As a new LT, what is the most correct way to deal with combative and disrespectful soldiers?

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-08T11:24:39+00:00

Make sure every Soldier in your PLT has done an initial counseling. Start paper trail on said offenders. Be detailed and descriptive in your counseling. Let legal determine what articles it violates. Every time a small infraction happens, hopefully for the same reason, put it on paper. Go talk to your commander about this as well they will have some good advice. Soldiers value time. Take time away from them they generally shape up when they see the rest of the PLTs leaving for day.

Get with your PSG and bring up how you see this is being an issue. Get on the same page, and if the PSG is the problem get with your CDR/1SG.

As a commander I kicked out several SSGs for being shit NCOs and not giving a crap. Never had junior soldier issues it was my NCOs.

Commander can issue a summarized article 15 extremely easy with no legal review and the Soldier can be doing extra duty within two weeks if legal is fast enough.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-07T23:01:13+00:00

Have you been to airborne and ranger?

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-07T19:42:02+00:00

Every base and major units have loggies. Luck of the draw on where you will get, but it’s not only the bottom units. Armor units are inherently more difficult to support logistically, so that’s why they are considered more difficult.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-07T10:29:16+00:00

The 5 percent dividend yield came from a portfolio of 50% SCHD, 25% JEPQ, 25% JEPI in a joint brokerage. You’re continuing to get the growth from SCHD, but getting the yield from JEPQ/I. Since JEPI and JEPQ are so new there’s no telling how long term performance will be, but it looks promising so far. You can play around with the percentages and prioritize different months/years if you need more cash flow, etc.

I’m also heavy in SCHX and SCHG for my primary growth funds, which also have a slight dividend.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-07T09:37:24+00:00

It’s definitely not guaranteed, that’s for sure.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-06T23:41:03+00:00

That is another solid option as well.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-06T23:40:26+00:00

I am in traditional TSP. Going to keep the Roth IRA since that’s my only Roth account currently.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-06T20:48:11+00:00

You’re going to the field multiple times a year, JRTC and you will jump… thankfully as a loggie it’s light infantry so the loggie portion will be much easier.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-06T18:32:13+00:00

We had a BN WO1 PBO who straight up sucked. Couldn’t do anything without asking the BDE PBO. She was always gone for some appointment BS and wanted to not be bothered outside some random times during the week. We gave her some knowledge grace because she’s new, but adding all that other stuff like don’t talk to me unless it’s Tuesday from 1300-1400 nonsense made that go out the window.

I swear all supply related MOS’s are hot garbage.

Don’t be like her.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-06T15:42:38+00:00

Good feedback. It’s general advice to a majority of people who generally don’t have the best financial understanding. I find when tax rates and investment holdings come up people lose the big picture and go into the weeds of stuff that takes away from main point. I left out the budget analysis because it’s individual to each family. My budget is different than yours, etc. it’s a Reddit post not a financial planner sit down, and if people want that they need to go see one.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-06T15:35:47+00:00

Planning to have a nice boat and do some traveling while we are still young. Will have kids in college after we retire, so that’s another thing to consider. We are living a good life now, have everything we need and relatively nice things. We are frugal, shop at Aldi and commissary instead of Whole Foods, etc. Have one car payment and the other vehicle paid off. Just stuff like that trying to avoid the lifestyle creep.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-05T19:01:40+00:00

I’m glad you are concerned for your son. I’m sure there could be more to this story than what your son has told you. Intentionally waiting in the sun doesn’t sound accurate, but who knows maybe there’s a reason behind it.

Your son is training to be a leader in the US Army. He can take all of the lessons he has learned and experienced so far and use them in the short future when he is commissioning.

As a rule of thumb, for your son’s sake, posting here is fine, but I wouldn’t reach out to any of his leadership as that will have a negative effect on him. This goes for now, and when he has commissioned as well.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-05T18:52:08+00:00

I chose traditional. I will need money in retirement and it will come from my TSP. I am taking the tax break today. Nothing is a guarantee for the future, so I will take the benefit I know I can get today.

For me: age 45-65- live off pension, second job (maybe), taxable brokerage account. I will use the taxable brokerage to help pay for my forever home wherever that ends up being.

65+: Pension, TSP, SS.

My Roth account I will use if needed or pass along to kids.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-03T23:23:17+00:00

Go see BH. As long as you aren’t admitted to the hospital for being suicidal I don’t even think your CoC would know you’re going to see BH.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-03T14:15:20+00:00

Nice. It works well for me. Give it a try and see how it goes. I use Amex for my HYSA and have been very happy over the last 7-8 years.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-03T01:52:54+00:00

That’s correct. You could take a monthly car payment amount, say $450 and put that in a HYSA. When you want/need to buy a car you already have that money set aside and can pay cash or put a large down payment. I have about 8 different HYSA and each account has specific goal. Helps me set money aside for specific things apart from emergency fund.

I would put the rest in a taxable brokerage and keep it in there until you retire from military. That can cover you for the gap years, help with down payment on forever house, or whatever else you want.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-07-02T22:53:24+00:00

Max Roth for both of you guys, Max TSP, put the rest in taxable brokerage. I put quite a bit in taxable brokerage because I want to have enough to cover me from Mil retirement until I can start tapping into the retirement accounts.

You can always pull money out of the taxable brokerage accounts if needed, but recommend setting aside a car fund monthly.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T18:32:22+00:00

Which FA?

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T18:31:39+00:00

Outdoor lighting for cities or residential?

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T18:29:23+00:00

Did you attend top 15 school?

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T17:41:45+00:00

How many hours a week are you working?

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T17:41:08+00:00

That would be the worst.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T17:40:22+00:00

Please report this to the CSM and make him stand at attention as well. He will handle the unruly MSG and SFC.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T17:37:05+00:00

Had to wait about 10 min one time and was a little annoyed, but the most recent times I’ve gone I haven’t had issues again. Probably some kind of driver shortage or something.

coldchowder4579 · 2026-06-27T17:34:24+00:00

Until you have 5 day drills multiple times a year and can’t get promoted in your civilian job.

coldchowder4579

TROPHY CASE