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There are a plethora of reasons why people join and leave the Army. However, would you advise someone to leave after serving 10 years or more barring retirement? How do you talk one out of it?
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 34
I got out after 11 years.
A meager retirement is no reason to waste one's life doing something one no longer feels passionate about. Time is too short.
A meager retirement is no reason to waste one's life doing something one no longer feels passionate about. Time is too short.
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PO2 (Join to see)
Thank you for this statement. I hear all the time "if you do ten, you're halfway there you may as well do another ten" and it bothers me. Just because it's halfway through, doesn't mean ten years is not a lot of time you could spend building a career you actually care about.
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I get this question all the time because I'm getting out and next month will be 11 years in the Army for me. There are a lot of reasons that I'm leaving that I won't get into right now but my husband (who is staying in) and I had several very long talks about my continued service and we decided together that is was the best course of action for our family and where we ultimately want to be in life. I've been talked to by my career counselor, my supervisor, my OIC, and my hospital CSM. I told all of them the same thing. The only person that can convince me to stay is my husband and I already know his answer.
As long as the person is making an informed decision I don't think anyone should try to talk them out of it.
As long as the person is making an informed decision I don't think anyone should try to talk them out of it.
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SGT Carissa Lara, RCS
Thank you SFC Laws. I'm currently on terminal leave and it's been great. I signed up with the reserves, accepted a federal job in the same spot I just left and I've been able to give my young children some much needed mom time. This has been the best decision I've made in a long time.
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1SG (Join to see)
I have considered getting out many times over the years, and I have had some senior leaders try to convince me I was crazy. For various personal reasons I always stayed in, but as a 68N I always knew that I had other options. Not many CSM's or random Medical Service Corps. Officers can walk away from the Army and land a Job that pays north of 60K right away. I'm sure you got the "what are you going to do" line right? I always smile when I hear Seniors tell Cath Techs that. The fact is you have the skills and training to be successful in or out of the military, so don't sweat what other people say. After all you are one of the few (63 throughout the Army) who have the best MOS there is.......
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SGT Carissa Lara, RCS
You are absolutely correct SFC Spears. I had a very long talk with our retention NCO and he was shocked that I wasn't worried about my finances after I get out. He said I needed to come back and teach him my secret because even knowing that he'll be getting a retirement check he's worried about his. I just smiled. There was also a nurse who didn't understand why I didn't accept the initial salary that they offered me because "there's no way you guys make as much as a nurse."
68N is the best hidden gem in the Army!
68N is the best hidden gem in the Army!
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Sgt Carissa Lara, Congratulations for making A positive transition, stay connected, stay motivated, and look forward. Best of luck to you and your family in the future.
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If their heart is no longer in it and they do not feel that they can give it their all anymore I do not see a reason why you should try and convince them to do something that they no longer want to do. I do not feel it is in the best interest of the individual or the Service to convince them to stay. What should be done however is make sure that they have a full understanding of everything and that they are making an informed decision.
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