Calling it Quits and Getting Out?

2015-03-14T17:51:38-04:00

I think that this is an issue most of us have encountered. We've been in mindset where we have decided "no more". No more re-enlistments. For many of us, we continue on, and re-up. A lot of service-members count down the days until they are "free".

Are you one of them? Why?

As a leader, do you encourage continued service or empathize with the end of it?
As a future leader, or veteran, what are your thoughts?

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Mar 14 at 2015 5:55 PM

2015-03-14T17:55:54-04:00

I tell my Soldiers that the choice to stay in or out is one that needs to be carefully thought out. I do know a lot of them that got out because they were 'fed up' with current leadership.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 14 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-03-14T18:03:44-04:00

I encourage a focus on the mission when it's deadly. I encourage thorough transition planning when the time is available and do my best to allow time for it.

I am a big fan of the model of the citizen soldier concept and Cincinatus and the Cincinati he inspired (in concept, not some of their elitist exclusionary ideas) including our first President, George Washington was arguably the best Cincinatus emulator of all time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Quinctius_Cincinnatus

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519–430 BC) was a Roman aristocrat and statesman whose service as consul in 460 BC and dictator in 458 BC and 439 BC made him a model of civic virtue.[1]

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 6:04 PM

2015-03-14T18:04:39-04:00

I've got two years left on a six year commitment and am 99% sure that I won't be staying in. I have a number of reasons:

1) The hours- I work 50+ hours/week and that's not including duty days.

2) Missed opportunities- during my first deployment, my best friend committed suicide. I knew I would miss big events, but not being able to go to his funeral made it really hit home. He also left me a note encouraging me to find something in life to make me happy; if the Navy doesn't make me happy I guess I feel I'd be doing a disservice to him.

3) I've got other plans- out of college I wanted to go to law school and still plan on doing that after the Navy. I joined because it was something I'd always wanted to do so I figured I'd give it a shot, but I've realized I don't enjoy it enough to make it a career. I'll do law school and maybe come back as a JAG if possible.

Mind you, I don't regret joining; my biggest regret is that I didn't try harder to try to come in as an officer. I'm glad I joined and am grateful for most of the experiences I've had, I just don't get enough fullfilment from the Navy to make it my career.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 14 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-03-14T18:26:51-04:00

I don't know why you wouldn't want to be a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine/Coast Guardsman, we have some great hours and even allow you to get a couple extra hours on the weekends and holidays and don't hold it against you. We have some terrific equipment, just in case its raining when you get to work. Our starting pay is very competitive and you get to stay in some very fancy resort like living arrangements in our college style dorms and we even give you a roommate just so you wont get lonely. We give you the most up to date vaccinations prior to sending you to the most exotic vacation hot spots across the globe. You have the opportunity to become immersed in some of the oldest cultures on the planet while drinking tea out of some of the most hygienically clean cups. So, I don't really understand why anyone would ever want to leave, with the afore mentioned benefits, it really amazes me.

When we have a Soldier that makes a decision to leave or is leaning on getting out, I try to talk with them to understand their plan, I really want them to be successful whether in or out of the service. I really believe our former service members are our best recruiters. By treating our people right while they are in, and ensuring they have an opportunity to transition successfully, we give them an opportunity to be productive members of society.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 6:28 PM

2015-03-14T18:28:19-04:00

When I first read the topic, I was sad and concerned that you had decided to quit..and just after getting promoted! I am glad you are still in.

As a reserve leader, it is much harder to keep soldiers in who just don't want to do it anymore. Several soldiers have deployed and just finishing their contracts. They are using their GI Bill and see their civilian future shining brightly ahead. I try to convince them that they should give the Reserve more time and that it can be a great way of maintaining that military mindset that they won't know they are missing until it's gone. Still, coming off off active duty, and deployment(s), Reserve units are a very different world and just not for everyone. I would rather show the door to someone who was just not happy and not motivated to do the job.

