Do You Have any Regrets During Your Service In The Military? Why or Why not?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:57:08 -0500

The Meaning of Regret as depicted by the Merriam Webster dictionary: to feel sad or sorry about (something that you did or did not do) : to have regrets about (something)—used formally and in writing to express sad feelings about something that is disappointing or unpleasant.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regret.
I have a major regret that eats away at me, during my time in the military and post military. That is the loss of a fellow comrades that made the ultimate sacrifice serving DUTY HONOR COUNTRY for the United States of America. I wish I would have spent more time with my decease friend SFC Randy Duane Collins in particular.

https://www.vetfriends.com/memorial/show_bio.cfm?h_index=1106

I have never felt so close to somebody that was ONE IN A MILLION. I am thankful for his service and opportunity to be my BEST FRIEND. We were friends from 1992-2005. I LOOKED up to him in so many ways. I wish we had more time together IN LIFE BROTHER. I have met a lot of comrades that lost their life for my freedom, while serving I am grateful for their Honored Service. All I can say is "ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydWhRObVxrM

regret | to feel sad or sorry about (something that you did or did not do) : to have regrets...

verb | \ri-ˈgret\ | See the full definition...

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 17 at 2015 8:01 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:01:42 -0500

If you spent more than a few moments in the service there are always going to be regrets. We look back and might say "No" but that's because our old man syndrome (CRS) has kicked in. My regrets are the things I did NOT do far more than the things I did. I failed to be better prepared for civilian life. I took assignments that were critical for unit success and stayed in them longer than I should have for possible future promotion potential. I zigged when I should have zagged and caught a 107mm rocket. I wonder if I should have stayed in the infantry? I regret not finishing school much earlier in my career. I regret not getting selected for OCS back in the day. The thing is, who knows where all of those other twists and turns would have taken me in life? I just accept where I am in life and remain extremely grateful for what I have.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 17 at 2015 8:02 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:02:37 -0500

Just one. Why did I wait so long to join?

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 17 at 2015 8:06 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:06:40 -0500

nice one, I think that positive attitude we need to make sure everyone has!

Response by SFC Francisco Roman made Feb 17 at 2015 8:15 PM

SFC Francisco Roman — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:15:05 -0500

I have no regrets, I served my country with pride and joy. It was the job that I took and if in next life I have to be there I will served with honor again. God bless to all of the service man and woman in our military.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 17 at 2015 9:11 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:11:51 -0500

Not a one.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 9:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:13:57 -0500

I only have one regret. I should have gone to dental school and then join the army. The army is a rough world for nurses.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 9:21 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:21:56 -0500

I wish I could have matured sooner in order to be a better NCO to the Soldier's under me. But I had a hell of a time and enjoyed the shit out of it the way it was. - just think in retrospect I could have been better/done more.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 17 at 2015 9:44 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:44:20 -0500

Regrets? I can think of a couple I guess. First, back in '90, I should of extended my contract 8 months and crossed over to CID. Other than that, I wish I would of spent more time on my career. I allowed my job to dictate my career and didn't stand up for myself when it mattered. Anyway, I have had a pretty good run and it is time that I take care of myself. I am looking forward the next chapter in my life.

Response by SFC Josh Jackson made Feb 17 at 2015 10:30 PM

SFC Josh Jackson — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:30:48 -0500

Regrets? I've had a few. But then again, too few to mention.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 10:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:42:18 -0500

Taking a 2 year break in service, only major regret of my life!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 10:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:56:12 -0500

My biggest regret is that I tried to hang on to old school methods for a new and changed Army. I tried to be the old Gunney that was going to beat it into my troops and make them hard chargers. That led me down a bad road and I lost the respect of my superiors. I still to this day wish I would have seen this before I ETS's out as I had planned on making the military a career as my father had! Instead of fighting and trying to prove we were better than the Engineer battalion or whatever, I should have been trying to actually teach my men a better way!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 11:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 23:04:05 -0500

Hindsight is always 20/20. What I learned from my experiences will help me now and in the future; it won't do a damn thing to the past.

