I don't want to get out, but I don't have the passion like I had before. What advice do you have?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 08:49:55 -0400

I don't want to ETS, but I don't have the passion I once had. I don't know what happen to it. I don't want to be a shit bag NCO.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 9:24 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:24:46 -0400

Life cycles. We are not always on the high. Sometimes it get very low. Be patient.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Aug 12 at 2016 9:28 AM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:28:00 -0400

If your heart is not in it...it is time to go. Because if not...you will be just going through the motions and you will not be going your best from your heart. You seem to have lost purpose. We all understand that feeling. I know we at times place expectation on things and when those expectation are not fullfilled we loose interest or passion. A change of duty station or scenery will usually result in the same feelings eventually. Whatever decision you make just remember life is what you make it and we are just here to learn and grow. Whatever path you take it will be ok....just pick a direction and go. But follow your heart.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 9:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:40:17 -0400

No passion in the Army? No passion in your MOS? No passion in your duty assignment?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 12 at 2016 9:45 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:45:10 -0400

PCS..... the change in atmosphere, learning a new area, unit, post and likley job or at least the tasks specific to that job location may bring back some "fun" and interest. If not, you tired and you can use that time to plan your exit.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 10:54 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:54:52 -0400

PCS changes perspectives. Another option is to reclassify into another job that you may enjoy more.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 10:58 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:58:22 -0400

We all find ourselves in the doldrums once in a while.
What that should tell us is that we need to find something new and challenging. Something that will get the fire back.
For me, it was digging in deep in training. Breaking down the METL, getting deep into the weeds, building realistic, fun, and challenging training events, and watching it all take root and build my unit. I found fulfilment again after all those deployments, and I got my mojo back.
The Army is a big place. Your niche is out there.
Talk to your first line and brainstorm ideas that are right for you, then go for it.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 12 at 2016 11:36 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:36:17 -0400

Ask for more responsibilities. In the Navy we called them collateral duties. If toxic leadership is part of the problem, be a good NCO and do what you can to improve it. Your junior Soldiers will notice that and respect you more for it.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 12 at 2016 11:38 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:38:42 -0400

Passion waxes and wanes constantly. It's a poor anchor for any decision. Look deeper. And if your don't want to be "a shit bag NCO", don't. It's a choice, just like getting out or staying in.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Aug 12 at 2016 11:47 AM

MSG Pat Colby — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:47:12 -0400

I'd like for you to hit up your local American Legion and VFW. Talk to those Folks that did their 3/5/8 years and left. I'll guarantee that every one of them are kicking themselves in the ass for getting out before their 20. Keep your eye on the prize.

Everyone has something that they like to do and do well that sets them apart from the crowd. Determine what that is for you and start mentoring others in that Skill Set.

Should you decide to ETS, what are your plans? The cost of Health insurance alone should scare the shit out of you. The grass is not always greener.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 12 at 2016 12:28 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:28:15 -0400

Two answers... either get out or get orders somewhere else, because chances are you might be in a rut because of your command environment.

The advice that was given to me is that when it stops being fun, that's when it's time to take your papers and walk away. So are you still having fun? You might not be as passionate because of your current troops, maybe higher ups, maybe the politics of the job. Plenty of reasons.

You might just need a new change of scenery. I still love the Marine Corps, but I couldn't deal with the indecisiveness of it when it came to the future of my family, so I walked. Now I work as a private contractor doing the exact same thing I did in the Corps and I get to work with Marines. So I've still got the feeling of brotherhood without any of the bullshit that comes along with the service.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 12:49 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:49:41 -0400

I cant speak to what will or will not motivate you. but I can tell you what motivates me. for me knowing that what I do affects the outcome of something bigger than me and important matters. it fills me with pride. to me working with, in my case, Airmen and mentoring them or correcting them matters. connecting with people matters. seeking processes to improve matters. many have suggested that you look into a PCS, I think that is a great idea. my one addition to that, and I don't know what you do in the Army, is that when you get to where ever they send you; walk into the platoon sergeant's office or whatever you have and ask for additional duties or areas of responsibility, become the "go-to" guy, albeit humbly. my two cents

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Aug 12 at 2016 1:14 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:14:13 -0400

Shit bag NCO is a choice, so if you stay in choose to do better, otherwise the 2LT will take over.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Aug 12 at 2016 1:22 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:22:54 -0400

Find a new passion, PCS or find a new job. This could be a temporary thing and ETS may not be the answer you are looking for.

