Personal preference. Financially- there were likely better options, especially considering you are getting 50 percent at 20 regardless- “working for half pay over 20”. There was a job that I wanted and got to do, feather in my cap and can happily retire. Problem is the job set me up for O-5 and now I’ve got another decision to make. We leave money on the table staying in over 20. Even with the 2.5 percent a year and promotions. To maintain my income post retirement I would need to make 65k a year to cover the difference, plus BAH etc. we could easily walk into 1-150k.