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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Ichiban on June 29, 2010, 05:24:15 PM

Title: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Ichiban on June 29, 2010, 05:24:15 PM
Gen. Stanley McChrystal will retain his four-star rank when he retires from the military, the White House said Tuesday.

McChrystal, 55, was promoted to four stars last year when he assumed control of military operations in Afghanistan. He announced plans Monday to retire  from the military after 34 years, a process that's expected to take a few months.

Army rules state a four-star general must serve three years before they can retain the rank in retirement. But the president and Pentagon can bypass the rule if they choose to do so. McChrystal would have earned about $140,832 annually as a three-star retiree, meaning Obama's decision nets him another $8,868 annually, according to military retirement figures compiled by the Pentagon.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/06/_cabinet_and_staff_news.html (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/06/_cabinet_and_staff_news.html)

That's mighty whi..... kind of Obama to let him keep that extra star for retirement. 

An attempt to buy some silence?
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: twyacht on June 29, 2010, 07:47:01 PM
34 years, What the hell. He's a four-star, he retires, gets his pension, benefits, writes a book, makes some speeches for $$$, still has the majority of the country agreeing with him, and goes fishing.

Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: TAB on June 29, 2010, 07:53:57 PM
4 star, how many millions is that a year for life?


Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: PegLeg45 on June 29, 2010, 08:25:27 PM
4 star, how many millions is that a year for life?


According to military.com, $17,785.80 per month (give or take) which would be around $213,429.60 per year.

http://www.military.com/military/benefits/0,15465,2010-Proposed-Military-Pay,00.html
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Timothy on June 29, 2010, 08:29:08 PM
According to military.com, $17,785.80 per month (give or take) which would be around $213,429.60 per year.

http://www.military.com/military/benefits/0,15465,2010-Proposed-Military-Pay,00.html

It's 80 percent of his last monthly pay scale.  I figured just under 16K a month minus 20 percent.....140-150 a year is close enough with pretty much guaranteed COLA increases yearly.

O-9 over 34 is $15,693.00/monthly...
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: PegLeg45 on June 29, 2010, 08:34:24 PM
It's 80 percent of his last monthly pay scale.  I figured just under 16K a month minus 20 percent.....140-150 a year is close enough with pretty much guaranteed COLA increases yearly.

O-8 over 34 is $15,693.00/monthly...

Yes, thanks Timothy...I forgot to adjust for the 20% reduction.....(was getting behind the cart).   ;D

**** is O10, ain't it?

http://www.combatcasting.com/RankStructure.html
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Timothy on June 29, 2010, 08:52:04 PM
Yes, thanks Timothy...I forgot to adjust for the 20% reduction.....(was getting behind the cart).   ;D

**** is O10, ain't it?

http://www.combatcasting.com/RankStructure.html

Duh.....yup, I stand corrected!  Make that almost 18K a month, minus 20%.....
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: PegLeg45 on June 29, 2010, 08:59:42 PM
 ;D

Well, hell, between the two of us we got it worked out....now if all the nation's problems were that easy......  ;)

Either way, it's way more dough than I see a month....  :-\  :-\  :'(
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: billt on June 29, 2010, 09:08:19 PM
I'm not well versed in military pay, but I thought you retired with full pay after 30 years service??  Bill T.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: PegLeg45 on June 29, 2010, 09:13:22 PM
I'm not well versed in military pay, but I thought you retired with full pay after 30 years service??  Bill T.

Not sure, Bill.
I've always thought it was 60% for 20-29 years and 80% for 30+.
Some of the military guys or federal employees may shed more light.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: billt on June 29, 2010, 09:17:18 PM
Which ever, it's not bad if you can tolerate the lifestyle. Except for top executives, I don't know where you could possibly match that in the private sector. I shudder to think what some of these lifetime Senators and Congressmen walk away with.  Bill T.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Timothy on June 29, 2010, 09:34:50 PM
Not sure, Bill.
I've always thought it was 60% for 20-29 years and 80% for 30+.
Some of the military guys or federal employees may shed more light.

I think it's 50% at 20 years then prorated from 21-29.  Goes 80% at 30 years and stays there.

Congress critters use the same scale though they have to contribute to their retirement now like normal people.  It's an urban legend that they retire at full salary.  Not true...

