Should I re-enlist or get out?

2018-04-04T12:33:58-04:00

I'm at the point where I need to make a decision if I want to reenlist or separate from the navy. I have alittle more than a year till my EAOS so if I decide to get out I want to give myself time to find a job back in the civilian life. My problem is that I'm trying to decide what is best for my wife and I. She is a registered nurse and can find a job without problem but we are both nervous about the unknown of getting out. I do not mind the navy. Underway and deployment do not bother me but I feel when I get to the point of starting to have children that it is going to be rough. I have an associates degree in criminal justice but joined the navy as an MM so I can have more options. For those who got out was it worth facing the unknown and had a better life or is it better to stick it out as long as I can? I appreciate any advice I can get!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 12:38 PM

2018-04-04T12:38:42-04:00

I am not sure about the navy too much, maybe look into getting a different job in the navy, but make a chart of pros and cons about the navy and sit down with your wife, come together about a decision, maybe talk to your family if that's your kind of thing. If you don't mind it, maybe try the officer route, anything to reach a higher and better you. If you do get out, the best of luck brother!

Response by Jerry Rivas made Apr 4 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-04-04T12:45:16-04:00

Armed forces has nice retirement benefits....I shoulda stayed in. LOL

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 12:52 PM

2018-04-04T12:52:04-04:00

PO3-The benefits of entering the private sector are clear; more control over where, how and when you work and live, more time with family, the ability to change course at will. However, once you get "out here", its surprising how "limiting" freedom can be. Perhaps the greatest thing I miss about the Navy is a sense of direction, clarity and certainty about many aspects of managing a career. For example, if you pick a certain rate, you can (within reason) map out your career, and while there are always surprises, disappointments and sea-changes...you also know exactly what can de-rail those plans. Private sector career planning is much more subjective. Having the "quals" doesn't mean you'll rate the job, or keep it. Decisions regarding promotion, pay increases, benefits, even location can be arbitrary at times. That said, once you understand how the system works, it can be manageable and profitable.

There are public sector jobs that very closely seem to mirror military progression models, and it sounds like Law Enforcement may be an option for you.

Aside from the "hard facts", after about three years, you really begin to miss being "in"...not sure why, but somehow, it just seems like a "better world" after a while. One thing to bear in mind is that retirement pay in your early 40s is quite an incentive...as are many of the immeasurable benefits from staying with Big Grey.

I wish you all the luck in the world Shipmate...Best Wishes.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 1:52 PM

2018-04-04T13:52:02-04:00

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member Many of us have been in your shoes. I loved the Marine Corps, and being part of the brotherhood. I also loved the Space Program and decided to only serve four years. I had done my research and established plans to accomplish my goal of being part of the Space Program.. I moved to the Houston area, found a chemical plant job and started school. Five and a half years later, I had my degree, and started work on the Space Shuttle Program. I stayed for 33 year until one month after the last Space Shuttle Flight. For me, I made the right decision, but you and your wife need to jointly decide what is best for your family. Do your research so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

Did I have doubts about leaving the Marine Corps? Very much so. I was fortunate to find a very high paying chemical plant job. Once I had my degree, I experienced a pay cut to start on the Space Shuttle Program. I had doubts, but I stuck to my plan, and it worked.

Good luck! keep us informed on your decision.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 4 at 2018 2:46 PM

2018-04-04T14:46:38-04:00

Try switching branches!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 3:25 PM

2018-04-04T15:25:13-04:00

How much TiS do you have? If you're at 10 (+/- 1) yrs then I'd stick it out. You already know what to expect and know how to roll with the punches.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Apr 4 at 2018 3:30 PM

2018-04-04T15:30:55-04:00

The decision should be a joint one between you and your wife. I'd recommend you go with her decision. You might try going into the Naval Reserves. You will miss your team mates if you stack arms......