It will be interesting to see how the draw down changes things as the RC tries to woo trained soldiers over to their side.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 14 at 2015 6:29 PM

2015-03-14T18:29:55-04:00

I would recommend not making the decision to get out based on emotions. Use objective judgment...don't get out because you are really upset over a single situation, at least in most cases.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 14 at 2015 6:59 PM

2015-03-14T18:59:24-04:00

I got out at my 8 year mark. For me it was a decision based on "what was best for my family."

I was tagged for recruiting duty, while my wife was still active duty. Because my wife was a Bandsmen, she had limited duty station options, and the way USMC recruiting duty works, there is no guarantee about where you will be assigned.

That's fine, but I had to plan for the family. I was in no position to extend or reenlist without knowing where I was going, so I could plan accordingly.

I spoke with my seniors, expressed my concerns, and received a lot of support.

It's not that I wanted to get out, it's that I needed to get out. My leadership understood. When I had young Marines who were getting out (before that), I always made sure they had at least "the outline of a plan."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 7:25 PM

2015-03-14T19:25:15-04:00

For me I share with soldiers my personal experience. I left the Marine Corps after 4 years after the age of 21 because I though I was missing out on something back home. I got back and it was the worst 5 years of my life I nearly went bankrupt and had a hard time keeping a steady job. With no skills or education I quickly realized NOBODY CARED THAT I WAS A MARINE. Good thing for me there was a war going on and an a Army recruiter to pity on me and by the grace of Allah I made it out of a dead end lifestyle. So by the time I tell soldiers that about 75% end up staying in, but realize some people have to learn for themselves. I had a long list of leaders who told me I was making a bad decision but I was not trying to hear it at the time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 7:28 PM

2015-03-14T19:28:40-04:00

I can't tell you how many Veterans have told me, "I wish I would have stayed in!" There are a variety of reasons people join the miitary and I think we need to tap into what is personally motivating to each soldier.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 7:46 PM

2015-03-14T19:46:37-04:00

I talk to everyone that makes a decision to stay or go. I'm more interested in what they have to say than what the AF wants me to tell them. So long as people have a plan, I back off. If they don't have a plan or their plan is stupid - I gently guide them to resources so they can research and come to an educated decision. Bottom line - people are adults and I treat them as such. We talk, they decide, and I wish them the best either way.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Mar 14 at 2015 8:06 PM

2015-03-14T20:06:03-04:00

This is a personal decision that needs logic & facts to be accurate. It's different for each person and has many unique variables that makes the decision good for that person alone. Since this is a life altering event, invest time, thought, and honest reflection before any final direction is settled upon.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 8:23 PM

2015-03-14T20:23:28-04:00

Kudos, SGT Private RallyPoint Member for asking we, as leaders, this simple yet substantive question. When I was in my first enlistment, prior to my re-enlistment window closing, I was informed that upon the close of formation, I had to report to see the Battery Commander. Now, I got along well with our BC, loved working for the man; if he were to have ordered me to run through a brick wall, I'd I've knocked myself out cold trying. However, I had never before been summoned to report before him. After spending the duration of formation running all plausible scenarios through my mind as to what it might be, formation was over and we fell out. Apprehensively, I knocked at his door and requested to enter. Standing perfectly at attention, I rendered a crisp, precise salute, "Sir, SPC Hoiland reports." Returning my salute, he looked me in the eye, smiled, put me at ease and offered me as seat. "Hoiland," he said, "Where do you want to go next?"

