"...Even though those who stay in the military for 20 years or more can qualify for a pension, it's still important to save on your own. In truth, few people actually stay in the military long enough to claim a pension, and, unlike civilian pensions, there’s no "partial vesting" to guarantee that workers who leave "early" get something. With the military, if you leave before 20 years, you get nothing. Even if you qualify, pension payments probably won’t be enough to cover your bills—you're usually entitled to 50% or less of your base salary if you retire at 20 years (and more if you stay beyond two decades)...
while you’re in the military, there are special investing opportunities and tax breaks to help you supercharge your savings. It's up to you to make the most of your options..."