Should I get out of the Army?

2018-06-18T18:45:48-04:00

So I joined the Army at the age of 33 in 2010. Later this year I will be getting out at the age of 41 after making the rank of staff sergeant. I have been unhappy the last two years. Everyone is telling me I will be making a mistake liking out of the army because I will be losing any potential retirement. My question is should I tough it out for another 12 years and be unhappy or get out and use my G.I. Bill to find a new career?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 18 at 2018 6:51 PM

2018-06-18T18:51:54-04:00

I never recommend people to continue investing in an unfulfilling career. If I wasn't enjoying it, I'd move along to a career in something more fulfilling.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 18 at 2018 6:56 PM

2018-06-18T18:56:00-04:00

As much as it sucks to give you an answer like this, the only person who can answer this is you. Are the things making you unhappy changeable? Would you be truly miserable? Do you have a post Army plan?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 7:21 PM

2018-06-18T19:21:48-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I would not invest another 12 years in a career that you do not care for. What would a fulfilling career look like, and do you have the needed skills and education for that career? good luck on your decision.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 18 at 2018 7:22 PM

2018-06-18T19:22:08-04:00

If you don't like it and you haven't at least hit the halfway point I don't see it getting any better. Especially after achieving SSG; it should have become better by then. I would go ahead and get out and see if you can't find something that you actually enjoy. You may not retire from the military but those years can still get cashed in if you end up jumping into a government job.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 18 at 2018 7:26 PM

2018-06-18T19:26:54-04:00

My take is to check out the reserve side to see if that's a path that you'd do well in and not have the continual burn you have now. That way you have time to make a good 20 and go from there. Consider going into CS and buy back federal retirement. When you're 60, you can reap the benefits of both worlds.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jun 18 at 2018 7:32 PM

2018-06-18T19:32:22-04:00

Brother, I'll be at 15 years at the end of this enlistment and I'm considering getting out. Don't let people dissuade you from pursuing something outside the military. 12 years is a long time to not like what you're doing and going into your 50's. It might be worth considering reclassing. You already have a lot of civilian job experience, so getting out at this stage isn't the end of the world.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 7:33 PM

2018-06-18T19:33:05-04:00

Never be unhappy in your job. The military is not for everyone. However, never think it’s greener on the other side. Ask yourself why you’re unhappy and if you can change your situation without getting out do so. If not get out.

Response by SFC Nelson L. Friday-González made Jun 18 at 2018 7:39 PM

2018-06-18T19:39:30-04:00

If you're unhappy go Reserves to keep yourself in the loop and go to college use your GI Bill. You can always use your Degree to get promoted to E-7. This is an option.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 8:11 PM

2018-06-18T20:11:07-04:00

My answer is, if you have to ask social media, then yes - the Army isn't for you any longer.
If you are trudging through the next 12 years of your career, you are doing yourself and your soldiers a disservice. Take the time to transition out, keep the good memories and become an Ambassador for the Army to the civilians and future recruits.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 18 at 2018 8:19 PM

2018-06-18T20:19:36-04:00

Sometimes all it takes is to PCS to appreciate your career.

Response by SGT Jody Trapp made Jun 18 at 2018 8:36 PM

2018-06-18T20:36:15-04:00

I think that the Army is too big to not make yourself happy somewhere. Change units.. change MOS.. take on a different assignment... but don’t quit just cus ur unhappy where you’re at currently

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 9:56 PM

2018-06-18T21:56:39-04:00

If you are getting out try reserves or guard for a while. If you complete your time there you will still get a pension, although it will be smaller and you have to wait to collect it. Heck you might even switch branches while making the move to the reserves. Plenty of people do.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 19 at 2018 12:15 AM

2018-06-19T00:15:12-04:00

Only you can answer this...some framing questions
- is it because of a specific chain of command or support channel? That can be fixed with your PCS or theirs.
- is it the content of your current job? Is this the "typical" job in your MOS? If so, you may want to consider something else.
- is it due to your particular station or unit? This can be fixed by PCS
- is it due to what you will have to do in the future (a particular habitual assignment as the next higher grade)? You may want to cut bait.
- temporary vs permanent that is is he object of the exercise
- you could gut it out to retire. What else could you be doing?
- your profile indicates you have light, heavy, and hospital experience. you have seen a cross section.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2018 3:13 AM

2018-06-19T03:13:38-04:00

I would suggest identifying what made you unhappy these last two years. What is the possibility of that situation repeating itself for the next twelve years? Also, if you decide to stay in, what are your plans for the next twelve years as far as the Army goes?
I had an NCO at my first unit who told me to always have a plan. Whether you get out or stay in, you need to have a general idea of what you want to do. You shouldn't just drift aimlessly. Drifting aimlessly is what most people do and is the main reason most people are dissatisfied with life around them.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2018 10:04 AM

2018-06-19T10:04:57-04:00

SSG-I'm 40 and have spent almost a decade away from the service after spending almost a decade in.