Our conversation lasted for nearly two hours that day. I had made my decision to leave Active Duty and continue serving with the Army Reserve. However, I was doing so in order to complete college and pursue my Commission through ROTC. So long as I had a plan, he was supportive. For most Soldiers leaving the Army, this is where the interview ended. Because he was the one who had planted the seed of going ROTC after my enlistment however, he took on a sense of ownership: "What school are you going to?" "UW - La Crosse"; "Have you been accepted yet?" "It's still pending, Sir."; "Have you spoken with the PMS?" "Briefly, Sir." "What did the PMS say?" "He said to call him back once I had been accepted". "Do you have the telephone number for UW - La Crosse?" "Yes, Sir." "Go get it for me!" My Battery Commander called the Admissions Office, telephonically confirmed that I had been accepted, requested that a copy of my acceptance letter be faxed to the BN HQ, requested to be transferred to the Department of Military Science, confirmed my acceptance into that program, and delivered to the PMS a very nice verbal endorsement of my character, drive, and potential.

I had never really given retention or individualized Soldier care much thought before this day, but it was encoded into my Officer's DNA in that meeting. And I wasn't a special case. It turns out, that this meeting was scheduled shortly before the re-enlistment window for a Soldier closed, but with enough time to make it happen if a Soldier so desired. When my Battery Commander asked, "Where do you want to go next?", it turns out he wasn't just blowing smoke up your ass. Didn't like what you're doing and want to reclass? Reclass to what? He would reach out to other Units on Post and let you go over and spend some time with them, talk to the guys doing the job you would be doing if you were to reclass; still interested? If yes, he retained a Soldier. If not, he did his level-best.

After Commissioning, I never returned to Active Duty. There existed (and still does today) a demand for qualified Junior Officers who can bring a bit of my former Battery Commander's passion and zeal for doing right by Soldiers and sowing those seeds far and wide across the Reserve Components. When it comes to retention, maybe it is time for a move for that Soldier. As a leader in a game where far too many players get lulled into looking at nothing more than the numbers, can you step up and do what's right for that Soldier and his family?
If you can't, it's time to reset. If you can, you already know that your reputation for working with your Troops will fill that vacancy soon anyway, so, why worry?

In a fiscally-constrained environment, when your Soldiers roll out of your AO, it's most likely a one-way trip; they won't be able to un-ring that bell. We owe it to each of them to help them make certain their call is the right one!

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Mar 14 at 2015 8:27 PM

2015-03-14T20:27:03-04:00

I am a great and unabashed believer in free will. If someone wants to not do the thing that they are doing today, I want them to do something else as well.

That said, I am also a great believer in people making informed decisions. If someone decides they want to get out (or enlist, for that matter), I want them to really research the grass both on this side of the fence AND on that side. Once they have done that, they should pick the grass that they like the best.

If asked my opinion, I will happily and forthrightly share that I think the military (either active or reserve) is an objectively better choice than not, for the vast majority of people who would ask the question.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 14 at 2015 9:55 PM

2015-03-14T21:55:45-04:00

Well, I am retiree, of almost 33 years, so that is my lens.

You have to decide when your time is right, and we all know when that is...

My screening criteria were always these:

1. Was I still having fun and contributing to the Army team? If the answer was yes, then I stayed.

2. Did the Army (A) have a job they needed me for, or that I was selected for, or (B) was I looking for my next job. Was I still on the A team? If the answer to (A) was yes, then I stayed. I never wanted to go looking for my next job, so I could hang around longer.

As a leader, I always wanted the best for my Soldiers. Not everyone stays, in fact most do not. I always tried to celebrate all who served, not just the Soldiers who decided to stay on.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 2:23 AM

2015-03-15T02:23:15-04:00

I do what most people do...change my opinion. But I have reenlisted twice, and so I think I just like playing with my own head.

I encourage people to stay in unless it's having a negative impact on their mental well being, personal life or health. But if they do plan to get out I make sure they have actual options. The whole "I am going to go to school" thing doesn't really work when you havnt' thought it out passed that.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 8:04 AM

2015-03-15T08:04:19-04:00

I have made it perfectly clear to everyone that cares to listen. The Army is going to have to throw my ass out...at least until April 1st, 2017.