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Apr 4 at 2018 3:56 PM

2018-04-04T15:56:48-04:00

Do what feels right, but if you choose to get out, make sure that you have a plan. If you don't have a plan, I probably wouldn't be jumping out into the fray.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 3:56 PM

2018-04-04T15:56:53-04:00

You don’t know and I can’t count how many people say I wish I would have stuck it out and retired from the service and gotten that retirement pay and a little tax free disability for my tinnitus or some other old age problem. Think about it and don’t be one of those guys. Pray about it or talk to your spouse about it. Why do you want to leave? You hate it that much? Good luck.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 4 at 2018 4:30 PM

2018-04-04T16:30:29-04:00

The first step is to brainstorm with your wife the pros and cons for staying or going. Then determine which are the most important to you two. It should help paint the picture for you.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Apr 4 at 2018 7:24 PM

2018-04-04T19:24:20-04:00

Your decision should be guided by how much you like what you do, what your expectations for the future in the service are and very importantly, how your your wife feels. Good decisions are not made when based on fear of change. Good luck with whatever you decide

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 9:06 AM

2018-04-05T09:06:42-04:00

There is always the Reserves?
You get the freedom to pursue a civilian career, the security of staying in one place, and a retirement at the end of it all, albeit smaller than your active retirement but it's still something.
My suggestion would be to check out USAjobs. Find a GS- level position. You can buy back your military years towards your civilian retirement and earn that second retirement while finishing your military retirement in the Reserves.

Response by Al Reynolds made Apr 6 at 2018 5:09 AM

2018-04-06T05:09:12-04:00

Dang, everything was going great for me recommending you stay in... and then... and then I find out you are a Machinist Mate.... Whoa me... Do you like those engine room spaces?

I got out at the end of four....That was no problem for me... Especially when I discovered at age forty I still had time for a full career in Law Enforcement. I did that and then retired...

When I was in as an MM I had to pull sea duty for twelve years before I could get three years of shore duty.... That's a lot of steaming away from those intended kids....

I wouldn't let the fear of getting or not getting a job get in the way.... If you like crawling around engine rooms stay to it... Advancement should be easy... Retire with twenty and still get another job... Get your Aviation A&P License... You'll always have a good paying job and you can live anywhere... Retire a double dipper at sixty.....
It's not the amount of time you spend with your kids ... it's the quality of that time that counts... Good Luck.

Response by CDR Jack Tappe made Sep 12 at 2020 2:04 PM

2020-09-12T14:04:14-04:00

If you are not on shore duty, I would give it a try. Get a bachelors degree and then get out or try to further your career by an officer program. Shore duty gives us time to bank some extra time and preparation for the outside world or for some deeper reflection on continuing a Navy career. You can also network and get some good mentoring that may help your reflection. Be advised though...shore duty goes by quickly. I have observed many sailors leave shore duty for the fleet or to civilian life with zero preparation. Work hard for yourself if you decide to do shore duty. Also keep this last point in mind. ALWAYS pursue your military qualifications and performance like you are staying in forever. If you do that, then if you decide to continue with the service, you are not behind on your career. Good luck.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 12 at 2020 6:39 PM

2020-09-12T18:39:29-04:00

Don't give weight to life advice from people who do not know you. Ask them what went into their decisions when they were at or near the same point you are. See if there are things that help you think deeper about your decision.

There were three important factors when I was at a decision point:
_I loved being a company grade officer. I started filling field grade billets as a company grade officer and hated it.
_My wife and daughter did well during my deployments. My son did not.
_An incredible opportunity in the civilian world presented itself.

So I jumped.

The incredible opportunity...financial success. But I hated that more than being a field grade officer. I ended up seeing my kids mostly when they were asleep.

My wife got her dream job. Between that and selling my business we were financially secure. My wife could fully support us and gave me the opportunity to be a house hubby and get to know my kids. I turned hobbies into side hustles, into a substantial revenue streams

What ever you decide. If you hate your job, the money won't make you happy. If you love your job, you'll find a way to make a good life.