That being said, I regret not reaching out to my best friend more - we grew up together and he somehow convinced me to join the Army a year after him. After years of not seeing one another, we ran into one another on a FOB in Afghanistan. It was the last time I saw him before he killed himself days before his 25th birthday last year, a birthday he shares with my youngest son.

My biggest regret was that I couldn't take emergency leave to attend his funeral because he wasn't family by blood.

Response by SGT Tyler H. made Feb 18 at 2015 1:15 AM

SGT Tyler H. — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:15:21 -0500

I had an amazing military career! Right after I was sworn in, I was given sound advice by the officer who said, "The military, like life, is yours for the taking. Go get it." My Dad is still my hero.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Feb 18 at 2015 6:59 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 06:59:26 -0500

Yeah, I've got a few . . . but, then again . . .

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Feb 18 at 2015 8:37 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:37:44 -0500

I regret that I couldn't stay in longer than I did because I know I still had a lot to impart to young Officers/NCOs/Soldiers, but, I wasn't deemed worthy enough of being selected for MSG, so I had to go. Other than that, maybe the "lost" 3 years of my career when I was a recruiter.

Response by PO2 Christopher Clark made Feb 18 at 2015 8:41 AM

PO2 Christopher Clark — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:41:59 -0500

Yes I do! I regret that I wasn't in a role, I feel, that deserves the title of Combat Veteran.
I served in a combat role but from a ship.
I feel the honor and accolades belongs to those with their boots on the ground and those in the hostile airspace.
I will never regret serving, just wish I did more.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Feb 18 at 2015 8:42 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:42:35 -0500

I'm a West Virginia born hillbilly patriot, and I can honestly say it was a honor and privilege to serve my country for the years I did. I have great distance for some of the things I did and was told to do, and a bit of a guilt complex that I survived when so many did not, but since I was not the one calling the shots, the regrets belong to those who did. I just have to live with their, hopefully, regrets which at times is not that easy. God Bless America for all those who have served and those now serving. Sometimes we must lose in order to gain.....no regrets, just want forgiveness from those I could not help and their loved ones!

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 18 at 2015 9:27 AM

SPC Neil Hood — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 09:27:12 -0500

My time as a medic was very rewarding. Deployed and in Garrison.

Response by SrA Timothy Garinger made Feb 18 at 2015 10:02 AM

SrA Timothy Garinger — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 10:02:55 -0500

I have no regrets about my choice to join and serve my country. I have no regrets that I joined right out of high school. I find that there are some decisions that may have not been the right ones, but what I have learned from those and from my time in service has allowed me to grow more as a human being.

I only served 6 years and had planned on making it a career when I first joined but decided to get out and focus on getting my BA in psychology and raising my 2 beautiful girls. Everything that I learned and experienced in those 6 years has shaped me into the kind of father I want for my children, allowed me to make friends across the world, and has also put me through experiences not many people have gone through. Words can not express the changes to an individual that come with serving in the military

The only thing I regret is that I did not serve for more than 6 years.

Response by SGT Edwin Claudio made Feb 18 at 2015 5:10 PM

SGT Edwin Claudio — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:10:07 -0500

On Feb 28, 2011 I was seriously injured by a roadside IED. It put me in a wheelchair, messed up my gunner and killed SPC David R. Fahey our driver. I was there because a year earlier I had re-enlisted so I could leave Camp Darby, It (Cush Cush duty) and deploy from FT Lewis. You know, open a slot for an NCO that needed to take a knee for a few years.

I can honestly say the ONLY regret I have in my entire 13 years of service was not being able to save Fahey.

