I'm undecided on whether to get out. Should I try to get stationed close to my hometown or somewhere else?

2018-01-21T21:48:16-05:00

Im undecided on whether I'm getting out or not. Should I get stationed at ft drum, which is close to my home, to set up my life at home in case I decide to leave or should I go somewhere else and try to set up life at home from there? I'm thinking about drum from a strategic standpoint.

Response by 1LT Jon Sigafoos made Jan 21 at 2018 10:04 PM

2018-01-21T22:04:55-05:00

SPC Gaige Smith,
COL Mikel Burroughs had a great Motivational Quote that follows your question. https://victoryforveterans.org/sunday-january-21-2018-motivational-quotes-day/ . My responds to you is to have a plan. Which it sounds like you are making one. When I got out it seemed like the right reasons but now I know I was not true to myself. You have to do what is best for you. Best of luck!

Sunday, January 21, 2018 - Motivational Quotes for the Day! - Victory for Veterans

Sunday, January 21, 2018 – Motivational Quotes for the Day! Good Morning Everyone and Happy Sunday! Today is: “Wisdom Day!” Why Not? “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” — Aristotle “With age comes …

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jan 21 at 2018 11:01 PM

2018-01-21T23:01:54-05:00

If you plan on going back to your place of birth or home from when joined then I think you should get stationed close to home so when you contract about to expire it will be an easier transition to civilian life cause you can look for a job while getting out and you will be already home so yo Won’t have to go far!

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Jan 22 at 2018 2:15 AM

2018-01-22T02:15:44-05:00

What is it you want to do if you get out? Are there opportunities to do that in the area of your home town or are there more opportunities elsewhere? If they are somewhere else then many companies, depending upon the demand for your skills will pay for your move so you can save your home of record move (or at least you used to be able to) so if things don't work out you can move back . Also, as indicated elsewhere, have a plan about a year before you pull the plug and I would suggest that that plan might include affiliating with a reserve unit. I suggest that for three reasons. First if you are going to go into a field related to your active duty specialty you can network in the reserves. Secondly you can advance and acquire retirement points while in the reserves. You are young now but the new rules on retirement are similar to reserve retirement, third, having been there , there are temporary active duty opportunities that can bridge periods of unemployment and economic downturn.
What would be your reasons for staying in? What opportunities are there within your specialty? (Some of these questions may seem strange but you are in a different service than I was.) How close to retirement are you? Also you might want to check the regulations regarding reserve affiliation. It used to be that you had to have at least 8 years left to serve or something like that . Just some thoughts, they are free so take them for what they are worth....

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 22 at 2018 9:14 AM

2018-01-22T09:14:37-05:00

This is something you have to decide for yourself. My only advice is to figure out what is best for you and make sure you are prepared to get out. I can't stress the preparation enough. Regardless if you just finish this enlistment or you go to retirement, you need to prepare yourself for the day you get the DD-214 blanket. Things change, you change, so what you decide today my be different tomorrow. I originally was planning on going until retirement. However, things changed and my decision changed. So the moral of the story is save as much as you can to help get you set up when you get out.