Has anyone gotten out around that halfway mark and regretted it? Do you have any advice, tips, or constructive criticism?

2021-12-04T05:37:21-05:00

currently on the fence on whether or not I should re-enlist this next go around. Come January I will be at 10 years and I’m scheduled to ETS February 2023. I’m not sure if I should re-enlist which will put me indefinite or just get out and be a police officer. I have the option of going drill sergeant this February. Would love to go to Benning as a drill and then stay TRADOC after a 3 year drill tour. Maybe become a black hat at airborne school since I’m also jumpmaster.

Has anyone gotten out around that halfway mark and regretted it?

Currently 30 years old. SSG. 19D with 10 years TIS in January. Not really concerned with “hurting” my career progression by going from drill to another position like black hat. Hell if I could I’d ride out my contract in tradoc and away from the line.

Any advice, tips, and or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2021 7:26 AM

2021-12-04T07:26:38-05:00

I got out at six years, was out for six and went back active. When I hit 10 years, I faced a med-board and fought to stay in so I could finish my 20 years and then retire. Staying in tradoc for 10 years will be a hard feat to achieve, especially as a 19D. Going drill will never "hurt" your career if you are planning to stay NCO. That little badge will always be a separator on senior NCO boards. In the end, if getting out is the best choice for you and your family, get out and make the best of your life. When you look at the financials, make sure you compare things equally. Don't just look at base pay vs entry level pay for PD, but factor in all those things you get such as BAH and BAS. Those increase your standard of living but are sometimes left out of pay comparisons. Good luck to you!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 4 at 2021 8:49 AM

2021-12-04T08:49:25-05:00

Just a few things to consider before making a hard decision... I have two friends who got out around their 10-11 year mark. One absolutely loves the choice and never looked back. The other regrets it daily and wishes he had stayed in.

Best advice I can offer is to consider what is best for YOU and your family. If having a more stable home life, time with the children, career change, etc appears to be the best, then I would say pull the eject handle and enjoy the ride. You also mentioned possibly becoming a police officer. From personal experience, if that is what you have your heart set on, it's probably best to punch out now to pursue that career option. I tried at 38yo after retiring from active duty but every department I spoke with told me I was beyond their 35yo cut off line and none offered age exemptions for military.

Staying to retirement has its advantages as well. It's a guaranteed check every month plus you'll have access to TRICARE health insurance (such as it is). If you do go the Drill SGT route, that also could open up more opportunities down the road. The added experience as a supervisor/manager will often be looked upon favorably by potential employers.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Dec 4 at 2021 10:03 AM

2021-12-04T10:03:06-05:00

I had this same dilemma when I came up on my 10 yr mark. What was my deciding factor and helped me for the rest of my career is service to country. I choose to serve and it helped my family and still continues to. I retired with over 20 yrs and my experience has led me to pursue more education while working. It is a decision that you alone must make. I don't regret mine. I wish you the best.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2021 10:36 AM

2021-12-04T10:36:30-05:00

A good blended option is to go to the National Guard or Reserve Component. You can still pursue your goal of becoming a drill sergeant in the USAR, become a police officer, and end with a retirement. Could be a win-win.

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Dec 4 at 2021 11:05 AM

2021-12-04T11:05:33-05:00

I finished up drill sergeant duty in early 1991 as Desert/Shield-Storm was wrapping up. Three months later, I was selected for recruiting and was in a station in September 1991. Drill Sgt duty was great but recruiting was horrible for me. I didn’t have the “personality” and I wasn’t in a “walk-in” station. Anyway, I was at the 11-12 year point in my career at the time and hated recruiting so much that I tried to take the early out twice but was denied each time. When I left recruiting, I came out on the SFC list so I’m glad I didn’t get out. I was a 44B/44E (metalworker/machinist). I retired in 2000 with 20 years and 1 day due to the financial aspects of half my base pay was mine whether I went to work the next day or not. Since retiring at 38, I was young enough to go to college and eventually obtain a masters degree and am closely approaching the end of a second career (2-5 years) with another good retirement. So, one a month for the last 21.5 years, I get a nice reminder from the Army that has increased substantially over the years thanks to COLAs.