Rest in paradise Fist Pump Champ

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 5:42 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:42:50 -0500

"I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country." Nathan Hale

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 18 at 2015 7:59 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 19:59:24 -0500

SFC Josh Jackson and Paul Anka have expressed my sentiments exactly!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 18 at 2015 8:12 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 20:12:47 -0500

I have one regret, survivor's guilt actually, for serving in the Adjutant General Corps after a year in Infantry School. It hit me when, serving as the 9th Infantry Division Casualty Reporting Officer, I wrote a letter of condolence on behalf of the Commanding General, to the young bride of a classmate from Infantry Officer Candidate School.

Don't tell me it's irrational. I know it and my wife reminds me everyday.

Emotions are not rational, are they?

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Feb 19 at 2015 1:08 AM

MSG Gerry Poe — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 01:08:55 -0500

No regrets! A few "wish I would haves", but no regrets! 21 years of service, 16 years of leading soldiers! Been a good one!

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made Feb 19 at 2015 11:36 AM

SPC Nate Lamphier — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 11:36:13 -0500

When I signed my contract I had two major decisions to make. One being if I should go OCS/enlisted and that would lead to my second. I have no regrets about selecting the enlisted side of things from the opening....but if I had to go back and do it again I would have picked a combat arms MOS. Other than that, I am happy/proud with everything that the Army provided me.

Response by PO1 Ken Johnson made Feb 19 at 2015 12:22 PM

PO1 Ken Johnson — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:22:14 -0500

2...

I wish I had gone in sooner and not waited two years after graduation.

I wish I had not changed rates (or MOS for you non-Navy folks).

Yes, some duty stations were better than others and maybe I could have done some things differently, but never once have I even thought "I wish I had never joined!" Even saying good-bye to the wife and kids and knowing that I would not see nor hear their voices for 9 months never made me say or think "I wish I hadn't joined!" That SUCKS! and even now with emails, better communications make it easier, but not EASY so I still have a special place in my heart for those of you who still serve.... but those are still the only two regrets I have concerning my time in the military!

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Feb 19 at 2015 3:25 PM

SMSgt Bryan Raines — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 15:25:41 -0500

My biggest regret is that I had to send subordinates on deployments yet was never allowed to go myself. I never tried to do anything to get out of deploying, I just never got sent. I lived by the philosophy that I would never ask or tell my subordinates to do anything I had not done myself. I put in my retirement papers after I was told point blank that a deployed position I was qualified for and volunteered for was going to another person that was being groomed for promotion to E-9. I did not begrudge that person their chance to make E-9 (I knew I was never going to make E-9) but I felt that I still should have been sent.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Feb 19 at 2015 6:13 PM

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 18:13:15 -0500

I sometimes regret not taking my CO's offer to go Green to Gold. I would also say that I am a little resentful of the Army. I wanted nothing more than to be a soldier but it only took the Army 3 years to dissuade me of that notion.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Feb 19 at 2015 7:50 PM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 19:50:00 -0500

A few times I was aggravated enough that I didn't think it was worth 20 years but I stuck it out and overall I have good memories of my time serving. I have no regrets and loved the Navy. Their training gave me the chance to land a decent civilian job.

Response by MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. made Feb 20 at 2015 8:41 AM

MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 08:41:13 -0500

No regrets. I did my best to take care of my soldiers. They came first.

Response by SFC Robert Neidow made Feb 20 at 2015 12:01 PM

SFC Robert Neidow — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 12:01:40 -0500

Yes I wish I had started volunteering at the VA and the DAV 15 years earlier in my career

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 12:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 12:18:26 -0500

No regrets. I did 28 yrs, 10 months. Would have liked to have done more. But in the end, the Army came and went, but my Family has always been my number one priority and I will never think, "boy I wish Id spent more time deployed or at the office rather than watching my girls grow up".

Response by CMSgt Okla Draw made Feb 20 at 2015 12:39 PM

CMSgt Okla Draw — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 12:39:33 -0500

I regret not taking everything my service had offered when I first enlisted. One cannot really understand how many opportunities the military has to offer but as time went on I realized that the life, people, and the honor of serving in the military was the most humbling and greatest thing I could do with my life.

