Do you still hold the same sense of pride for your branch and/or job as you did when you began?

2016-08-10T05:13:37-04:00

This curiosity stems from a trend that I often see of a person coming to the end of an enlistment and have to decide to re-enlist or not. While others are sure of their decision to re-up, some seem completely unhappy. What drove you to stay or go?

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 10 at 2016 5:19 AM

2016-08-10T05:19:14-04:00

A1C Private RallyPoint Member simply Duty, Honor Country service to my nation. I loved the team-work!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 10 at 2016 5:19 AM

2016-08-10T05:19:40-04:00

Must Have, Did it for 21 Years, I was a Damn Good Spook Communicator and I enjoyed it.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 5:21 AM

2016-08-10T05:21:29-04:00

(I didn't have enough space in the question...) To specify... I often see people re-enlist because it is either what they know, they view it as "just another job" or because it's "easy." I know specifically of cases where the individual is completely unhappy with what they are doing but have devoted 8-10 years of their life to the military and believe that they might as well just stick it out until retirement. Everybody who serves knows that some days are downright bad, but for the most part do you still take pride in what you do, or do you settle/do it because of any of the previous reasons?

Response by SN Kevin Neff made Aug 10 at 2016 5:41 AM

2016-08-10T05:41:03-04:00

I did. Still do. I'm kind of sad I left the way I did. Hopefully this next chance, if I get it, won't be taken for granted.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 5:41 AM

2016-08-10T05:41:24-04:00

It is important to come to terms with the Army you want, the army that could be, and the Army that is. I take pride in the extraordinary challenges I have overcome as a Soldier. I also like the mystery of not knowing where I will be stationed with or what team I will be on.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Aug 10 at 2016 9:30 AM

2016-08-10T09:30:07-04:00

I'm just glad I did all that crazy shit while I was young and invincible.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Aug 10 at 2016 11:06 AM

2016-08-10T11:06:29-04:00

Still have pride, yes 1000%! Core Values , "Excellence in all we do, service before self and integrity in all we do"

The DOD does not exist to make one happy! Our mission is not a party.

The civilian employment career sector is no party either. Each industry has it's pros and cons. You will never find the same caliber of people in the civilian sector .and a mission that is for the greater good.

Aim High!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 10 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-08-10T11:49:26-04:00

I'm one of the "Go" crowd. Waiting for my ETS next year.

In answer to your question, I would say no, I don't hold the same sense of pride. I had a lot of expectations for the Air Force when I joined. I grew up watching a lot of military movies and TV shows. Many documentaries on past and present conflicts that showed the structure and discipline. So that's what I expected. Now don't get me wrong, I knew it wasn't going to be a 24/7 disciplined machine where we march everywhere, are up at 0500 and in bed at 2100 but I was expecting far more structure. That structure existed of course in basic training but beyond that point it has basically been non existent. Starting with Tech School the AF felt more like college than anything. MTLs, even though they think they have the authority of an MTI, only seemed at most on par with a college dorm RA. Beyond that no body really cared what the MTLs said despite them outranking us by two or more stripes. Even once most of us get to our units things seem like they get more and more relaxed to the point where it feels like any other job with some added fitness elements.

Now I know this isn't the case at every unit nor every branch by far. It is however my experience and is one of the biggest factors leading to my decision to move on. I know I won't get the military feel in the civilian world either but at least I wouldn't have to deal with all of the additional BS.

Simply put I feel it's time for me to move on. I know some people love their military time and to them I give credit. But for me, I have realized it's just not what I was meant to do for 20+ years.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 10 at 2016 12:05 PM

2016-08-10T12:05:19-04:00

I had the chance to leave the Air Force almost every year after my initial service commitment, 5 years. I chose to stay because I believed I was doing something important for my country. It also provided an adequate living for me and my family. I have to admit that it was often fun in the early years when flying was my main occupation. As time went on there was less flying and more staff work, often drudgery, but the underlying belief in duty, honor, and country prevailed. I retired when the Air Force effectively said they didn't need me any more: I was passed over for colonel. It was a good run and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

After retirement I was honored to continue to serve while a government contractor. In many respects, management consulting contracts made us headquarters action officers without uniforms. I kept the dedication to duty, hard work, and striving for excellence that I had on Active Duty and it served me well. After 16 years I had an opportunity to become an Army Civilian. This put me back in service to the country and I approached it much as I had my work on Active Duty, sometimes to the chagrin of some of my fellow civilian employees who were stuck in the 9-to-5 job mode. When I hit 66 I hung it up and am happily retired.

I am proud of the entire Defense establishment. But I have a special place in my heart for the Air Force and Army. Both Services treated me well and provided jobs with a sense of purpose and a descent salary for over 28 years combined. My pride in service is different than when I first joined, it's deeper now and based on an understanding of values and accomplishments.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 11 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-08-11T09:10:21-04:00

I still love my job and still love my branch which is why I was happy to accept a job as a private contractor doing the exact same thing I did in the military. The only reason I left was because my reenlistment was denied because there was too many packages and not enough boat spaces to go around.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Aug 11 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-08-11T12:53:21-04:00

I only served for 4 years, but still feel that it was the greatest thing I ever did.