Don't feel like looking it up right now, but the average pension for "retired" congressman is less than 70K annually.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: billt on June 29, 2010, 09:44:02 PM
What happens to a guy like Byrd who worked 1,000 years until he dropped? Does his entire pension go back into the "till", or are his wife and kids eligible for some, or all of it?  Bill T.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Timothy on June 29, 2010, 10:16:30 PM
What happens to a guy like Byrd who worked 1,000 years until he dropped? Does his entire pension go back into the "till", or are his wife and kids eligible for some, or all of it?  Bill T.

Doesn't answer the question but shed light on the amounts.....I'd guess the spouse continues receiving bennies, the kids?  Doubtful..

As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.

Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.

The amount of a congressperson's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

According to the Congressional Research Service, 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service as of Oct. 1, 2006. Of this number, 290 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972. A total of 123 Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with service under FERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Timothy on June 29, 2010, 10:32:02 PM
;D

Well, hell, between the two of us we got it worked out....now if all the nation's problems were that easy......  ;)

Either way, it's way more dough than I see a month....  :-\  :-\  :'(

Crazy thing....if he lives to 85, another thirty years, which is probably average for someone that retires at his age, his pension will increase pretty substantially to nearly 35K a month...

http://militarypay.defense.gov/mpcalcs/Calculators/FinalPayHigh3.aspx
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 30, 2010, 01:20:50 AM
What happens to a guy like Byrd who worked 1,000 years until he dropped? Does his entire pension go back into the "till", or are his wife and kids eligible for some, or all of it?  Bill T.

They die  ;D
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 30, 2010, 01:54:22 AM
They die  ;D
As my stepfather (tragically and prophetically) said, "Retirement is that moment between the heart attack and your head hitting the desk". True for him, true for many of us. :'(
FQ13
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Pathfinder on June 30, 2010, 06:16:13 AM
As my stepfather (tragically and prophetically) said, "Retirement is that moment between the heart attack and your head hitting the desk". True for him, true for many of us. :'(
FQ13

I knew it! You're a freakin' Zombie!!!!!
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: Timothy on June 30, 2010, 06:22:59 AM
As my stepfather (tragically and prophetically) said, "Retirement is that moment between the heart attack and your head hitting the desk". True for him, true for many of us. :'(
FQ13

I may retire to abject poverty but I WILL stop working in 13 years, 4 months.

 ;)
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: billt on June 30, 2010, 06:36:21 AM
Perhaps it's me, but this "War On Terror" sure seems to be eating up high ranking Generals. "Stormin" Norman Schwarzkopf called it quits after Desert Storm. Then there was this guy Sanchez. He disappeared after a short reign at the helm. And now McChrystal appears to be taking the long walk. Petraeus is no spring chicken, I'm willing to bet he heads for the Lazy-Boy after this mess in Afghanistan ends.

I think it's the combination of politics, coupled with military tactics that ultimately does them in. It's hard to be a warrior when your Commander In Chief hates the military, and keeps you on a short leash. Hussein has as much business directing a war as I do designing dresses for Saks Fifth Avenue.  Bill T.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: crusader rabbit on June 30, 2010, 07:56:54 AM
Quote
Hussein has as much business directing a war as I do designing dresses for Saks Fifth Avenue.  Bill T.

That struck a chord, Bill...  I can see it now...  Almost nothing there except for strategically placed pockets for body armor, and a flap for concealment.  That would be one fashion show I'd like to see.LOL ;D :o ;D :o

Submitted by a grinning Crusader who is slowly making his way to the corner.
Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: twyacht on June 30, 2010, 07:46:55 PM
billt
Perhaps it's me, but this "War On Terror" sure seems to be eating up high ranking Generals.

Don't forget Gen Tommy Franks, I actually think he saw the writing on the wall, took Baghdad as was ordered, and split.

Probably one of the smarter moves...

Title: Re: Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank.
Post by: billt on June 30, 2010, 08:32:29 PM
billt
Perhaps it's me, but this "War On Terror" sure seems to be eating up high ranking Generals.

Don't forget Gen Tommy Franks, I actually think he saw the writing on the wall, took Baghdad as was ordered, and split. Probably one of the smarter moves...

You are correct. I completely forgot about him. I believe Sanchez was the one who replaced him.   Bill T.