Would you go back to the suck if you could?

2015-03-10T06:47:07-04:00

This is meant as re-enlisting after getting out (not re-upping), whether the same MOS or a different one.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 6:47 AM

2015-03-10T06:47:43-04:00

I am in a world of suck

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 10 at 2015 7:10 AM

2015-03-10T07:10:09-04:00

Where is the maybe option because some might go back as long as they could take the knowledge they have now with them or do you mean go back in a different sense and not time travel.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 10 at 2015 8:16 AM

2015-03-10T08:16:47-04:00

IF I had the chance to do it all over again, I would. It would be nice if I could get a mulligan on a couple of the choices I made but I would still want to serve.

Response by LCpl Sam Brake made Mar 10 at 2015 9:18 AM

2015-03-10T09:18:07-04:00

I got out of the Marine Corps in 1994 and there have been many occasions where I have wanted to re-enlist. The camaraderie is what I have always missed the most so a new MOS wouldn't have mattered much. It wasn't until the birth of my son when those feelings finally faded away.

Response by SPC Thomas Hobbs made Mar 10 at 2015 10:38 AM

2015-03-10T10:38:54-04:00

In a fartbeat! But, with a different MOS.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Mar 10 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-03-10T10:54:54-04:00

I would have stuck with my gut and joined the Coast Guard when I was 21. It was 14 years later when I joined the Army. However, I truly value my time in the serving in the US Army.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 10 at 2015 12:47 PM

2015-03-10T12:47:07-04:00

My desire to "re-embrace the suck" waxes and wanes depending on what we are doing as a country.

In the first few years following 9/11 I had a very strong desire to re-enlist, and spent countless hours trying to solve the problem of contributing without sacrificing my family. Had someone offered me the opportunity to crew in flight refueling missions on the weekend I would have gladly.

As Rules of Engagement and the politicizing of the conflict grew my interest in being involved with that cluster tapered off.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 12:48 PM

2015-03-10T12:48:21-04:00

...considering I already have once. When my contract is up this time I'll be almost halfway to retirement...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 12:50 PM

2015-03-10T12:50:08-04:00

I want to serve until no one will have me.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 10 at 2015 12:52 PM

2015-03-10T12:52:47-04:00

Back to the suck - you've never been a farrier shoeing horses for some of the people I do
! You'd better re-enlist.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-03-10T13:09:41-04:00

What suck are we talking about? I thank god everyday that I get a steady pay check and can provide for my family. Does it mean doing things that aren't kosher? Sure but nothing about my job/career can I see sucks. If it does why would you still do it?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 10 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-03-10T13:10:59-04:00

The thing I miss most is the people.

Would I change the way I did anything? No. I have no regrets how anything played out. I did two enlistments, and got out when it was time for me to, by my own choice.

If the US Government put out a call for 40~ year old vets, to serve in "whatever" capacity, I would probably show up. Need me to clean toilets, so those who are more fit can take care of the "big" stuff? No problem. Need me to teach "basket weaving" to young PFCs & LTs, rock on! Want me to put a 40lb ruck on with a rifle? I'm going to be slow, but I'll do it.

But... I'm probably not needed now, at least in an official capacity. I can better serve in other ways.

Response by MSG James S. made Mar 10 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-03-10T13:14:32-04:00

The military is a way of life that supports the basic needs and drive of a person. Although it takes an exceptional partner to help you through, it is a great way to live and understand that it is only within the Military that you have the "brotherhood" that last a lifetime! I'd go back yesterday!

