Do you wish you had stayed in the military, and if so, why?

I got out in 1980 at he age of 22, because of a few reason. 1) during my last year in, my CO cancelled my leave because it wasn't feasible, I couldn't accept that answer, but could it of been a test. 2) I worked on C130, but my advancement test where on B52 & F4 systems, did not understand that. 3) family wanted me to go to college. Looking back, maybe a change in branches might of been the difference, but I have been thinking that I should of stayed in, I think I would of enjoyed a career and the travel that comes with different assignments. Plus I could be retiring at 40 years in 2016. Had a great career as a Air Traffic Controller, but there is something about military life that I still miss.

I did stay in the Navy long enough to retire (20 years and 8 days). Even if I could have stayed in longer I wouldn't have. I knew I was ready to move on.

Yes I do. The Army had offered me so much in the way of education,leadership and new experiences. Besides that, I had a lot of fun. I was a 91B10 combat medic from 1978 through 1981. Fort Leonard Wood was my basic training, Fort Sam Houston was my AIT, Fort Benning was my jump school (I injured my back there so no go to the 82nd).

My first permanent party station was Fort Rucker,Alabama. There I worked in Lyster Army Hospital in the emergency room. I worked as a MP in the Game Warden section for 90 days. Then I also worked as a high powered hoist operator on a UH-1a for a few months. I enjoyed going back and forth to Atlanta and also to different places in Florida including Walt Disney World twice and Keys West.

In March 1980, I was sent to an awful division. I was sent to the 25th Infantry Division...HAWAII !!! Wow! What luck. It was a pure blast there. The beaches, the women, the weather, the island. I could not have been more luckier. I worked in the Troop Medical Clinic, Schofield Barracks. In the Kahuku Training Area, where the infantry trained their sergeants, I would work as the medical officer in charge since they did not send nurses or doctors to work there.

Early in 1981, I was sent with my unit B company, 25th Med. BN, 25th Light Infantry Division to South Korea. I was sent there a month early with the port crew to Camp Hialeah, Pusan South Korea. Then I was sent north to Chuncheon or Camp Page. Then back to Pusan with the port crew. I had fun in Korea. I knew I would probably never make it back there so I did all I could to make it a good time.

Yep, I missed all that and I missed all the friends I made in the military. Some went on to Desert Storm. But at the time I was only 22 years old and wanted to go back to my family who were missing me. I went back home and started working right away and time just passed to quickly. Responsibilities happened. So I never re-upped.