Response by SFC Kenneth Broom made Feb 20 at 2015 1:06 PM

SFC Kenneth Broom — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 13:06:09 -0500

21 years, no regrets was good career. In every job you have good days and bad days, the trick is have a job that had more good days. My years in the Army I had more good days than bad.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 2:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:33:42 -0500

I will never regret my service. Whatever the government may say or do doesn't matter, I'm not serving for the government. I'm serving for the people of this wonderful nation. I serve to uphold and defend the rights of those people as outlined in the constitution and the bill of rights. I will never regret the honor it has been to wear this uniform and put my life on the line so that others won't have to. Serving my country and it's people will never be a burden too Heavy for me to carry.

Response by PO1 Javid Benson made Feb 20 at 2015 9:38 PM

PO1 Javid Benson — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 21:38:22 -0500

HELL YES, I should have learn this a long time ago, but the military is for guys you cant think for themselves and serve 20 plus years earning the rank has senior NCO who cant think for themselves. You get told to stand you stand you get told to sit you sit, you get told to stand a 24 hour watch you stand a 24 hour watch. You get told to leave your family for months and months even years to go and defend freedom and in your return you get nothing. You make great friends along the way, I know I sure have but in hindsight without the port calls and without the comraderie I feel bad for those left behind while we left for deployments. I wish I could get back all the lost time I had with my family cause at the end of the day when the military as used you up and replaced you with another gear on the machine all you have is the family you left to go serve your country in the name of freedom.

Response by SSgt Thomas L. made Feb 21 at 2015 10:49 AM

SSgt Thomas L. — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 10:49:35 -0500

There are things I wish wouldn't have happened and situations I wish had gone differently, but I haven't done anything I would take back. I did my service on my terms, without compromising who I am or what I believe in. I did what was asked of me and never ran from a deployment, but I always put my family first. In the end, that probably cost me my career, as the Air Force is fond of their "bake sale NCOs". I made a few friends, but probably even more enemies. That's fine, as I know the ones who I have befriended like me for *me* and not some phony front. In the end, I'm proud to have served and I like the person the Air Force has shaped me into. What more can one ask?

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Feb 22 at 2015 2:56 AM

MSG Scott McBride — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 02:56:01 -0500

I regret not listening to my grandfather and joining sooner.

Response by LTC Erik Price made Feb 22 at 2015 9:59 AM

LTC Erik Price — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 09:59:13 -0500

Only one, I wish I could've done more.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 22 at 2015 10:28 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 10:28:55 -0500

Personally, after almost 33 years in uniform, I have no regrets. There are many things, I think I would have done differently in retrospect (hindsight), but also believe that if really changed anything everything today would be different (Back the Future Theory). I like the place I ended up each time. Not always easy, but always worth it.

My military regrets (which are ultimately personal) are based our missions and strategic decision making. The places I have been, and loss of life and limb I have seen and experienced, leave being torn about whether it was all worth it. I suspect my brothers/sisters from Vietnam have similar feelings. I am not talking about Grenada, Panama, or Desert Storm, but I am talking Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. I often wonder, as most of us do... is it, or was it worth it. Only history will determine that.

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Feb 22 at 2015 11:35 AM

MSgt Jim Pollock — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 11:35:02 -0500

Other than a few career path decisions, I have few regrets from my time in-service. I'm proud of my service and feel I did as well or better than the typical 20-year guy.

From a whole-life perspective, however, I have to admit I occasionally wonder if a full military career was a smart decision--in the practical sense only. As a 40-something, most of my civilian age-group peers are peaking in their chosen careers in terms of influence and earning power. I'm transitioning and looking to starting anew as a middle aged entry-level guy.

It's true that many civiians choose to change careers during this time in their life. The difference is that that is their choice. A military career is always finite due to its tenure rules; 20-30 years is the maximum for almost everyone. I've done the math and I'll need to work at about 10 more years than a person that started a law enforcement career the same year I enlisted to achieve similar financial security in retirement.

