If you plan on making a career out of the military, is there any downside to reenlisting for 6 years?

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 20:05:45 -0400

If a service member plans on serving 20+ years in the military, is there any downside to reenlisting for the maximum amount of time?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2016 8:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 20:12:58 -0400

I attempt six years every time as well, they have yet to give it to me.

So far I had three and four

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2016 8:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 20:29:09 -0400

All my extensions were for 6.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 11 at 2016 8:34 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 20:34:52 -0400

The only negative reason that I can imagine would be if you're given any sort of incentives to reenlist, like assignments of choice, retention bonuses, etc. The longer term of your reenlistments, the fewer opportunities you have to take advantage of the incentives. I suspect those incentives would disappear beyond some career stage though.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 12 at 2016 12:04 AM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 00:04:55 -0400

when I went back on AD in '83 i took a blast of 6 all the way thru...

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 12 at 2016 6:20 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 06:20:03 -0400

Make that getting to 20 shorter.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 6:53 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 18:53:34 -0400

Not if you are re-enlisting because you want to. Your career counselor goes over all your options with you so you can make the best decision for you. What is your 5/10/15/20 year plan? Does 6 years fit in?
I believe you know the answer. Best wishes!

Response by MCPO Katrina Hutcherson made Sep 17 at 2016 2:19 AM

MCPO Katrina Hutcherson — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:19:17 -0400

I made the huge mistake of reenlisting for six years at a time and completed 30 years. I found out way too late that it's best to extend or enlist for the least amount of time possible, especially in the beginning of your career. I missed out on reenlistment bonuses because I always enlisted for 6 years and when bonuses were available I couldn't reenlist to take advantage of them.