Hang around for benefits?

Dear Dave,

I am currently serving in the military, and I’m not sure I like the life, or what I’m doing, as much as I did a few years ago. Recently, I was approached with some exciting opportunities outside the military in a different field. I’m not sure what to do. Do you think I should make plans to take advantage of these new opportunities, or should I stick with the military and receive full benefits when I’m eligible to retire in 10 years?

William

Dear William,

There are people who absolutely love the military. It makes a great career for some folks, and I think that’s awesome. God bless them – and youfor serving their country that way. But whether you’re in the military or a civilian, I think you should do what you love doing.

If you were just a few months away from retirement, I’d probably tell you to bear down and tough it out. That way, it wouldn’t be too long before you could explore the new opportunities and have a nice pension coming in. But 10 years is a long time to do anything when your heart’s not in it.

Long story short? If you love it, stay. If you don’t, get out. Serving in the armed forces is voluntary, and in a sense, that makes it a little like other jobs. Regardless, hanging around for a decade in a job where you’re miserable just to collect benefits? That’s not a good plan.

Dave