Is the Military a career for you?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:39:06 -0400

I am almost at 10 years, and there is no turning back now for me. Are you planning on making the military a career? Why or why not?

I am by no means a career counselor, so I promise to not actively try and change your mind.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 4:43 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:43:34 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member A Lot of times the military is the only place that makes sense.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 4:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:47:11 -0400

I have 13 years Active and 18 if you count my reserve time.

Undecided

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Oct 27 at 2014 4:54 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:54:15 -0400

This Halloween will be 24 years active duty for me. I cannot think of anything else I'd rather be doing that putting on the uniform everyday. I know it will not last much longer, but I cherish it.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 4:54 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:54:57 -0400

Yep, I am at 14 years, I can see the finish line...I think.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Oct 27 at 2014 6:59 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 18:59:57 -0400

I served honorably for 8 years, including a deceptively challenging deployment and the most toxic leader I have ever had. That was enough.

Bottom line: my family needs me, not a folded flag.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Oct 27 at 2014 8:29 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 20:29:10 -0400

I'm at 16 years right now so it has been a career for me. Unfortunately, I'm highly uncertain about making it to 20 years due to the ever present possibility of MEB/PEB.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 11:46 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 23:46:41 -0400

I just passed 8 years on 10 October and have another 3 years tip my hard EAOS. I figure at that point I might as well stay for the long all. I will say though, dealing with civilians in a ways like I had to do today makes me SERIOUSLY consider getting out then, but having gotten married and bought a house recently, plus trying to start a family mass me reconsider every time.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 12:22 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 12:22:11 -0400

In for 5, out for 9, hopefully back for 15 or more.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 12:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 12:25:22 -0400

I am only at two years, and I can easily say that I intend to make this a career. If I have the chance to go from NG to Active, I will take it.

I am from a military family, my dad was Navy for 14 years and I have always loved and wanted to be a part of the military. I'm sure he would have preferred I joined the Navy, but I think he got over it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 1:48 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 01:48:03 -0400

I had planned to make a career out of military service, but the side-effects of the drawdown are causing me to rethink that. Firstly, I love my MOS. Because of the logistics involved to do actual training, it doesn't happen that often, but when it does I have the time of my life. With all these ENG BDEs and BNs being deactivated in favor of BEBs, my career field has become drastically overstrength. Which leaves me with: ETS or reclass. Neither is really appealing to me. Third, even if I can stay in my specialty, with the numbers being so high, that also means promotion points are high, and will stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 12:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:31:08 -0400

When I joined, it was just to get a steady paying job and to get out of my hometown. I swore that I would never stay in longer than the initial 4 years. Before every reenlistment, I swore that I would never reenlist. I've now been in for over 16 years and it wasn't until I hit about the 10-11 year mark that I really started to enjoy Army life and loved my job. I can't say whether I'll retire at 20 or stay in longer..I'll just have to see where I'm at mentally when the time comes.

The only advice I can offer is to always push to diversify your career and step out of your comfort zone. It not only helps with progression, but also keeps things new and fresh so you don't feel like you're doing the same thing over and over for years on end.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 30 at 2014 12:34 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:34:49 -0400

I am seriously considering making it a career.......

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 30 at 2014 1:24 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:24:00 -0400

I am obviously beyond that point and, just as obviously, yes, a military career was right for me and helped me in my civilian career after retiring. I would definitely do it again... no question.

My dad, who served over 42 years on active duty once told me. "Stay in 20 years to see if you like it. If you do, make a career of it.".... :-) :-)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 8:03 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:03:37 -0400

And starting to make plans for the end of it.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Oct 31 at 2014 8:06 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:06:03 -0400

I have already invested too much time in and I will retire from the Army. It's been a great career for me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 1:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:28:09 -0400

Nope, I'm gone. I wanted to make it a career.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 11:10 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 23:10:55 -0500

By the time I'm done with my contract it will be 18 years of service. What's another 2 years after that.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 11:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 23:17:06 -0500

Working on twelve. By the end of this contract, it'll be fourteen. May as well go all the way...if I don't break myself.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 1:39 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 01:39:11 -0500

Four years in, and I still realize the longer I am in how much more I need to learn.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 9:47 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:47:08 -0500

At one point I was seriously considering making it a career. Things in my life have changed drastically and now I plan on getting out at the end of this current contract.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 1:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:24:05 -0500

It's been an honor putting on this uniform for the last 10 years, I can definitely see, at least, another 10 more years.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 10:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:19:15 -0500

There are a few questions that you should ask yourself:
1. Do you enjoy what you do?
2. Is there something that would allow you to provide for your family better?
3. Would you take the 15 year retirement if it were offered?
4. What is yoiur ultimate goal?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 1:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 01:59:27 -0500

Civilian employment does not appeal to me at all. Just thinking about punching a time clock and working on the same team, doing the same mission for several years nearly gives me a panic attack. I love the variety of missions I have in the military. I love that I am always meeting new team members. I love that I know I am moving in a few years. I love that promotion is a real possibility as long as I am committed to earning it. Change is good, stagnant things die.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 6 at 2014 8:50 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 08:50:22 -0500