Indeed. Plus the toll on the body and health.

It wasn’t just the uncertainty you mentioned. In my year group only 34% of those who tried to make the 20 year retirement made it ( and that doesn’t count those who chose to leave). The rest were culled out by the promotion process, accession to Regular Army, disabling injuries, elimination for cause, RIFs, etc. Then there are the combat losses. Really hard on those who put in a lot of time and cost then did not make it to retirement. Most people don’t know that just making it to 20 years was a real achievement.

Wrote a lot of checks on my body that are being cashed now. But I’m still in good health and ability.

Worked another 15 years in civilian employment before fully retiring.

Would do it all again.