Yes, this outlook varies based on each individual's saving and investment habits, but the fact remains--most military careers end involuntarily during the member's peak working years.

Perhaps I'm simply sensitive to all this given I'm in the midst of my transition, and it isn't fun. I do wonder, however, if this is the kind of "sacrifice" most folks envisioned when they signed up?

Cheers everyone!

Response by SPC Brandon Spray made Feb 22 at 2015 11:54 AM

SPC Brandon Spray — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 11:54:05 -0500

Nope, I would do it all over again, even knowing that the outcome would be the same.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Feb 22 at 2015 2:24 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 14:24:12 -0500

40 Ways to Live Life Without Regrets

“The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~ Unknown

We all have something stored in our memory banks of the past that we wish we could have done differently, or something we wish we didn’t do.

As we get older we learn and grow, but that doesn’t mean we have to regret what we did before we learned how to do things differently. If we didn’t go through those experiences, we might not have grown into the strong and knowledgeable people we are today.

What I’m proposing is that we get rid of the negative thoughts—the could haves, might haves, and should haves—and start living a life that won’t make us feel regretful. Not even at an older, wiser age.

Here is a list of things you can do to practice living life with no regrets:

1. Realize that it’s okay to make mistakes. Just make sure to learn from them, forgive yourself, and move on.

2. Make your health and wellness a top priority and always take care of yourself so you’re ready to take care of others.

3. Follow your own path, not one that others want you to follow.

4. Find the humor in life and laugh like there is no tomorrow.

5. Relax and move with the flow of life by being unafraid of change.

6. Be adventurous by trying new things and taking more risks.

7. Have more intellectual curiosity and embrace creativity.

8. Try to find happiness with as many different people as you can.

9. Think for yourself instead of letting other people’s opinions influence you too much.

10. Try not to judge people before you get to know them.

11. Be thankful for what you have now instead of thinking about what you don’t have.

12. Wish well upon everyone equally and try to admire without envy.

13. Share your happiness with others instead of hoarding it all for yourself.

14. Don’t try to change someone—love who they are now.

15. Enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

16. Know that happiness is bigger than any bank account.

17. Control negative thoughts so that they don’t contribute to the outcome of your life.

18. Use your energy wisely because spending energy complaining, worrying, or being impatient is just wasted energy.

19. Be bold. Find the courage to change things that should be changed and accept that there are some things that cannot be changed.

20.Love your work. If you don’t currently love what you do, figure out what you would love and take the first step toward that life.

21. Turn your discontent into a mystery and enjoy trying to solve it.

22. Face problems from different angles in order to find solutions.

23. Gain independence by realizing that on this earth we are all dependent upon each other.

24. Change your perspective by taking on a wider view of things.

25. Don’t waste time trying to bring disagreeable people around to liking you.

26. Become the person you would like to spend the rest of your life with.

27. Be honest with yourself and others by saying what you mean and meaning what you say.

28. Treat people with respect and compassion.

29. Live in the now by loving the present and being aware of your thoughts and actions. Think happy thoughts and speak powerful words.

30. Try not to put things off until later.

31. Never hold grudges.

32. Face your fears head on and try to do the things that you think you cannot do.

33. Spend time with people who make you happy while also not depending on other people for your own happiness.

34. Stand up for yourself and others and don’t let anyone or anything hold you back.

35. Be yourself and love who you are now.

36. Be a participant in life rather than an observer.

37. Do the things that you love to do as much as you can.

38. Write out a list of goals and achieve them by doing them step by step. Don’t give up when things get difficult.

39. Do something every day that makes you feel proud of yourself—commit random acts of kindness whenever you get the chance.

40. And always keep on moving forward.

I know it seems like a rather large list of things to take on, but you can accomplish a lot on this list by doing just one thing. For example, right now as I’m typing this I’m putting into practice at least eighteen things.