Here are my respectful and sincere thoughts.

I've worked in a variety of jobs on the private side; from construction (literally "digging ditches") to eventually making "management" in an office environment. The very worst day I had in the service actually wasn't much worse than the worst days I've had as a civilian. There's still ignorance, incompetence, bad-politics, back-stabbing, dishonesty and apathy all around. The only real differences are that what I do for money rarely means much more than that. It's difficult at the end of a bad shift, or in the middle of an inter-company "power struggle" to find any esoteric to pull through on other than the fact that my family has to eat and I have bills to pay.

Physically, I've had to work long hours under bad conditions and even take risks (sometimes really, really unwise ones). There came a point when I looked in the mirror and thought, "dang Dizzy, you're getting old"...and started trying to reverse it. I spend a lot of my so-called "free time" combating the combined influences of desk-work and the aging process.

All said, perhaps the only "good" thing is that I have total control over what I choose to do...even if the consequences usually make those decisions for me anyway.

I'm on a "five to ten year plan" to "freedom"...which often makes me wonder if those extra ten years wouldn't have been worth anything I had to endure to get them under my belt.

The again, I "enjoyed" the Military, and the decision to leave wasn't really my choice...and I didn't have your experience or background. If you enjoy the medical profession and think you'll continue on in it...your future out here might be infinitely brighter and ultimately more rewarding. God knows that's the only thing resembling a "steady" career out here outside of the skilled trades.

If there's no fear of "regrets" or "looking back"...maybe the private sector is your road to success...and if so, I sincerely hope you find it.

Best wishes and good luck!

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 19 at 2018 10:23 AM

2018-06-19T10:23:27-04:00

I heard many statements like that when I got out at 9 years. Although I can't speak for you, I can say that getting out was the best decision I ever made. I got out used my GI Bill, got a degree, and started a fulfilling civil service career working for the Army. I usually tell people that I make a better DAC than I did a NCO. My earning potential is also a lot better on this side. So if you choose to go the Federal route, you can do a buy back of your retirement and have those years added to your civil service one. Again, possibly a much better option monetarily.

I heard a lot of folks say all kinds of things about getting out. I was asked if I was going to work retail or fast food. I found that those who were negative were trapped. They simply cannot do anything else. So look at all of your options and decide was is best for you. Don't be afraid of getting out. Look at it as an opportunity. A new beginning if you will.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jun 19 at 2018 10:36 AM

2018-06-19T10:36:02-04:00

SSG Leaym,
First and foremost you might to identify what is it that you are not happy with?
- Is it your job?
- Is it your duty station?
- Is it the monotony?
Sometimes PCSing, in other words a change of scenery would spark a little motivation within ourselves. Then again, the military is definitely not for everyone. That brings another question on why did you join in the first place? I don't mean it a bad way, but sometimes that where the answer lays. We all joined the military for different reasons. When I was an instructor, I could see why a Soldier joined the service. Some of them because of family tradition, other one because of 911 events, some for school, etc. Some others hated it and had a bad image of the Army, but how can you have a bad image when you have only been at one duty station? Unless you have PCSed already, I would suggest to move somewhere else.
Last but not least, I was asked to be a guest speaker for an AIT graduation. My spouse asked me what was I going to talk about, I told her I didn't know. She was like what??? You're about to come up on 20 years of service, what kept you in for so long? I said that maybe I liked my job very much. So the moral of my speech was no matter what the day might throw at you, always like what you do, like your job! I did have a not so good experience when I assigned to 5th SFG, but once I got to go on mission while behind the camera, documenting, everything became clear to me. Liking my job made things a lot better for me and the time I was going to spend there.
So, I would have a moment and reflect, maybe consider. And if you still feel the same way, then maybe it wasn't for you. For me, doing 20 years was not the plan, but life took me that way. I'm glad I stayed in. Good luck brother!

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 19 at 2018 12:00 PM

2018-06-19T12:00:30-04:00

Give it careful consideration. Don't try to talk YOURSELF into or out of anything. And in the end, when all is said and done, you do what you feel you have to. Either way, expect some after-the-fact second guessing--its natural--but give yourself time to make a decision you will stand by.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2018 3:46 PM

2018-12-20T15:46:53-05:00

NOTE: I know this is an old thread but I want to provide input for others to digest. As you know, you'll find people who vote for or against staying in. My approach is to think about the time that you have invested within this organization as well as your overall level of experience. Can you afford to start another career that will net the end-result of giving you the type of life and level of comfort you are aiming for? What type of credentials do you have versus your civilian counterparts at this point? Can you add up from an experience and degree standpoint?

