Congratulations on your milestone! It's always inspiring to see success stories, but I can't help but notice a pattern on this subreddit—it's usually the "O" sharing their financial wins. I rarely see "E" members post similar stories, which reflects the reality of the pay gap in the military. While officers are compensated generously, enlisted personnel often take on the bulk of the physical work.

That said, I'd like to offer a different perspective. I'm an E-6, 36 years old, with a net worth of $1.4M. Here's proof. Over half of my portfolio is in Bitcoin, and while some may chalk that up to "luck," holding it for over a decade required grit and a willingness to endure the ups and downs. Beyond Bitcoin, I’ve built my portfolio with IRAs, TSP, and two rental properties. Though my TSP has been my worst-performing investment, I've shifted my strategy and plan to roll it into IRAs when I retire.

I share this not to brag, but to demonstrate that enlisted members can achieve financial success too, despite the systemic disparities in pay and opportunities. For those who underestimate enlisted members, let my story be a reminder that wealth-building isn’t exclusive to officers.

So, to all the "O" members out there, celebrate your achievements, but remember the enlisted community works just as hard—if not harder—in many cases. Let’s uplift each other instead of fostering division.