Put these things into practice and see where life takes you, without regrets. And please comment below. I’d love to read your thoughts on this.
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/40-ways-to-live-life-without-regrets/

40 Ways to Live Life Without Regrets

As we get older we learn and grow. But that doesn’t mean we have to regret what we did before we learned how to do things differently.

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Feb 22 at 2015 2:44 PM

LTJG Robert M. — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 14:44:22 -0500

One - after returning from a TEMAD deployment during Desert Storm, I resumed my CMCO duties without doing an audit, came back to bite me in large way, when being relieved upon departure, my relief found two TS messages stapled together under one control number. This "Administrative Error" became the one black mark on my career. Kept me from becoming full LT. I would do it all over again, even knowing that the outcome would be the same.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Feb 22 at 2015 3:14 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 15:14:18 -0500

My only regret was not being able to serve in the branch of my choice.

I wanted to be a Marine, but couldn't due to health issues (I had asthma).

But then, it was a good thing that I didn't because I would have never met my wife had I been a Marine.

Response by SSG Adam Reed made Feb 22 at 2015 6:08 PM

SSG Adam Reed — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 18:08:29 -0500

My only regret is that everything I did was for the Army. I rarely did anything for myself. I'm not blaming the military or anyone else for this. I just believed the Army came first. I even slowed my promotions because I put the Army first. I.E. I did missions instead of promotion schools. Now 20+ yrs later I retired as an E-6 but don't get paid until I'm 60. I have no civilian higher education to fall back on. And I'm sure the Army could care less either way. Funny thing is, I'd do it all over again if they'd let me.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Feb 23 at 2015 8:15 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 08:15:46 -0500

I regret not trying my chances with a pro-deployment physical. If I would have went with my gut feeling, I would have either been medically separated or spent the last year in Afghanistan as an EOD Team Leader. I regret not forcing my command to release me for deployment in 2004, instead of cooling my jets, training and watching kids march off to war. I regret being too stupid to realize my expertise and knowledge was not needed for training (the line I was fed), but, doing and leading.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 12:10 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 00:10:05 -0500

I think everyone has some type of regrets,one of the ones I have is not staying in back in 94 when Clinton was basically giving everyone there walking papers :) I took the money and got out but I have fixed that regret by coming back in in 2005 after 11 years.

Response by SSG Everett Wilson made Feb 24 at 2015 6:17 AM

SSG Everett Wilson — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 06:17:27 -0500

Sometimes I wish I would have done some thing differently. I have been put in situations that I would never had been in before and I have seeked out certain jobs that would assist me in getting experience that I wouldn't have gotten other wise. I learned from that and have used that experience to teach soldiers. I have obtained other MOS'. Everyone says what ever you do DO NOT VOLUNTEER. With my five deployments, when they needed a volunteer I was glad that I stepped up to the line. I've been told by people that my military service didn't mean a thing. I looked at those individuals, see what they have done besides sit in a chair at home when I was standing guard in Iraq, Germany, or where ever. my favorite quotes is from Henry Clay..."I was born an American.. I have lived as an American...I will live as an American." "Thank God I am an American." and Gen Patton..."You don't die for you country...you make that other son of a b** die for his." I'm very proud of my service, I did what I had to, and I didn't hide at home when the rounds came my way

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 3:52 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 15:52:25 -0500

My biggest professional regrets are not attending as many promotions and retirement ceremonies and military funerals as possible, even if I did not know the person but got that email blanket invite. I learned a few years ago how much these truly mean to the families involved and in many ways honoring that person publicly means so much.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 24 at 2015 7:43 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 19:43:19 -0500

Definitely not, my West Point and active duty years were the most formative of my life and gave me the foundation for future success.

I still love the guard and glad that I am still able to wear the uniform.

The diverse and unique experiences, the people that I have met, the expertise and skills I learned, and the different places I have traveled to have really shaped who I am today.