If you do get out, make sure you have a job waiting for you before you get out. Otherwise, your life will really suck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 3:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 15:05:29 -0400

get another MOS

Response by Wil Morris made Aug 12 at 2016 3:08 PM

Wil Morris — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 15:08:14 -0400

Dont get out the civi world is on drugs

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 12 at 2016 3:20 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 15:20:04 -0400

It is the contractors they choose to award the contracts too..they should include the clause in ALL CONTRACTS that the contractor will be penalized if XXXX amount of time past due date....then XXXXX amount of time past that date...and so on and so on...

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 5:33 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:33:37 -0400

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member All careers will have highs and lows. Rededicate yourself to being the best NCO that you can be. You and only you can decide what kind of NCO you are. if you are married, you need to talk this over with your wife. Before you get out you better know what you want to do as a civilian. Being a civilian is not all milk and honey. If you have a new career in mind, do you have the skills and education needed for that job? Plan and then do.

Response by PO3 Steven Stinnett made Aug 12 at 2016 7:00 PM

PO3 Steven Stinnett — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 19:00:04 -0400

that comes with age, like the slogan, 'just do it'

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 7:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 19:13:04 -0400

PCS might be an option, also as an E-5 you could consider going Warrant. If you're active, consider joining the National Guard as a transition out or maybe you'll find something there. Ultimately do what's good for you and your family SGT.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Aug 12 at 2016 7:45 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 19:45:47 -0400

A lot of good advice and personal illustrations to a thought provoking question. No set answer on this one. I lost my 'spirit of the bayonet' as sometimes said in the MC, and not being able to get my mojo back had to hang it up. No regrets and glad I did before I became a totally negative influence on troops. Troops deserve the best a person can offer.

Response by CPL Anthony Slaughter made Aug 12 at 2016 7:59 PM

CPL Anthony Slaughter — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 19:59:53 -0400

PCS, Reclass, do a school that you never considered before, put in a Warrant packet, go Green to Gold, etc. There's lots of options for if you don't want to get out, but need something different.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Aug 12 at 2016 9:00 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 21:00:58 -0400

Being a little down for a bit won't make you a shit bag. Work through it. If you think or decide it's never coming back them get out. Give it a minute.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 12 at 2016 9:39 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 21:39:06 -0400

I wrote of this on here once before, however, I just thought I might offer it here also. It's very easy, I'd found, to "lose one's way", if you will, I think k, while on active. I've been out over three decades now, and miss it every day. You need to try to find new stimuli for your mind, to try to captivate your cupidity, if you will, and rekindle your ambition. For example, if you might possibly elaborate somewhat, if you could discuss your hobbies, interests, ambitions so far as you might perceive them at the moment, discussing those here might well, I think, help, to no small extent. Boredom contributes, I've found, very greatly to loss of one's sense of direction. There are certain universal common denominator to all careers, education, what ones actual day to day tasks are, and avocations one might try to somehow turn into an occupation, if you will. Purely as some examples, when I was in, I tried, not as much as I ought to have sought, to make use of such aspects of installation life as the aero club where I was, martial arts training on the installation and or off, scuba training, PME involving other svcs, besides that of USAF which I was in, grad level coursework, volunteering for the company grade officer's council (CGOC), professional military associations of various types, technical societies relevant to what I was doing at the time before my now total perm disability, etc. I'm not saying that to have that be an exhaustive list, certainly, merely to try offering some concrete ideas, if you will. I also tried getting involved with civil air patrol (CAP), and also extensive reading off the USAF reading list (I was most fortunate that the libraries on installation where I was were actually quite good). I hope that was of some use I'd also ask to do permissive TDY, to try to attend events or activities with other svcs near you, at nearby installations. Are you doing your Assoc? Bach? Masters? Doctoral? Would you want to? Could you go further for technical training in your field? There's also the USCG auxiliary which has very extensive training apart from that in CAP. Have you ever considered an intersvc transfer? Would you want warrant? Commissioned? Obv that's something only you can decide, certainly, though I realize you might of course prefer senior NCO as a career, by all means. I do hope all that at least helped to some extent, I'd be most eager to hear more, if you might care to elaborate further, as I'd said, whenever convenient, many thanks.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 10:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 22:55:32 -0400

