When I say "Commitment", I didn't mean personal commitment. I meant as an example, you graduate the academy, go to grad school, owe a few years extra for that; are a pilot; owe 10 for that; etc. Your commitment might take you already to about 14 years. You most likely got the promotion and you might as well go to 20 with that many years already in.
But you are correct. It is possible that you could be sitting at 12, 14+ years and the military releases you. That's why I always recommend a "PERSONAL" retirement plan. I never relied solely on the military's pension for my future. Just like I never relied on company's pension plans I've worked for. I always had MY OWN retirement plan going to.
Then again, there's still some out there that think they can live beyond their means for their whole life and their Social Security will be their "Retirement Plan".