Keep in mind if you decide to ETS, you will face a tough road because you are behind the power curve. Starting over at 40 is doable but why throw away so much time when options to take a different path within the military are available to you? In the end, we all have our likes and dislikes but remember that your unhappiness can be remedied by making the right moves in your career, personal life, and overall approach and attitude to your situation. As someone else stated, all it takes is a PCS!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Sep 13 at 2019 6:53 AM

2019-09-13T06:53:38-04:00

I walked away from the Army National Guard after 13 years to deal with some family issues that, hindsight being 20/20, it really didn't help to solve. But the service isn't for everyone, so you need to ask yourself what you don't like about it, the lifestyle, your job, the moving around, etc. I think I would second the suggestion that you try the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. You still keep your foot in the water and you can attend drill while you go to school on the GI bill if that's your choice. If you like it, stay in until you get your twenty. If not, you already have your eight years in, so you aren't obligated to any additional time. Do short enlistment and see how it goes.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Sep 13 at 2019 8:23 AM

2019-09-13T08:23:23-04:00

MOS? Get out the army. is not for everyone. Send me a email at [login to see] and I will set up. You did your duty. I made SSG in 3 years and ten months. I was a sp/5 and not 21 yet. Made warrant in 7.5 years. I am a genius. I should have got out after 20.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Sep 13 at 2019 8:24 AM

2019-09-13T08:24:17-04:00

I have a few friends donald

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2019 10:29 AM

2019-09-13T10:29:14-04:00

Go guard or reserves. one weekend a month isn't bad for 12 years and you'll at least get some kind of retirement out of it. I did 7 years active and then got out for 8. got back in and have been in another 16. In 3 years I will retire as an LTC and draw over $3K a month retirement

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 13 at 2019 12:53 PM

2019-09-13T12:53:38-04:00

God knows, I'd wanted to stay in...if I could've, I obv would've...regardless of what svc you're in, honest, after 3 yrs Army ROTC, 4 yrs USAF after OTS, and 5 yrs in industry doing related stuff before my total perm disability just had to be processed yrs later, eventually, if I could've found a way to have gone back in, God knows I would've, and God knows I tried (I'd wanted to have gone USPHS)...there was something I thought funny that might be relevant, if only purely as a thought, that I'd read years ago, a title from a book, "The Grass is Always Greener on the other Side of the Septic Tank", by Erma Bombeck, who'd written for newspapers by us (comedy stuff)...my point is, if you can still stay in, and manage to make lemonade outta your lemons, God knows I could only wish to be in your boat, honest...however, maybe that's just me, I suppose, ya know? Then again, I'm probably an inveterate cynic at this point about the whole thing, I guess....

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 13 at 2019 2:06 PM

2019-09-13T14:06:07-04:00

What is bothering you in regards to the army and what is your MOS?

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Sep 13 at 2019 3:17 PM

2019-09-13T15:17:29-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member -If you don't mind a former Navy "O" putting in his $.02 worth, I think you should ask yourself what would make you happy, professionally. No, that's not intended to sound "smart"; I mean it literally, and very respectfully. I've been out of uniform since 2009, and officially honorably discharged within a few years thereafter...not entirely at my own behest, but neither can I say I didn't have to make the final decision to stop fighting to stay in. There isn't a day goes by I don't regret being "out", or a moment where I think it could've went much differently either. I didn't join up at the age of 17 for a "career"...I wanted a calling, and as it turned out, I probably could've used a few more years to "grow up a bit" before answering that call. The Military ended up being very different from how, as an idealistic young person, I had viewed it...the things I wanted from it, reserved for a very select few I simply wasn't prepared mentally and emotionally to join. By the time I figured out why I wasn't the best fit for my aspirations...let alone had even a clue of how to make myself fit...it was too late. I turn 41 myself this fall, and am often curious as to how things would've gone had I somehow managed to hang on a bit longer. Maybe I'd be miserable, maybe I'd have failed at a higher level, but then again-maybe I'd have finally found resolution. To top it all off, there's always that nagging question...could I still somehow find a way (someone, somewhere, always does)? For me, the price is too high; I'm answering a different "call" now, and can't abandon one set of duties on the off chance I may fulfill others. In that sense, despite the regrets, I found "happiness" on the outside; mostly in being a husband and father...but also a respected member of a community, heavily involved in as many aspects of the same as possible. God knows best, and perhaps this is where I was meant to me, and this is the time I was meant to be here. If there's something like that out there for you, then take the nine years of honorable service, the memories, the associations, and the pride at having done your part with you-please do yourself the great service of not looking back. If not, then consider that twelve years isn't really that long when you think about it...nor fifty-three "old" for a man who has taken care of his health, committed to a way of life, and completed one trail with plenty of time left to being another.

All the best, and God Bless.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Sep 13 at 2019 3:40 PM

2019-09-13T15:40:27-04:00

You have 12 years to retire? Why don't you reclass into something you would like? Hell that retirement check is worth it.