Have you considered reclass to a new MOS? Buddy of mine recently decided he was burned out, and passed up on a $12,000 re-enlistment bonus to reclass to heavy equipment operator. If it weren't for the reclass option, I don't believe that he would have reupped.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Aug 13 at 2016 12:13 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 12:13:22 -0400

Have you thought of an MOS change? There are some pretty interesting jobs opened to us, so maybe you ought to take a look before you make the choice, my brother, because its hard as hell out here if your job on the Inside, doesn't translate to a good career on the Outside. Just give it a thought... just saying.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2016 12:55 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 00:55:29 -0400

First, try to figure out what or who caused you to lose your passion. Then, determine if you can get it back. If you can, kick it in high gear!!! Be advised that getting out means enrolling in a Rat Race you wouldn't believe, that is, if you want to eat, drink, and pay the bills. Talk about losing passion, civilian life is not for the faint of heart!!!

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Aug 14 at 2016 1:17 AM

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 01:17:12 -0400

When is your ETS? What other options are you considering?

Response by SGT John Roberio made Aug 16 at 2016 11:26 AM

SGT John Roberio — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:26:00 -0400

If you don't have the passion to lead anymore than I say your job is done, as long as you can say you did it the right way! Best of luck to you and thanks for your service!

Response by TSgt Ron Charpia made Aug 19 at 2016 3:21 PM

TSgt Ron Charpia — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 15:21:20 -0400

Look into special duty assignments and work on your education. Plan for the future.

Response by SPC Bill Earley made Aug 19 at 2016 8:15 PM

SPC Bill Earley — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 20:15:13 -0400

I can only say take some time to sort things out and really make sure you want out .I let a few bad apples get next to me but I always looked back and wished I had stayed in . It's all about what you feel strongly that will make your decision.Good luck on your choice.

Response by SPC James Anderson made Sep 8 at 2016 6:39 PM

SPC James Anderson — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 18:39:55 -0400

I think the military is something you need to love. All the shit people go through everyday can only be endured by love or passion for what you are doing. Its a sign to leave. The military will grind you down once you lose that passion and each day will just get harder. No sense in doing that to yourself.

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Sep 9 at 2016 10:56 AM

SA Jim Arnold — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 10:56:56 -0400

I feel the friendships we had and the brotherhood we were a part of, runs a little deeper than that of a civilian angle.
Just like my years of commercial fishing.......when you put 4 or 5 guys on a 90' fishing vessel for 2 weeks at a time, 200 miles out to sea, in 15' to 20' seas at times, you form a trusting bond like no other.

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Sep 9 at 2016 12:51 PM

SMSgt Roy Dowdy — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 12:51:28 -0400

At my 12 year mark was absolutely miserable in maintenance and each day was a challenge to go into work, but I escaped back into operations the following year. Lo and behold, life became beautiful again and I stayed for another 18 years! Life can be good again if you change your situation!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 1:06 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 13:06:04 -0400

Update. I tried some of the advice. Their's on 3 places I can PCS to Fort Hood, Fort Polk, Fort Bliss. I'm already station at fort hood. I tired leaving my plt for another job my plt Sgt and first Sgt want let me move on.