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I have had this discussion with many of my Army buddies and gotten a variety of interesting responses. For a small number it was their chosen career from the first time they raised their right hand. For others, like me, it was gradual; the Army kept offering something too good to pass up, so you kept signing on the dotted line until you were suddenly a career Soldier and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I have met a few that made the leap after 9/11 and have been in ever since. So what is your story? When did you realize you were in it for the long haul?
Military Career
Retirement
Esprit de Corps
Time in Service
Service
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 23
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For me it was right after I had PCS to Fort Lewis, made the SFC list and my wife had announced she was pregnant all in the span of a couple months. Once my sequence number hit, and my daughter was born in the same month (ironic), I went to my career counselor to reup indef. The C zone bonus I received was just icing on the cake
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SGT (Join to see)
As sad as it sounds, I have never made this much money on the outside, nor had so many opportunities. I also have one of the coolest jobs in the Army also, that helps a lot!
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SFC Kevin Carpenter
I heard that, especially when you factor in BAH!! Best decision i ever made as well! Make it even better check out WHCA.
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CPT (Join to see)
What are these 'bonuses' you speak of? LOL
I watched the soldiers around me cash in on the bonuses being offered over the past decade but never managed to hit the window for myself.
I am not complaining, though. I've had some outstanding assignments over that period and wouldn't trade them for any of amount of bonus money (well, maybe that one they were offering SF). :)
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I enlisted not knowing fully what to expect or where I planned on going after basic. I learned in Basic that I loved the Army and how it was changing me. Somewhere towards the end of basic or the beginning of AIT I realized that I would be a "lifer". I always just tell everyone I drank the Army Kool-Aid in reception and by the end of basic I was hooked on that Kool-Aid.
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CPT (Join to see)
They must have fed me the weak Kool-Aid in basic, took 11 years for me to get addicted. =D
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Two years in. I realized I was thinking, talking, and rationalizing in the little doctrine my shamshield heart had absorbed. All my self-development was going toward what Uncle Sam said he wanted me to be. I then realized that I will only get out via death, disability, or longevity.
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CPT (Join to see)
Congratulations on figuring it out early, SSG Beutler. Most of us take longer. LOL
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