Outstanding reply sir! I too served my 20 for the good of the service, not a paycheck. It was instilled in me by my father, who also spent 20 years serving..and believe me, when he was in, the pay was abysmal. I was given the opportunity to continue after I retired as a physicist, so I accepted because the work was so important. I could make twice my pay on the outside, but the will to serve is stronger. I tell everyone who asks, that I have been in the Air Force for 56 years...I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Excellent post. Well stated.