For those in for 5+ years. What makes you want to get out? What is making you hang in there? If you got out, do you wish you stayed?

2015-11-14T20:04:46-05:00

I often hear stories of Service Members who have had it with the Military and automatically decide to leave. I understand that the military is not for everyone but I know a lot of us can agree that there were a lot of good ones who left the ranks. I'm not saying that I am one of those good ones but I have hit my crossroads with the Army here and there. I almost gave it up a few times. It is lovely when there are highs and gruesome there are lows.

The following questions I believe applies to anyone whose been in for more than 5 years with no injuries or those who decided to get out after your obligation is completed.

What makes you want to get out?

What is making you hang in there?

If you got out, do you wish you stayed?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 14 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-11-14T21:26:16-05:00

Like other soldiers, at the 10 year mark I decided I might as well finish out my career.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 15 at 2015 6:37 PM

2015-11-15T18:37:02-05:00

For me, I knew when it was time to retire. I was no longer a PT stud and I just did not have it in me to be a productive leader. The Army needs good and motivated leaders. The soldiers deserve that.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 15 at 2015 10:45 PM

2015-11-15T22:45:08-05:00

Got out because promotions were frozen, and did not like the options I was given.
Came back in, into reserves, but different branch, because there were no career specific units that were anywhere near me in the Corps.
Moved to another state and switched services again. Stayed with it because I love the service, and all that goes into serving. No regrets.
I would say that the choice to leave comes in many flavors: perceived wrongs, promotions, spouses, deployments, tragedies, etc....
The choice to come back is typically what was missed, patriotism, camaraderie, esprit de corps and/or financial/retirement bennies.
And, having been around for a minute, I have learned that there are many, not all, who do wish they had stayed. My advice to those getting is out is to at least CONSIDER going into Guard/Reserves. But, that experience will change from unit to unit, just like with Active Duty. In any unit, there can be good or bad leadership, high or low morale etc.
I know a great many who have served 1-2 terms, and gone to the house, proud, and deservedly so. Staying in for a career is not easy (in any branch or capacity-AD, Guard, Reserve).
The best advice I could give, is to not make a permanent decision when mad. They rarely turn out to be the best.

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Nov 15 at 2015 11:32 PM

2015-11-15T23:32:22-05:00

By the time I left(actually, a couple years before I left), there wasn't much keeping me there. I was getting a paycheck but I had lost the love of being there I had when I joined, for many reasons(which I'm not gonna go into here).

I've been out for about 6 months now(8 if you count terminal) but right now I don't see myself going back in.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-11-16T11:54:43-05:00

I believe that anything after 5 years is a very personal decision. If you decide to stay, those with goals tend to stay longer and have careers that are more fulfilling. Those that stay because life happened or they just want to get to 20 tend to be more irritated by any change in their service or lack of change. These of course of generalities and backed up by nothing more than my observations over the last almost 20 years.

I choose to stay because I love putting on the uniform everyday and being around the most inspiring people in the world...the 1% who serve. I like to think that I can make some difference in Airmen's lives and some small difference in the Air Force as a whole, that keeps me fired up and coming to work everyday.