But if he hit 30 years he would get 75% of his base pay for life. Vice 50%. Quite a big carrot to give up. That captain must have been a pretty tough captain.
At the time he was allowed to be a double-dipper. He went from the Navy to a job working as a civilian at the Pentagon, which he did for another 20, getting another pension.
It's my understanding you can't do that anymore.