As far as a leader, I always try to keep the good Soldiers in the Army and I even strongly suggest staying in for Soldiers that I know have the potential to be good Soldiers. If the Soldier has made up their mind I ask open ended fact finding questions about what their plans are, I counter any flimsy plans with Army benefits. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Wish I had a buck for every Soldier that has dropped me an email or Facebook message telling me how they should of listened to me.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Mar 15 at 2015 8:58 AM

2015-03-15T08:58:53-04:00

I believe that when a young recruit hits the ground running, they need the organizational support and training immediately. Their chain of command and support chain must be in place and enforced. The young Soldier is eager to learn and is expecting professional leadership and mentorship. This is where the break down occurs, in my opinion. The first few years of service will influence the young Soldiers mindset and decision making.
The unit must be ran professionally at ALL times, especially the senior leadership!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Mar 15 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-03-15T09:52:53-04:00

I am not sure that I am going to re-enlist, the main reason being that I don't like this job. I am into criminal justice/security type jobs and actually had Security Forces as my no. 1 pick on my list and yet here I sit at a desk staring at 4 computer monitors for 8 hours a day. While some would say this is a dream job I would personally disagree.

When it comes to the end of my enlistment I am going to way my options. However, they are going to need to have some pretty good incentives if they expect me to sign another 4 years at least to a job I am sick of. As much as I love the military structure and way of doing certain things, I have a desire to work law enforcement more. So we shall see.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 10:19 AM

2015-03-15T10:19:36-04:00

Excellent discussion point! I could have retired from the Navy in 2012. I look back and kick myself every morning as part of my routine for getting out. I am finishing in the National Guard, but if some are past 10 years I say stick it out.

Response by SSG Mike Sommer made Mar 15 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-03-15T10:30:59-04:00

I got out in 2000 with 7 years 11 months active time. I made SSG in just over 6 1/2 years and was doing well. My entire decision to get out, and trust me it was a hard one that I agonized over for months, was my kids. I always wanted my kids to grow up around my family.
There are days where I really miss the the Army. I look back and think of my decision and in the end I still come to the same conclusion.
I had a great Plt SGT that sat me down and we talked about all my options before getting out and I will never forget his leadership.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-03-15T10:48:15-04:00

Hahah I'm counting down the days.... But a part of me wants to go army ranger lol so it's a back and forth everyday

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 15 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-03-15T11:54:38-04:00

Come with me to my "Way Back" machine and let's visit the 60s when Phillips Petroleum was celebrated as "The" organization exemplifying all that was best in an employer. One of the TV networks broadcast a "white paper" show extolling their virtues. I made viewing it a mandatory assignment for my enlisted men.

I wanted them to see what "the real world" really looked like. Most had enlisted right out of high school and had a highly romanticized view of civilian life viz-a-viz military life. They groused about the uniforms, the food, the tedium, the overbearing authority, etc, etc, etc.

The TV show didn't disappoint. It was a very honest and factual expose of life in the American corporate world. Yes, those people wore "uniforms". They were expected to behave and socialize in appropriate ways. Those who aspired to executive positions were the most closely regulated and monitored. God help them if they or their dependents had a Southern Accent. They attended classes to replace if with a more acceptable speech pattern. Their wives were required to attend specific social functions to demonstrate their ability to represent the corporation well.

The discussion I had with my troops the next day was extremely interesting.

Civilian life is rarely anything like what the troops expect, especially those who never really had any experience with it...

Response by MAJ George Hamilton made Mar 15 at 2015 2:11 PM

2015-03-15T14:11:35-04:00

When you don't love what you do as a Soldier anymore - leave. Because anything less than a love for what you do in the military is a disservice to those you serve with.

Soldiers deserve nothing less than everything their leaders can offer them. If that is a bridge too far, than it is time to leave that job so someone else who is truly willing can fulfill that obligation.

