Ever met anyone who regretted staying in for 20 years?

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 04:15:23 -0400

I've talked to plenty of people who lamented the fact that they got out of the Armed Services prior to making 20. Has anyone ever met a person who regretted staying in? We have a squared away E-6 in our section who is contemplating getting out after 7 years of service. It seems to me that it is always the good ones who get frustrated and leave.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Aug 9 at 2015 4:47 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 04:47:57 -0400

While I have not met anyone who regretted staying in for 20 years, I've heard many who retired at 20 years express regret that they didn't stay in for 30 years.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 5:23 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 05:23:50 -0400

We have people at my unit that are getting out with over 10 years and they are not being forced out. The Army is a different world than it was many years ago.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 9 at 2015 5:54 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 05:54:52 -0400

I know of none but I'm sure there are a few out there.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 7:10 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 07:10:23 -0400

I have not personally met anyone that regretted their decision to stay in for 20 years. I have seen a trend of talented young Captions leaving after their service obligation was up in my community over the last few years. It appears to me that some of the best junior leaders are frustrated and have ample opportunities elsewhere, and they know it. I truly believe that the 20 year mark is not meant for everyone, and as long as soldiers have a plan and goals they can be successful. What I don't like to see is the "grass is always greener" crowd influencing decisions for people, especially young kids that have not lived or worked in the civilian world.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Aug 9 at 2015 9:03 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 09:03:27 -0400

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member, I served 20 years and have no regrets whatsoever. Not only did the Army provide me with a fulfilling and rewarding career - it was a privilege to serve in this capacity. I appreciate the response of SFC Gary L Schlotthauer on this topic as he offers some keen insight.
My brother served for 13 years in the Air Force and left the service and he regrets not continuing on for 20, as he was on a successful path.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 9:10 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 09:10:45 -0400

I haven't yet, but I have met a few people who have regretted staying past 20. I was told by these people that every year they stayed past 20 made them harder to be potentially higher by civilian companies in the future because they were becoming overly qualified in their perspective career field.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Aug 9 at 2015 11:00 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 11:00:21 -0400

I regret that I couldn't have stayed longer, damn promotion boards lol....I don't regret staying to 20, that was my plan all along, hindsight being 20-20 though, had I known in 2010 that I wouldn't make MSG I would have gotten out at 23 and taken one of the DA Civilian Instructor jobs that I was overseeing at Ft. Knox and would be a GS-7 today....but, such is life.....

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 11:35 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 11:35:33 -0400

No, but I've met scores of members who deeply regretted getting out too early. Who hasn't?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 5:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 17:29:16 -0400

In hindsight, I regret staying in.
It cost me my marriage.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 9 at 2015 10:54 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 22:54:29 -0400

Nope, You don't do something for 20+ years if you don't like something about it. The Camaraderie, Being part of the In-Crowd, Being in the Know. If they would let me, I'd probably do it again. Still think I would be the King of the HF Term.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Aug 10 at 2015 10:57 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:57:31 -0400

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member - No.. I have never met anybody who stayed in the military for 20 years or more who said they regretted it. However, I have met quite a few whom I wish had not stayed in 20 or more years... :-)

Seriously, as mentioned by others, I have also met many who stayed 20 who regretted not staying 30.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 10 at 2015 1:47 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:47:34 -0400

I honestly can't say that I have... In fact, most that I have spoken to are glad that they did 20 plus. Some have, however, regretted some of the "things" they had to carry with them for the rest of their lives because of the military, but none have regretted serving...

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Aug 11 at 2015 4:23 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 04:23:53 -0400

It's just the opposite. I met a lot of people who regretted getting out. Jobs are not always easy to find and if you work on a government contract as a contractor, the threat of losing the contract is real.

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Aug 11 at 2015 6:17 PM

PO1 Scott Cottrell — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:17:28 -0400

I have never heard of anyone regretted staying for 20 years. I was forced into having a retirement ceremony when I retired, was also forced into saying something for retention. Being a person who does not sugarcoat things, I basically said if you have less than 10 years in and want to get out, do it. But, if you are over 10 years finish out 20, the last 10 years fly by anyway. Under the newest proposed retirement plan (basically a military 401K), I would not ask anyone to go to 20 years unless they wanted to.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 13 at 2015 3:41 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 03:41:49 -0400

I can't say I regretted staying in for 20 years and 8 days!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 13 at 2015 2:34 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:34:29 -0400

No. I am honored that I gave a piece of me to the Army and the Country. It is a feeling civilians can't feel.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Mar 15 at 2016 4:10 AM

SFC Marcus Belt — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 04:10:43 -0400

A current friend and former 1SG does.

When I returned to Active Duty I told myself I'd stay until OIF/OEF were done OR I stopped enjoying my job. In all candor, there're aren't a lot of things I still enjoy,and the later I get in my career, the earlier 0630 PT formation feels, but by the time I reached that conclusion, I was past the 17 year mark.

Regret? Not at all. Looking forward to the next phase? Most definitely.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 1:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 13:06:09 -0400

I had 33year in the ARNG NY also 27 years with the DOD retired

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 11:52 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 23:52:34 -0400

After having read many of the comments below, I believe that anyone who has stayed in for at least 10 years is a fool to not stay in for 20. The US Military is the only organization that I know who will provide a retirement, full benefits and a lifetime of visiting the BX/Commissary. I only stayed in for 3+ years during VietNam, to return and finish my Masters at TCU. I should have returned after that via a commission since my Dad was retired AF...in the blood etc. I didn't do it and I think about that many times each year. Instead I retired from the Feds as a Federal Agent, which had its moments. If I could return I would..In summary, STAY IN for 20, it's the BEST deal around.

Response by SSgt David Marks made Sep 11 at 2017 12:01 AM

SSgt David Marks — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 00:01:33 -0400

I know a lot of veterans that wished they would have been allowed to stay in to 20 years so they could have retired. I'm one of them, my son is another. I had over 13 yrs and my son over 14 yrs in the USAF. The problem, wasn't that our job related injuries kept us from doing our jobs, because it didn't. As is now and also in the mid 80's, it's all politics, if you intend to do your job correctly without showing favoritism, you won't make it to retirement. If you love to kiss butt, you'll go a long way. Nobody wants the job done right anymore. It's sad really.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Nov 6 at 2021 9:32 AM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 09:32:52 -0400

He is an idiot then. I did 25 and am proud to be an american because of it.