Response by CPL Joshua Wood made Mar 10 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-03-10T13:30:51-04:00

I think about it all the time.. If I could spend just one week and make different choices and be with my brothers on that field again I wouldn't even hesitate. Nothing in life is as intense as a good firefight ( - the casualties ) the adrenaline is a drug that I would take daily.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-03-10T14:53:55-04:00

If I could go back in time, I would. Except this time i would enlist. I would still be a door gunner or do my MOS, 11Bravo Airborne, and if I made it back, I would go to Ft. Rucker and apply to be a crew chief. If I was accepted, I would later apply for Warrant Officer School, and spend the rest of my career flying those bad boys. YeeeeHaww

Response by PO2 Pualani Ralph made Mar 10 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-03-10T14:55:14-04:00

I definitely would, If I could. There was a lot of suck but at the same time, there was a lot of fun. Finding out how corporate world works makes me want to crawl back in the military and hide :P.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Mar 10 at 2015 5:25 PM

2015-03-10T17:25:16-04:00

If I could? In a heartbeat.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 10 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-03-10T17:30:17-04:00

I did. Completed 8 year Army obligation... 1 year break in service, decided to come back in.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 10 at 2015 8:55 PM

2015-03-10T20:55:39-04:00

The crazy thing is that I expect just about anyone who has deployed to want to go back. Civilians can't wrap their heads around it, but I see A LOT of yes votes on this thread. Do me a favor and throw another category or two on your description area. Yes/No surveys are a no no. If we were contacts I would have mentioned it offline. Great topic (in my book)!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 10 at 2015 9:10 PM

2015-03-10T21:10:21-04:00

Happily I am discovering that I'm still needed even at age 72. I'm needed to help veterans as well as active duty service members. I'm needed to help defend the Constitution, possibly more now than ever before.

I'm needed and damn it feels good to serve even if I'm not in uniform or carrying a weapon (although some consider my words a weapon).

Response by Sgt Matt Pinardi made Mar 10 at 2015 9:21 PM

2015-03-10T21:21:51-04:00

I miss the comirodary; during my enlistment I made lifelong friendships, which I cherish. I could count on my brothers then, and I can still rely on their loyalty now.
I have never experienced such bonds in any other of my life's endeavors.
That being said, I would re enlist if variables in my life would have allowed for it. To quote the movie Fury " it's the best job I ever had."

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made Mar 10 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-03-10T21:50:49-04:00

On other topics on RP I have posted part of why I separated early instead of retire. None the less, if I could go back in today I would. On this side of life, the biggest regret of my life is having left early. I have missed the AF everyday for the past 22 years, and miss it more over the past 5 years or so. I miss the structure in the military. No matter how bad it seems in the military, the civilian world sucks. I miss the fact that I have a mission and what I do matters, the civilian world is just a "give the monkey a banana" mentality. I miss working with people who have discipline, the civilian world is nothing but a bunch of overgrown whining babies who need their snot noses wiped everyday. I could go on, I miss the military and wish desperately I could go back in.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Mar 10 at 2015 10:26 PM

2015-03-10T22:26:54-04:00

But way way way too old and round ha haha

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 10 at 2015 10:58 PM

2015-03-10T22:58:11-04:00

No, it is young man's / woman's game. My job was to train them to take over and do better.

I sucked enough in my lifetime...

That said, I would not change a thing.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2015 12:46 AM

2015-03-11T00:46:37-04:00

Hellllll Yes! I'm coming up on the first anniversary of my retirement. Give me 60 days to get back in shape and look the other way on a few 'minor' medical issues from my MEB, and I'll serve another 4 years until I hit 60!!! Send me back over to the sand pit at least one more time, or better yet, let me stay over there most all of the time so I don't have to deal with the bs back here in the states!

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Mar 11 at 2015 7:08 PM

2015-03-11T19:08:01-04:00

It was both and honor and privilege to serve 20 years. I miss the brotherhood and frienships daily. Strange as it might seem, I miss being deployed in the 'Sand box'. I even miss the interservice rivalries. But I know I have a military family full of other veterans outside with me. If I could do it all again I would....good and bad alike.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 7:36 AM

2015-03-13T07:36:06-04:00

That's why I came to this site, trying to figure out how to get back in

Response by CPT Sarah Persinger made Mar 18 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-03-18T12:05:39-04:00

The problem is the generational differences. If I could go back in nursing then maybe. In Ordnance - no. I try to keep up with young people today and it hurts my head! Technology has just made it to where you have no free time - someone can get hold of you at all times, which is often unnecessary and over-used. The rules also keep changing to where enforcing rules is close to impossible because you might hurt someone's feelings.

