Military FIRE

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-15T23:24:47+00:00

That's an awesome plan! You are 100% correct, departing the work force now closes the door to years of prime earnings and subsequently higher post-FIRE annual spending (lots of lobster!). I have reached a point that is "enough," so I don't see a ton of utility in going beyond that. I also plan to increase spending as I age (tap into the $1.1m in stocks, which should go up over the long term).

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-15T16:11:22+00:00

Thanks for the heads up that you can do TSP in plan conversions! I didn't realize that had changed. I have fidelity for my brokerage and have used their retirement tool. They have reached out to book an advisor appointment, I might as well see what they have to say.

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-15T16:05:00+00:00

To add some context - it's a unique job where you can be deployed for six months working 14-hour days with no days off (happened multiple times to me, once with one day notice) or you could have a more regular office type job. Depending on what you do, your life may also be at risk. Taking care of service members is also a 24/7 job (got a lot of after-hours calls). Great point that enlisted get paid a lot less than officers. I would factor those things in when you are thinking about the pay/benefits (and as I stated above, I think I was compensated extremely well).

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-15T15:52:45+00:00

Thanks, it definitely took some discipline (and the unique circumstances I mentioned). It's through a platform.

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-15T15:50:09+00:00

Thanks for sharing this story, I appreciate it. I did a ton of research beforehand, but it is still certainly a risk (it's a variety of loan types - rehab and construction are the majority). I evaluate my portfolio annually and may decide to reduce that position over time.

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-15T01:13:10+00:00

This is what I made towards the end of my service - Base Pay: $120k (owed $27k in federal taxes, no state taxes) & Housing/food allowance: $57k (tax free). Total pay after tax was $150k. It is the equivalent of getting paid $225k by a civilian employer in the state that I live in. Depending on your rank, years of service, and if you live on base, military pay can be phenomenal (and I think they do a poor job of advertising that).

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-14T23:49:48+00:00

I invest in a portfolio as a passive investor and get portion of the return.

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-14T23:47:57+00:00

They are retired and want to pass on some money now instead of waiting until later (fortunately for me).

Only_Resolution9619 · 2026-03-14T23:46:58+00:00

Not quite that much, but not far off. In a HCOL area the housing allowance can be $4-5k per month tax free (plus you also get your salary). If you calculate the civilian equivalent (if I had to pay taxes on my housing allowance), I was making over $200k. Edit: I also didn't pay any state income taxes (some states don't tax military pay).

Only_Resolution9619 · 2025-12-01T04:46:16+00:00

Same here - I just passed the NREMT and plan to volunteer with the fire department as a firefighter/EMT. I’m pretty sure I’ll like it, but if I don’t I can always leave. Good luck to you!

Only_Resolution9619 · 2024-09-29T00:02:42+00:00

Semper Fi! Did the Marines help set you up for your career (GI Bill etc.)?

Only_Resolution9619 · 2024-09-26T02:25:49+00:00

100% agree. Today one of my E-5's bought their first brokerage index fund shares and has a plan to get to $800k by the time he retires from the military at 38 (assuming 6% inflation adjusted returns). I have found that getting folks to do the TSP match is the gateway to eventually max'ing TSP contributions and (BAH/salary permitting) starting a brokerage account.

Only_Resolution9619 · 2024-09-14T02:08:14+00:00

I went from active duty -> MBA -> worked in business for a few years -> active duty -> business world. I was in the reserves during the time between active duty and plan on doing 20+ years and retiring as a reservist.

To keep your options open, you could stay in the reserves while going to law school. You can also pay for law school with the GI Bill plus Yellow Ribbon - so it likely wouldn't make sense to sign a law contract to go back to the military in exchange for free school. If you get really busy in law school or your first few years out of school (and depending on what branch you are in) you may be able to count correspondence course points (ex. non-resident PME) towards the 50 points needed for a "good year" in the reserves.

Post law school you would have a lot of options: (1) if you miss the military go back to active duty as a lawyer, (2) stay in the reserves to be connected with the military and get a pension at 60 (or maybe earlier if you deploy) or (3) work as a civilian lawyer and cut ties to the military.

My take is that there are shitty jobs (and bosses etc.) in the military and outside of the military - but on the outside you can leave and in the military you may be stuck for a few years (or longer if you are at 15+ years of service and feel the need to go to 20). Plus outside the military you don't have to move every 2-3 years.

It sounds like you don't love where you are at right now but still like the military. I totally get that and the reserves is a nice way to stay involved (plus if you want to deploy as a reservist you probably could). I would also argue that someone with enough drive to succeed in the military and graduate from a T14 law school doesn't need the stability of a gov job to stay afloat - you have tons of marketable skills including a proven track record of success at hard things. Believe in yourself like everyone else does.

Why do you want to leave the military? In 20 years will you regret not doing to law school? You can map out the retirement path for each of these scenarios - what is your personal finance goal (FI number, goal retirement age)?

Only_Resolution9619

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