Veterans that have ETSed, when did you know that it was time to move on to something else?

2016-05-09T19:53:04-04:00

I'm coming up on my second contract ending in a year and I'm on the fence about getting out or staying in. What were big factors for you to get out?

Response by SFC Randy Purham made May 9 at 2016 7:57 PM

2016-05-09T19:57:42-04:00

By dealing with vets on a daily basis and shortly becoming one, I will tell you it's time to go when you have lost the passion for the job and for being with Soldiers. As for me, I find it difficult to just keep up. My body doesn't do well with physical activities anymore. But whatever you decide, have a plan and a backup plan with another plan. Continue to do well and get all you can NOW. When it's time for you to go the writing will be on the wall.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 7:59 PM

2016-05-09T19:59:05-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I loved the Space Program, and thought that this would be a good career. That was part of my decision, but also part of the decision was drug related. I loved the Marine Corps, but the drug problem was bad at the time, and I did not see that they were fixing the problem. The Marine Corps did eventually clean up this problem. These two factors went into my decision to not reenlist. Before you separate, make sure you do your research and have a good plan with goals and objectives.

Response by SGT Kyle Johnson made May 9 at 2016 8:44 PM

2016-05-09T20:44:09-04:00

So many angles to look at here.. Not knowing what you have or don't have going for you. Looking back, I was unprepared to ETs, had no plans to, loved my job and the Army, but during the 90's they put us all on the chopping block with the BRAC and draw down. I had not taken advantage of everything thing the military offered in education and training*. Then boom I was on the street, still bitter over it. But, lucky for me, I was in MI, some really high speed stuff and was able to get a job due to my high security clearance and electronic warfare background. Problem was later, I did not have a sheepskin, certain certs and other stupid stuff like that. Even though I was training people with degrees and certs, the corporate world looked down on me for promotion or other jobs. Many phone interviews where I was the perfect candidate for a job, years of experience, but no Bachelors degree.. How stupid is that? I could have gotten a degree in basket weaving and been farther ahead.
* Compared to today's military we had nothing in ed and training available
So look at your whole picture of available opportunities. I agree with SSG Randy Purham, have a plan and backup plan.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made May 9 at 2016 8:50 PM

2016-05-09T20:50:48-04:00

I found that it was time to leave when the reasons for staying in were hard to find. Loved the Navy, but you have to have active support to stay in. You need a personal drive and an active will to keep going. You need a sense that there are goals yet to be met and good things still to be done, no matter what your field is.
If you are just filling a chair, if you don't have active support or at least a command that cares whether you stay in or not, it might be time to rethink your need to stay in. You don't mention how many years you have in. If its your mid-point and people around you are just assuming you will stay in, like one person I knew, or have a detailer who is just assuming you will stay in and not willing to offer you anything career helpful, then you may need to have an exit plan.
Either way. If you really want to stay in then do it, but make sure you have something to look forward to. Asking questions like this makes me wonder if you have lost some of the drive that made all of us join in the the first place.

Response by CPL Ricky Vasquez made May 9 at 2016 9:35 PM

2016-05-09T21:35:00-04:00

After I came from Afghanistan...

Response by CPL Randy Bautista made May 9 at 2016 10:38 PM

2016-05-09T22:38:30-04:00

When you find yourself contemplating. The most important thing to keep in mind Is if you don't have the sled drive to continue its time.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 9 at 2016 10:46 PM

2016-05-09T22:46:38-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Ft Lewis, 1956. I was a SGT E-5. On Friday afternoons, the more senior NCOs would ask me to 'have a look an to check' on 'their barracks' on Friday afternoons. They admitted to leaving early to spend time with/ their family! I listened and learned. USAR and later, CAARNG satisfied my military wants. The 1st wife and I were fortunate to raise; two healty

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 8:21 AM

2016-05-10T08:21:55-04:00

Keep going until you can retire. Something I wish I had done.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 10 at 2016 10:39 AM

2016-05-10T10:39:41-04:00

My original plan was to serve one time. No plans on re-enlisting. However at the end of my Active Duty part, I found that I could benefit other soldiers and get some myself by re-enlisting into the NG of my home state. It was a really good choice and my time left in IRR got reduced somewhat.

Response by SPC Burt Epps made May 10 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-05-10T11:38:06-04:00

Stay in. Use your time to get educated. Transition to civilian life is difficult and not very rewarding for many Veterans.

Response by SSG Gregory Reynolds made May 11 at 2016 12:14 AM

2016-05-11T00:14:51-04:00

1. Do you have a degree?
2. Will you have employment?
3. Will you receive Disability?
I'm sure you have the answer inside of yourself. Search YOUR! heart. For everyone's reason will be overwhelming. I wishes you all the best in your decision .

Response by SSG Chris Cherry made May 11 at 2016 10:39 AM

2016-05-11T10:39:23-04:00

Unfortunately, the Army informed me when I would be ETSing - chaptered me based on the JAGs personal interpretation of a regulation. Still trying to get my RE code from 3 to 1 and have my Sep code changed so I get back in.

Response by SSG Patricia Ray made May 17 at 2016 7:27 AM

2016-05-17T07:27:28-04:00

Jesse
Ask yourself a couple of questions; First, is there something out there that gives me everything I am getting right now. (health care, housing, dental care, reg. pay(not the best, but steady)). Second, if you have a family, can I support them within the manner they live right now? Can I, will I, be able to take them to the hospital, dentist, school (DOD),. These are all the question you have to ask but most of all, Is the job to hard to do? Am I enjoying any of the experience doing this? Is there something out there that make me, drives me, haunts me to do other than this? I am retired and up until my last year, I enjoyed deployments, missions, and every day Army life. Don't get me wrong there were moments that I did hate, but overall I enjoyed and sometimes miss my Army days! Look into your heart and ask God.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Jul 27 at 2016 6:34 PM

2016-07-27T18:34:51-04:00

I was in Korea dealing with one of the worst units I had ever been in. I woke up, realized that the stupidity was getting old (just less than 10 years in with 2 combat deployments.) I also had just became a father and went to Korea when my daughter was 6 months old. I realized that this wasnt the life I wanted for her. So, I got out.