Response by SSG Alphonso Aiello made Mar 16 at 2015 10:47 AM

2015-03-16T10:47:07-04:00

I have recently gotten out and have adapted to the civilian life. I hold a full time job and I am using my GI bill to persue my degree at the same time. Its just like the military the effort you put in is the effort and response you will get back. The army treated me. Great I had no problems although I made the choice to get out I didn't try to persuade my soldiers to follow suit. It was just my time to go with injures and numerous deployments help me make up my mind that my body could keep up with these young bucks anymore.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-03-16T14:34:58-04:00

@SGT Erin Wilkins

Before I reenlist a Soldier, I have them sit down with me and explain their decision process. I want to ensure that they are aware of what the have already earned, what their long term goals are, and where do they want to see themselves at the end of their career. I've also done that with Soldiers who are emphatic about ETS'ing. I just want to ensure that the decision is made using logic and not emotion. In every case I believe each Soldier made the best decision for themselves and the institution and I always support those decisions.

But there is an emotional component to making that decision...I'm not sure I could fully explain that here, but, believe making a decision to stay or go is a significant emotional event. At least it was for me...15 years later I'm STILL trying to figure out if I want to stay or go...Right now, I can't see myself being in any other vocation than that of a Soldier. When that changes, I'll re-evaluate...

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Mar 16 at 2015 5:36 PM

2015-03-16T17:36:05-04:00

This is something I'm familiar with and think about quite often, the "What if I'd stayed in..."

I did an 8 year stint in the reserves to help pay for college, then hated my job so after being out for a year I went active. At the time, my motivations were to get $ for my masters degree and to see Europe. I fell in love with Europe and found that I enjoyed the Army life so I re-upped a couple times. I ended up doing about 7 years active total and the reasons I left were threefold:

1. At my last duty station, I had an NCOIC who was a complete and utter prick, he hated me with a passion and went out of his way to screw with me and make life as miserable as he possibly could. I'm not exaggerating when I say that he made it personal and made me so unhappy that I started hating the Army. Because of him I decided that there was no way I could remain in the Army as an enlisted soldier as I would always face the prospect of having my life and career be ruled over by someone like him.

2. With the above in mind, I decided to put my degree to some use and apply to officer school with the Air Force with the intent of making a career out of it. I was a whisker away and was told by the recruiter that I was a lock for acceptance as I had two letters of recommendation from General Officers but wouldn't you know it, the Army screwed up some paperwork and the slots got filled that year before we could get it fixed. I was 32 at the time and did not want to wait another year to apply and then end up as a 35 year old 2LT so I made the decision to get out since I was pretty sure I could get a GS position in my field.

3. When I was about a year out I was told that my MOS was being tabbed for recruiter duty and that there was a 99.9% chance that I would be forced to do it. Recruiter is one job I did NOT want to do and that added to my decision to get out.

For a lot of years after I got out I did not regret my decision at all, I was convinced that I did the right thing. However, in the past few years I have started to miss many things about the military and started wondering if maybe I should have stuck it out. Especially now with three kids and a mortgage, that retirement check sure would come in handy. But being a DAC, I work with active duty soldiers everyday and I have to say that whenever I see an NCO who is a complete tool, it brings back memories of why I got out in the first place. My only regret is that I wish I'd stuck it out for another year and gone to Air Force OTS, age be damned. If I had, I'd be sitting here as a Major getting ready to retire in less than 3 years...