My only regret would have been to do more if I could!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 5:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 05:43:03 -0500

I often look back and wish I had stayed the course, done my 20 and retired around 2006. Heck, maybe I'd be a CSM going on 29 years TIS today if I hadn't gotten out. Maybe I'd be one of the many fallen Service members of OIF/OEF. But I look back and remember that I had a good (not great) life that I enjoyed those 14 years I was a civilian. I regret saying f@@k it and leaving the army without a plan for the future.

I look back and wish I'd been more disciplined about doing army correspondence courses and college as a young private in order to get promotion points. I wish I had saved money instead of blowing it all.

This isn't a regret but something I wish had happened. I wish as a young private coming fresh out of OSUT to my first duty station, my leaders had sat me down, asked what my goal(s) for my military career were and drew me out a road map in order to achieve them. This is why I am so adamant about sitting my Soldiers (regardless of TIS or rank) down and asking them what their goal(s) are for their military career and helping them map out a course of action.

I did make sure upon my return to active duty in 2006 that I took every correspondence course I could get signed up for. I accumulated about 110 sub-courses completed out of 117 enrolled in and one or two complete modules totaling 761 credit hours in about 10-12 months.

But all in all I have to say that I have been pretty successful in my military career. Regrets? Yeah I have them. But I don't let them rule my life.

Life is where you get the test first and then the lessons.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 7:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 19:52:59 -0500

There are many regrets that I deal with internally. And everyday I think about what I could of done differently to save those lives when I was down range.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 7:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 07:08:28 -0500

The closest to a regret is marrying, or not divorcing, the Dependa and staying in. She went and pissed off everyone and was working her way up the CoC.

Response by MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. made Mar 18 at 2015 12:16 PM

MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:16:44 -0400

No regrets. Took care of my soldiers - took care of my family. 23 years!!!

Response by SCPO Albert Lee Smith made Mar 20 at 2015 12:18 PM

SCPO Albert Lee Smith — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:18:27 -0400

The ONLY regret I have is that I started smoking while in the Navy. Pain in the keester to quit.

Other than that; absolutely not.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 11 at 2015 4:44 PM

SGT John Wesley — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 16:44:39 -0400

My regret was I got caught in the RIF after Desert Storm and did not fight it. Felt a bit betrayed by the bean counters up in the puzzle palace.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 1 at 2015 1:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 01 May 2015 13:38:40 -0400

No regrets. We all get out differently though.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 1:45 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 May 2015 13:45:27 -0400

My only regret is as a young Soldier I waited to long to start pushing myself to help my career.

Response by SPC Brandon Soileau made May 1 at 2015 7:37 PM

SPC Brandon Soileau — Fri, 01 May 2015 19:37:17 -0400

I regret that I didn't do the full 20-years. I cheated myself by not living up to my full-potential. I've been out 7-years, and I kick myself everyday for getting out.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 21 at 2015 3:07 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Thu, 21 May 2015 15:07:17 -0400

My only regret is that I didn't goto Jump Master School. I had 41 jumps before I retired and really wanted to get my Sr Parachutist. I had two chances to go and instead of doing the difficult thing I blew them off thinking they'd come around. Candor. Blah!

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made May 21 at 2015 11:01 PM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Thu, 21 May 2015 23:01:28 -0400

The only thing I regret is that I stayed Stateside for so long before I got stationed in Europe, those were BY FAR the best in the life of my family. I have no career regrets, I did exactly what was right for me during my time, reaching those Airmen I could, and being the best I could be in my primary AFSC/MOS.

Response by Cpl D L Parker made Apr 13 at 2016 11:40 PM

Cpl D L Parker — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 23:40:16 -0400

I wish I had gone on a Med Float or Far East Tour while I was in. Living in Japan was cool but I'd prefer to set foot in a bunch of different countries. I wish I had played football for 3rd Battalion instead of taking a class. The degree I earned was unless.