Did anyone, or has anyone, noticed a difference in how you are treated as you get closer to leaving the military?

2015-07-08T09:38:44-04:00

This is mainly aimed at those who left before retirement. Were you allowed to attend career fairs, job interviews? Did you just plain get treated differently, especially from leadership?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 8 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-07-08T09:45:28-04:00

Feel almost ostracized, like you have the plague! LOL!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 8 at 2015 9:58 AM

2015-07-08T09:58:37-04:00

I tell people that I think it's interesting how when you first enlist at MEPS its this huge deal as it should be yet when I got out, it ended at a single desk with a civilian who told me to sign my DD214, padded me on the back and said I could start my terminal leave. That's it, that's the list.

I think it's also interesting to look back at the fact that the Army spends a lot of money to take someone from jeans to greens but spends pennies in comparison to take that same person from greens to jeans, not accounting for disability or other benefits we get from our service.

Response by SPC Matt Van Winkle made Jul 8 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-07-08T09:59:33-04:00

They asked me to try to stay. I said no. Deuces!

Response by SSG John Erny made Jul 8 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-07-08T10:05:47-04:00

Yeah, you are an outcast for sure. Left to do odd tasks or deal with the problem kids, at least in my case. Oh yeah, and make the morning coffee! I also did the same thing that the retiring 1SG did with me. I walked around wit the lower enlisted giving suggestions on PCMS, pointing out that not everything is in the 10 manual an to use your eyes, sense of touch and smell. A few took it to heart and passed it on like I did I hope.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-07-08T10:07:21-04:00

I'm with SCPO David Lockwood on this one. I left 6 months after getting back from a deployment. I had told them about three months in advance, so plenty of time for turn over. I was treated like I was a disease, and when they were trying to plan thins I would offer my input they just looked at me with the "why are you talking" expression then go back to their discussion. I was also told while I was deployed I would be receiving a "mid-tour" Commendation for all the work I did for the 3+ years I was there. That medal never matierilized, even though I either helped or on my own created 3 work centers that were mandated by higher HQ that never existed at that base. No farewell or anything, not even a good bye. The base did that to everyone that was leaving active duty. Retirees or personnel PCSing received all the bells and whistles. I felt like a whole service branch turned my back on me. Thankfully I have some friends, previous commanders and other mentors that I still talk to and support me. As a whole, I feel active duty does a non-retiree a disservice and leaves that person with a bad taste in my mouth, and I was not a trouble making NCO, I have an impeccable active duty record so they couldn't even play that card if they tried. Definitely a sore topic for me lol.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 8 at 2015 10:17 AM

2015-07-08T10:17:15-04:00

I have seen the outcast treatment for sure. I don't think its right but it happens.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 8 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-07-08T10:53:47-04:00

I had a special duty. They didn't really want me to leave because of my skill set. They are having a hard time finding a replacement for me, and they still haven't found one. No negative treatment though.

I left in Dec 2014.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 8 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-07-08T11:58:47-04:00

They tried to keep me. Even offered to send me to the E-6 board (I can say now that I was absolutely not ready for that), but once it was clear I was going, I was useless. I wasn't treated poorly, but my needs were most definitely not a priority.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jul 8 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-07-08T12:04:20-04:00

Inverse FIGMO

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 12:06 PM

2015-07-08T12:06:39-04:00

Unfortunately many I know we're simply pushed out. Things sound better now with career fairs and exit orientation but in the past the Army did a dismal Job per everyone I've spoken to.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Jul 8 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-07-08T13:55:31-04:00

Yep...it was more on the lines, as many have said, that after the Right Seat ride is completed with your replacement, your done...you no longer know anything that is relivent to the unit or mission, or your section for that matter. And by no means try to give suggestions to the replacement about the troops and issues you may be aware of that can assist in any situation. Then they think you want to keep things as they were. Yes been there. Hard things is when you are still in the area, and your OLD troops are still asking you questions or for help and then you get shut down.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 2:48 PM

2015-07-08T14:48:56-04:00

Yep, left after 14 years of service. Asked if I wanted to stay and I said if I could I would but even that was promised an award that a command cannot give because I received one already and was given a hard time trying to take care of family matters. Did everything that was asked of me and more but at the end I feel like I was robbed from so much

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 3:20 PM

2015-07-08T15:20:06-04:00

That is the nature of he beast. They won't invest in you anymore when they know they won't get a return They should still take care of you. When I was 3 months from ETSing I was just left to myself. I didn't mind. I have a lot of time to prepare for my transition and do what ever else I wanted.

Response by Sgt Matt Koeneman made Jul 9 at 2015 4:59 AM

2015-07-09T04:59:36-04:00

I wasn't even allowed to set up TMO till 2 weeks before my EAS. There was a six week lead time on it. My family,wife 3 kids, and myself packed what we could in a car camped for 3 days traveling to KY and lost everything had before we left. We couldn't bring it, and with no job at the time couldn't afford rent on our apartment. So we had to donate/trash all of our possessions that didn't fit in the trunk of our car.

Response by CMSgt Lloyd French made Jul 9 at 2015 11:21 AM

2015-07-09T11:21:04-04:00

I've been "out" for 8 years. I've left 3 jobs in that time and there was no luncheon, fanny-patting, or coddling. There are the same people in industry as there are in some military units who seem to take it personally when you decide to "leave the family" and move on toward new opportunities and experience. With that said, it is up to those of us who CAN ... to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. I value the effort of every person, let them know it, and will never let that person leave without fanfare and public recognition for all their accomplishments.

Response by CMSgt Lloyd French made Jul 9 at 2015 11:48 AM

2015-07-09T11:48:45-04:00

I was allowed to attend the transition assistance program seminar on the clock. Job fairs were attended using military leave. Perhaps, because of my rank, I didn't get treated differently until after I got out. Then it did seem different with some (not all) of my military colleagues.