Did you have a long-term plan when you joined the military?

Sure did

No long term plans other than that night , retired with over 30 years and would do it again

As my dear, old dad said, “ For someone that hates to get up in the morning and hates to be told what to do, you made a strange career choice.”

My plan was to enter into the medical field with my training I would receive in the Army. Mission accomplished, I became a Registered Nurse.

I made a contract with myself 20 and out, 68-88. I retired 20 yrs, 2 mo and 2 days later at 38 years old. I left E-8 and a great assignment on the table that would have E-9 selectiveness. I have no regrets.
My second career, retiring as a Sgt with Las Vegas Police 88-05, resulted in a much greater retirement salary. I retired again at age 55 with no regrets.
As for education with any career it never stops. The best part just like the military, it was reimbursed at 100%. I now spend my time supporting the various Veteran Organizations including the VVA, DAV, VFW, CVMA and AZVHOF.
My only regret now is getting old but the circle of life goes on.

Yes and no.At 24 with a wife and child I returned to an A&V school finished the last of my high school credits,with diploma in have joined the National Guard.Enlisted as 67n10 crew chief (UH-1) Flt Status.I made the recruiter use that as ALL there choices.SO at AIT(with broken foot) made 3 rd in class Honor Grad=in 16 months made E-4. Then the Gulf came and went and many were riffed out with in state politics.Honorable Oct 15 1990.Would have liked to stay but in all honesty wish had gone full active or Navy.

get home alive

I wanted to be in the military when I was a youngster, joined when I was 18, went I R R after serving for 24 yrs with the MIARNG.

Yes i wanted to make it a life job but unfortunately while on a training mission in Fort Stewart Georgia i was Honorably Discharged from active duty back in 2006 my first year in the US Army

I was denied entry into the Air Force back in 2006. Sat on the idea of joining the Army for about 8-9 years before signing my contract in May 2015; decided to join because I might regret not joining. Told myself to do 2 years of my 3 1/2 year contract to see if this is something I want to do long-term.

Seeing the new Army of hurt feelings and if I said the wrong thing to the wrong brand new private, I could see myself out involuntarily. At that point, I decided to look at options including Early Separation to Further Education since my ETS is currently in October 2018 and if I didn't go back to school this Fall, I would have to wait until next Fall. So far, I have the backing of my Company Commander and Company 1SG. Just waiting for the University to say, "Yes," so I have proof with the acceptance letter and to move my packet up further.

Hopefully it will all work out when I separate.