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

2015-06-05T17:11:54-04:00

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 5 at 2015 6:46 PM

2015-06-05T18:46:08-04:00

There are aspects I miss. Most importantly the people and the sense of purpose.

It was time for me to get out. I made the right decision at the right time, for me and my family. I have no regrets about that.

That said, if there was another opportunity (like a phone call saying "we could use you"), I would be happy to do it again.

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made Jun 5 at 2015 7:48 PM

2015-06-05T19:48:09-04:00

I am actually still in, however I retire (medically) in a week. After my last tour to Iraq I fought the MEB twice, but was found unfit the third time. I am proud of my service and love the military, so I will most definitely miss it. At the same time, part of me can't wait to get out, grow a beard and become lazy (ok, maybe not that last one). The military will always be a part of me.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 5 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-06-05T19:53:50-04:00

God yes. I am even working on trying to at least get in the Guard.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jun 5 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-06-05T20:01:38-04:00

I was out for 15 years and often wished I was back in. But I had to remind myself that I got out so that I could be there to raise my kids. However, when they raised the age limit, allowing old guys to come back into the fold, my boys were in high school. This allowed me the opportunity to come back in, as a 40 year old PV2. I got to come back and do what I love so much, for another eight fantastic years.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jun 5 at 2015 9:09 PM

2015-06-05T21:09:19-04:00

I retired in 2010 after nearly 21 years active service. While I am happy to be home with a satisfying second career, I miss the camaraderie of my military friends and coworkers.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 5 at 2015 11:31 PM

2015-06-05T23:31:50-04:00

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.

Response by SPC Charles Johnson made Jun 6 at 2015 8:37 AM

2015-06-06T08:37:11-04:00

No I don't but I didn't get out of the Military because I didn't like the Army it was the people that I had worked with for 5 years that just changed as so as we got back from Desert Shield / Desert Storm.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-06-06T13:24:52-04:00

Wish I could have. Damn draw down screwed that all up!

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jun 6 at 2015 2:37 PM

2015-06-06T14:37:26-04:00

I served over 10 years and from the outside looking in, one would think I'd make it a full 20. However, things changed in my year. For starters, what was considered normal, everyday stuff for me (the job, CC call, remount, PT) wasn't sitting too well with my wife (girlfriend at the time). Second, the structure on flight and within the squadron was changing dramatically. Gone were the NCOs who trusted me on the road doing the job. The new regime kept posting me on gates and the flight line upon my return from deployment. Both posts were considered a waste of my ability and the only time I drew the assignment, it was a mistake. Finally, the nail in the coffin was a shoulder problem in my last year. Diagnosed with sick scapula syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitus, I was limited to gates or desk duty until being reassigned as an armorer. This wouldn't have been a deal breaker, but there were whispers that I was malingering so I could skate in my last year. Considering, my record prior to this, it was a huge insult and affected me the rest of the enlistment. To appreciate the full exert of how much it bothered me, my morale and attitude was at an all-time low and ended up costing me a MSM.

Over four years later, my life isn't where I'd envisioned it. I earned a degree,but other than that I've really had nothing to show for it. My life and marriage is a constant struggle and I absolutely hate what I've become. I'm not saying this to draw sympathy; I'm saying it because it's how I feel. Had I known then what I know now, I would have stayed in the Air Force and made it work.

Response by SFC Joey Jimenez made Jun 6 at 2015 3:43 PM

2015-06-06T15:43:46-04:00

I served 24 years, 7 months and 12 days and on my last day IN I was still enlisting new soldiers as one of the best Recruiters in my Battalion. Success brought hate from leadership because they would have liked to bleed me dry. I loved the Army, but I saw a huge change on Recruiting duty and because of that I am glad I am out! I became salty, disgruntled and realized I needed to care for my own health and prepare for the future, but my command had an issue so they medically retired me. That was the best deal that could have ever happened to me. Unknowingly they did me a favor, while trying to kick me to the curb. I make more money retired as an active duty person without any headaches...I am free as a bird!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 6 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-06-06T21:24:41-04:00

Nope, the writing was on the wall. It was time to leave.

Response by Sgt Bruce C. made Nov 20 at 2015 12:19 AM

2015-11-20T00:19:18-05:00

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.

Response by SPC Jim Jay made Mar 25 at 2016 10:18 PM

2016-03-25T22:18:19-04:00

I have always been an outsider that couldn't fit in anywhere. The Army was the only place that I fit in. They tried to persuade me to stay - but I thought I would try civilian life. I found a woman that loved me and I got married. I would have gone back in the military. But, I got roped into a religious cult and years later when I finally seen through the brain washing that took place in my life. I was too old to go back in. If I would have stayed in I would have retired in 1980.

Response by SPC Gene Johnson Jr made Sep 20 at 2018 3:25 AM

2018-09-20T03:25:20-04:00

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.