1 A retired Regular officer who also is employed by the federal government and is subject to the dual compensation statutes may have that reduction reduced because of the waiver of retired pay to receive VA benefits.
If they don't, then 4 thick is usually standard for a patio slab, how large or small it is doesn't really matter. The most important part is the sub-base. Make sure you have a good gravel base. I would recommend at least 12 inches of compacted gravel. I like gravel where the aggregate (rocks) are no larger than 1.
Paver base is gravel that creates a solid base and helps the area drain properly. The paver base for a patio or walkway should be 4 inches deep when compacted. The calculation below factors in compaction.