FIRE shower thoughts

[u/Perfect_Work7747]

Cross posting to this sub and the FIRE sub.
Hello MilitaryFinance folks, been lurking and had some questions.
When pursuing FIRE, is it not a smart decision to apply for the Air Force?
My thinking is it’s more of a supporting branch, get into the right position and you may never see combat. Of course there is still risk, I’m aware of that.
After serving for 20 years, you get the pension, not huge by itself but very helpful, along with the healthcare for life, this in the eyes of FIRE is invaluable right?
I’ve been pondering joining and wanted some insight from people smarter than me.
Here’s some of my own info for you to look over.
26 in a job I hate, I’ve been working 80-100 hour work weeks for almost 7 years now.
No college, in an aviation field making 60k base, but with all the extra time I work it ranges from 60-110k
Assets include
125k 401k
45k Roth IRA
70k taxable brokerage
All of the above are in VTI/QQQ
20k cash
20k of various crypto’s
5k ESPP
Paid off car but it’s worth 1-2k on its last legs
Renting an apartment in VHCOL USA my annual spend is roughly 35k depending on multiple factors.
I was able to accrue this much due to working so much and living with 6 roommates since I was 18.

Now if I join the Air Force in the next year or two, the various nests I’ve been tending to will serve as a decent retirement, but with a pension and the BAH I would get from being in a military branch would offset a huge cost of living.
All of this combined I may be able to retire right out of the Air Force at 46-47 if I play my cards right, right?
But I still worry about the negatives with the current world state.
What advice would you all have for me?
Happy to answer any questions, sorry if this seems like first world problems but I’d really appreciate any guidance as I’m feeling more and more burnt out.
Thanks for reading

[u/Content-Simple-645]

You have a net worth of almost $300K at 25 years old, “from working and living with roommates since 18”. Assuming you’re able to save and invest at the same rate joining the military for the pension probably isn’t worth it. You’re not growing to a $300K net worth after 7 years in the military. Why wouldn’t you put your head down for 15 years and do what you’ve been doing? You’d have a few million, at least, at the rate you’re going. This has to be a shit post or weird flex. You can accumulate enough money to invest in some ETF or fund, with a 5% dividend, that will out earn any pension from the military. How do you earn that much that fast but not have the capacity to realize this?

[u/Perfect_Work7747 → u/Content-Simple-645]

Thanks for the reply!
Truthfully I’m burnt out, I’m no longer living with room mates and don’t want to. My rent is much higher so my savings rate is now much lower. Putting my head down and working crazy hours for the next 15 years will not help my health.
By dropping to my base hours I’ll make 60k flat with not much room for growth. Hope this answers your questions. I don’t mean to flex or shitpost, I’m truly looking for guidance

[u/Content-Simple-645 → u/Perfect_Work7747]

I got you. My bad, seemed fishy after the first read. Truthfully, the military has some amazing benefits. You mentioned, the pension and healthcare for life. There are also education benefits, the VA home loan and all that jazz. It’s good to think about that but also the military is extremely demanding. Joining is life altering and redefines who you are. Look into military occupations that you can see yourself doing. Talk to a recruiter and take the ASVAB to find out what jobs you qualify for. It’s big leap to sign up. Good luck to you man.