How can I gain motivation to finish out the last remaining years of my military career?

I feel your pain. I'm at 15.5 and sometimes have that "ride it out" feeling creep in to my thoughts. But, I also know that I have a job to do. Then I remember it's never really been about the job - it's about the mission and the people. We are at the point of our careers where it's almost irrelevant what we get on our Evaluation Reports. I'm 90% sure I'll retire as an O-4. It's just how the cards played out. That frees me from having to worry so much about being in the Top Block of the next OER and gives me latitude to accomplish the missions that need accomplishing without having to worry that it won't give me a Top Block OER. Sometimes the ERs distract us from what is really important in what we do. We train and mentor Soldiers. We develop the next generation of leaders to think outside the box and to prioritize the needs of their people over temporary taskings.

So, what do you do now to finish strong? Find the problems in the military that have plagued you and have become you pet peeves and do what you can to reduce or eliminate them - first in your work space and then branch out. Find your motivation in the accomplishment of those goals.

SSG (Join to see) just get a couple of good assignments and its always good to pursue as much education as possible. Have an positive attitude and stay committed to the NCO Creed.

Surely there is an assignment or position you aspired to when you were a young troop. Maybe being a drill instructor or NCOA SGL. I know for me, I wanted a company - and when I got one I wanted to lead it downrange. Having done both, now I feel I can retire without regret.