Response by SPC Jeremy Schmitt made Mar 18 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-03-18T12:31:53-04:00

The night before I start a new job - EVERY TIME - I have the dream that I'm back in. I have to throw on my BDUs because there's a parade starting in 20, but I don't know where my locker is, so I'm rushing around Ft Leonard Wood (It's always Leonard Wood), trying to figure out where my BDUs got stashed. And the Drills are screaming at me, all the while I'm trying to explain that I'm not supposed to be there, that I was discharged and I don't know why I'm here when I'm not getting a paycheck from Uncle Sam anymore.

On the bright side, it makes my first day at work easier.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 20 at 2015 4:44 PM

2015-03-20T16:44:27-04:00

I wish I could just sign up for deployments. If I could go on a deployment then come back and be a civilian (completely, not guard or reserve) and the go again that would be ideal. Probably should have gone PMC but I missed my window.

Response by SSgt Zachary Hunter made Mar 26 at 2015 10:03 PM

2015-03-26T22:03:03-04:00

If they could guarantee me 100% job security and not ERB'd again (Budget cuts), I would in a heartbeat.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 27 at 2015 8:10 AM

2015-03-27T08:10:37-04:00

SPC Thomas Hobbs interesting way you worded this. For many of us, military life might be very difficult and challenging, but at the same time, it was great. I thought Boot Camp was a stress reliever for me, when I went through way back when.

Yes I had some really rough tours, but I also had some really amazing ones. I got to do a lot of cool stuff (going to sea on an Israeli submarine for one) and some really amazing places (Perth Au, anyone). And nothing beats being on the bridge of a ship at sea, on a bright starry night.

If I weren't physically dq, I'd go back as a chaplain in a heart beat (note that I was a Machinist's Mate and a Surface Warfare officer in my previous lives...)

Response by SFC Terry Fortune made Dec 23 at 2015 6:20 PM

2015-12-23T18:20:23-05:00

Sure would! To me life was a lot simpler there than here.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 6:31 PM

2015-12-23T18:31:55-05:00

In a heartbeat, the pay is better, I can send the wife home collect my BAH save some money for once. All the while all the dumb shit goes away, just focus on my guys and my job. Finally get some meaning back into my career.

Response by MSgt Roland Maestas made Dec 23 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-12-23T18:39:43-05:00

If I was a bit younger and in better health hell yea I would re up and go back to the war, back to the military. I did 23 years between AF active duty and ANG. Would have liked to stay AD but shit happens. I thought the military was great. Miss it.

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Dec 23 at 2015 8:17 PM

2015-12-23T20:17:33-05:00

Depends on which suck you're talking about. The military, maybe...the suck suck, no. I don't crave that type of stress or sadness despite the brotherhood. Some things are best experienced 3 times and left at that.

Response by TSgt Patrick Poole made Dec 23 at 2015 9:20 PM

2015-12-23T21:20:13-05:00

Yep

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 2:42 AM

2015-12-24T02:42:55-05:00

I miss the camaraderie! Miss the "knowing where you stood" feeling! If the politics would leave and let everyone do their job (that they enlisted to do) then I would reenlist in less than a heart beat. The Military is responsible for some of the most amazing memories and some of the worst, but it's one of the most love hate relationships I've every had.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 11:39 AM

2015-12-24T11:39:03-05:00

yes, I probably would. But as the saying goes: 'things happen for a reason' so...I'm meant to be where I am right now.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 24 at 2015 7:27 PM

2015-12-24T19:27:13-05:00

At first yes, just got reminded of the suck in Korea, now I would have to say no.