Response by SGT Justin Singleton made Mar 16 at 2015 5:38 PM

2015-03-16T17:38:03-04:00

I counted down the days, but then was stop-lossed due to the war in Iraq. I had three children at the time, and was trying to finish college. I believed that getting out would be the best thing to do. Looking back now, I think I would have liked staying in a few more years (I almost made eight—got called out of the IRR nine months after getting out of my six-year enlistment) as the next five or six years were terrible (poverty, etc.). That said, I am now back on my feet and doing fine.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 8:16 AM

2015-03-17T08:16:55-04:00

I have no problem sitting down with a Soldier and talking to them about their plans to get out of the Army. I've done it a few times already. I let them explain to me what they plan on doing and then I explain to them what the Army could do for them. I know a lot of Soldiers want to get out because they've had bad experiences at their current, and only, duty station. If that's the case I tell them that they need to try to PCS to somewhere else, because not all units are the same and they could find one they actually like. I was at the point where I wanted to get out after my initial contract, but now I'm about to hit my 13 year mark. After 13 years and 4 deployments, I can definitely say that I've been around the block a couple times and I can easily talk to a Soldier as out staying in or not, because they actually listen to what I have to say.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-03-17T10:18:09-04:00

For me, reenlisting was an easy choice. The benefits of service outweigh the risks of getting out at this point in my life. If I had to pinpoint the reason many of my peers decide to ETS, it would be toxic leadership. Having poor leaders can be the difference in keeping or losing a good soldier.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 11:15 AM

2015-03-17T11:15:43-04:00

I am torn on "retention efforts". There are plenty of advantages to both in and out, therefore I try not to sway to or from separation. I always try to find out why they want out and if they have a plan. If there is a plan and a legitimate reason to get out, then I will help with TAPS. If there is no plan or they are simply whining, then I explain the nonsense of their irritation and suggest that they aren't prepared to leave.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Mar 17 at 2015 12:48 PM

2015-03-17T12:48:29-04:00

I reenlisted 1 time then I got out, I got out for reasons, did not want to keep deploying, and wide at the time felt the same way

Response by PO1 John Miller made Apr 11 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-04-11T22:55:02-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member , great question. I myself was ready to get out at around my 15 year mark and the only reason I decided to stay was I had just gotten married and could use the benefits, so I decided to stick out the last 5 years. In retrospect I'm glad I did as I'll always have that cushion of being a military retiree.

As a leader when one of my junior Sailors came to me and said "Petty Officer, I want to get out of the Navy." My first question was always "What is your plan?"

If they wanted to go to school I'd ask them if they had applied to any and if so, had they been accepted. If they just wanted to get a "regular" job I'd ask if they had applied to any.

I never encouraged anyone to reenlist, but I never discouraged it either. I would ask them to compare the benefits of staying in versus getting out. Some of my guys decided to reup, some decided to get out.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 11 at 2015 11:41 PM

2015-04-11T23:41:38-04:00

Great question. I made the choice to get out after 9 years. More days than not, I think I chose wrong. Not that my life is bad or anything....but I have yet to find a career that is anywhere near as fulfilling.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 12:30 AM

2015-04-12T00:30:29-04:00

hoosing not to reenlist agian is a choice I have pondered the answer to for months now, and I have come to the conclusion that I just don't have the heart for anymore. My family comes first in all of my decisions I make, and it hasn't been easy. I know the civilian world is not easy, it wasnt easy when I joined the Army at 31 years old either. I just feel with our society crumbling around us and it is only going to get worse. I do not want to be half way around the world unable to take care of what is most important, which is my family. I am far enough out from my ETS date that i have already started doing my homework. i have started my plans and been networking with people i know to help me stay in my chosen profession of law enforcement.

I am still a soldier and I still lead troops, and my decision to get out is my choice and I do not push my decision on them. If they ask me I tell them it is a personal decision, but I am there to help in anyway possible. I have helped one soldier successly transition to the civilian sector, and I plan to do the same myself. Infact my oldest is working with a recuiter right now to get his delayed entry started so when he graduates next year he will leave for basic. As a parent i will not condemn his choice, it is his life and I respect his decision. I have been there every step to help guide him along in person and over the internet since leaving them when I PCS to Korea. My job as an NCO is to lead soldiers and that is what I do, and I will leave my personal life out of it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 10:37 PM

2015-04-12T22:37:02-04:00

I teach my Soldiers to always have a plan for either direction and caution them on negative comments.

