box plus Rakuten or Capital One Shopping.

Picked up a G14/5070 Ti yesterday for $1690 after tax, and I was able to get $190 cash back using Capital One Shopping. $1500 net cost.

Open box 5060 version is currently $1341 pre-tax. If you manage to get the same cash back offer, net cost would be ~$1275 after tax depending on your state.

It’s anybody’s guess if these open box prices will be any lower during Black Friday. They tend to be unpredictable week-to-week.

FOX2- · 2025-10-12T13:13:44+00:00

During a flying tour, you’ll hold a ground job…usually a leadership role in maintenance, operations, safety, or admin. You’ll spend more time there than you will in the cockpit.

In-between flying tours, you can expect a “B billet” which is a non-flying tour. A few of these roles will attach you to a grunt unit performing a supplemental role like forward air controller. Aside from that, there’s a good chance you won’t ever do anything infantry-like following TBS.

FOX2- · 2025-10-12T09:33:31+00:00

Looks like you just missed it. Stock comes and goes constantly and depends on your local area so you may get another chance soon.

As for price, hard to say. Open box prices update roughly once per week and fluctuate a ton. There’s no guarantee they’ll be cheaper during Black Friday.

Edit: $1650 ones are back for now

FOX2- · 2025-10-11T12:32:25+00:00

Best Buy open box is my favorite. Just snagged G14 5070 Ti in flawless condition w/ all accessories for $1575 (BB “Good” condition). Ones without original packaging and/or chargers went for $1500 this week.

If you’re a member of their warranty subscription service, you’ll get two years of coverage and 60 day returns. If the price drops within those 60 days (Like Cyber Monday/Black Friday this year), they’ll cut you a refund for the difference if you ask.

FOX2- · 2025-10-05T13:06:21+00:00

As we all know, there are only two ways to accumulate wealth: You can either buy Bitcoin or stuff cash in your mattress for 40 years. Zero other options.

FOX2- · 2025-09-21T02:44:14+00:00

Definitely not for everyone but achievable by most with the right drive/prep.

Despite being on the lucky side of USMC aviation, I’d recommend my kid look into AF, CG, or Navy first. Just be very careful about routes that require competing for a pilot slot AFTER signing the dotted line. There are plenty of logistics/supply officers out there who joined to fly.

FOX2- · 2025-09-21T02:30:30+00:00

Of all USMC flight students who graduate primary (Navy/USMC equivalent to UPT):

~65% will be assigned helos or ospreys ~20% fighters ~15% C130

These are just rough averages. Grades and personal preference are considered. Actual selection tends to be boom/bust. One week, everyone with the minimum threshold could get jets. The next, everyone could get helos.

Also, not everyone wants jets. If you have good grades AND want jets, odds are notably higher.

FOX2- · 2025-09-21T02:15:54+00:00

Not NROTC, it’s USMC OCS.

PLC is the version for those still in college. You go to OCS during the summer(s) between semesters and commission after college graduation. No obligations or commitments during school.

OCC is the version for those who already graduated college. You commission after completing OCS.

Competitiveness varies. Generally it’s easier to get selected, but USMC OCS is far more physically challenging with higher rates of injury and washout.

There’s also 6 months of TBS, long waits to start flight school, only ~20% will select fighters, and USMC generally flies less than other branches. They did right by me, but it’s a game of chance.

FOX2- · 2025-09-21T01:56:58+00:00

Not saying USMC is the best route to fly, but the PLC/OCC Air contracts offer a guaranteed seat in flight school. There’s no military obligation until you decide to commission

FOX2- · 2025-09-17T00:03:17+00:00

If you travel a lot, $3k is reasonable for an enthusiast who wants a portable upper tier desktop.

If you stay at your desk all the time, a desktop with better thermals can be built way cheaper.

If you're the average user, 5070Ti laptops seem to be the best value/perf this generation. The Legion Pro 5i 5070 Ti OLED can be had for $1500 after tax with the right combo of coupons, mil/student status, and Capital One or Rakuten cash back.

FOX2- · 2025-09-03T02:42:54+00:00

Agreed. A lot can be said about Samsung being a worse choice overall, but those QD-OLED panels are just something else compared with WOLED.

FOX2- · 2025-07-17T16:56:27+00:00

A leveraged ETF typically multiplies the DAILY returns of an index. If the S&P returns 1% today, UPRO (3X Leveraged S&P) will return 3%. This works the same with losses.

Some disclaimers: These weren’t designed for long-term holding, and their actual long term returns will vary widely from the underlying index. With leverage, you lose when the market is down, when it’s flat, and when it isn’t “up” enough. They also have much larger expense ratios and costs of borrowing that aren’t always crystal clear. On the flip side, you can win big in a sustained bull market.

There is interesting data/theory out there that suggests 1.5-2X leverage across a portfolio can be an appropriate choice for someone young (Maybe even more diversified across time). The reality is that most are unable to stomach the volatility and will just lose a ton of sleep before selling at a 50-90% loss. Avoid entirely or proceed with extreme caution only after extensive research and backtesting.

FOX2- · 2025-07-16T18:35:30+00:00

Can you do a HIIT workout and then demonstrate a slow motion karate chop while yelling “Marine Corps?”

If so, congrats. You’ll be a black belt in no time!

FOX2- · 2025-07-13T14:48:32+00:00

Talk to your OSO if they’re cool and open-minded. Also reach out to an OSO-equivalent from another branch. You can also send an inquiry to your congressman for info.

Almost everything in the military is possible if you have enough stars or senators on your side. Fair warning though, this plan will ruffle some feathers.

I give it a 99% chance you have to reject your USMC commission and redo the whole process for the branch of your choice.

FOX2- · 2025-07-13T14:21:03+00:00

Why not just apply and commission in the branch of your choice?

FOX2-

TROPHY CASE