My emphasis is to not make re-enlistment their only option as they can become bitter. Always make re-enlistment a choice. If a person plans properly you can have choices when you come to the crossroad of remaining in the service or leaving to pursue civilian career.

I explain not to rely on the Military as things are constantly changing and there may come a time when they cannot remain in service for some reason.

I also show them options on different jobs and have them research something they might truly enjoy and something that could possibly assist them on the civilian side.

I agree with CPT Aaron Kletzing that emotions need to be removed from the decision making process. I want my Soldiers to become informed and utilize the benefits they are earning daily.

Response by SPC Donald Tribble made Apr 12 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-04-12T22:48:29-04:00

For me it was an easy decision. I served from 1984-1987 in a field medical unit with no peacetime mission. I was actually fortunate and worked in the S-1 as the Publications Clerk and later as the Mail Clerk. This got me out of a lot of the post beautification assignments but it didn't save me from the rent-a-crowd assignments. Mind you my MOS was not Clerk, I was a Combat Medical Specialist. However the unit was over strength on Medics but short Clerks and I learned about "other duties as assigned". When it came time to reenlist my Retention NCO wasn't interested in doing anything but the bare minimum so he just wanted me to sign up for next available or something like that. Basically it stated that I didn't care where I went or what I did. I didn't want to spend 20 yeas of my life no doing my MOS so I left.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-04-13T11:53:12-04:00

I encouraged Soldiers to do at least 1 reenlistment. Never base your service experience on just one unit. Ultimately my decision to get out was family related and everyone needs to come to that choice after a lot of thought. As a single father I was extended an extra year in Germany as "essential personnel" for a deployment I was left on rear d for. I had orders deleted and missed another year of my son's life for nothing. Other people have had better experiences but it shouldn't be a snap emotional decision. I chose to continue my service with the reserves and I recommend that to anyone who getsout.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 12:01 PM

2015-04-13T12:01:26-04:00

I did it twice. As you can see I am still in the military. I had two breaks in service but they say the third time the charm. So I am going to keep going this time.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 13 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-04-13T12:12:13-04:00

I had to wrestle with this one only a few months ago. The first day I got my uniform and rifle were magical moments for me. But, I had one too many instances of bad leadership, frustration, and overall exhaustion with it all. As nostalgic as I am on most days, I am willing to stick by the decision to leave. I'll keep an open mind though and remain open to coming back.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-04-28T20:01:40-04:00

For a few people that I know the decision was made for them for one reason or another. I know for me I keep re-enlisting because of the Brotherhood that you cant find on the civilian side and the desire to serve.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-04-29T14:52:32-04:00

My days of the military are coming to an end. When you have given your all to the military for your whole adult life. And you see that your body and mind are tired, that's when you must make a decision on if you stay... or go. And if you do stay, what good will you be to leading troops when you can't do what you did before?

I am at 24 years and have had a ball in the Army/ USMC and wouldn't trade it for the world. When the time comes for you to get out, you will know. And it will be the right time.

Great discussion.

Semper Fi/ Hooah

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Aug 28 at 2015 6:10 PM

2015-08-28T18:10:25-04:00

As a leader I encouraged both. If I saw a soldier that just didnt get it and didnt want to be there I was not against them moving on. If I saw a soldier who really tried but was just a notch or two shy of meeting requirements I would work with them on the side to help them reach that notch. I found it utterly disgusting to watch fellow NCO's trash talk a soldier and never give them a chance.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 29 at 2018 1:15 AM

2018-08-29T01:15:06-04:00

Are you in love w/ the Military? So many of us/were/are, have not had problems w/in the Military and hang around Rally Point as a sop to our “wish we were still serving with all of those beautiful, caring and serving Americans”. SGT Private RallyPoint Member For many service people the Military is a job. For many others, the Military is a calling!! That is a bottom line cause to continue service!