Just think through all the reasons to stay in with the retirement starting at a young age. If you get a really good opportunity soon that you can hang your hat on and sleep well at nights, do what’s best for you and your family.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2021 11:39 AM

2021-12-04T11:39:19-05:00

I was at the half way mark when I got out in 2003. Came back in 2008. At the end of the day, you will have to decide what is best for you. But, if you still want to serve but not serve in a Line all day every day, then consider the Guard or Reserve. That way, you could still become a cop.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Dec 4 at 2021 12:56 PM

2021-12-04T12:56:27-05:00

All I can say is, I got out after 12 years due to a daughter's medical issues - I had to sign a statement of, "Intent Not to Reenlist." which back then guaranteed losinjg a stripe as you could not re-up until after 91 days. That was done so people couldn't refuse PCS Orders, then re-up for their current duty station which is exactly what I'd hoped to do.
Sometimes, choices are tough and though I have no regrets that cause me to lose sleep, I sure wish I could have stayed in because I loved being Army. Your decision is which career you want to have the most - Army or police. Back then, I'd have loved to have stayed in the police field, but better opportunities happened. TODAY ... depending upon where - I do NOT think I'd want to take a police job ... not the way they're villified, persecurted and prosecuted. Sometimes rightfully so, mostly NO rightfully so. Case in point: The OFF DUTY Lieutenant in the Norfolk, Virginia PD who was fired because he made an ANNONYMOUS $25 Dollar donation to Kyle Rittenhouse's defense. The website he donated through was hacked and his private donation was disclosed.
For the sake of argument, while some prosecutions of police have been absolutely justified, even the most petty cases are as well. Not seeking a whole new topic of discussion - just addiing to your consideration of Army vs PD.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2021 2:01 PM

2021-12-04T14:01:46-05:00

Got out of active duty originally around 9 years TIS as a SSG. Eventually went in the reserves and then back on commission active duty to attend graduate school education. It worked out best for me in the long run as I did not want to continue at the time as I was DA select for recruiting duty

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Dec 4 at 2021 4:36 PM

2021-12-04T16:36:27-05:00

You can be "greedy". Leave active duty for a police career, but continue in an Army Reserve unit. There were quite a few LEOs in my Reserve unit, and their Departments fully supported their dual activities. It might be well to check on how much support you will get from a prospective Police Department employer.
You won't get your military pension right away, but your drill pay will come in handy, and your pension (and benefits) will be waiting there for you while you complete your police career.
That way, you won't waste those 10 years of active duty, they will become 3,650 Army Reserve retirement points.

Response by TSgt Carl Johnson made Dec 4 at 2021 9:51 PM

2021-12-04T21:51:18-05:00

I left active duty at the six-year mark and transferred directly into the reserves. I was a TACP on active duty, but had to retrain as a medical technician in the reserves. I couldn't stand the USAF Medical Corps (I never fit in), and my unit would not release me to another unit, even though I found one that would accept me in my first AFSC, so I separated with eleven years service. I started regretting separating a few years later. I was constantly telling people that I should have stayed in. My wife knew that I was unhappy as a police officer, and she got tired of me saying that I should have stayed in the Air Force, so she told me to call a recruiter. I ended up having to join the Air National Guard (was over 40, but in excellent physical condition) more that eleven years after separating, retraining as a propulsion technician on C-130's. I later retrained, yet again, into Intel. I spent more time on active duty in the ANG that I did in the regular AF due to deployments and mobilizations. I retired with five AFSC's (MOS for you) and over twenty-four years of service. I feel blessed that I was able to finish my career, but I still wish that I had just stayed in to start with. I would have made a lot more rank, and had a fatter retirement, and still had time for a second career.
SSG Private RallyPoint Member, you cannot be a drill sergeant or a black hat as a civilian, but there are numerous jurisdictions that would love to have a recently retired veteran on their police department. You do what is best for you and your family, but on the outside looking in, my advice is stay for twenty. I am very happy on the first of the month when my country's thank-you gets deposited! But even more so, I am very proud of my service to my nation, state, and community.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 4 at 2021 10:48 PM

2021-12-04T22:48:54-05:00

I would consider what’s best for your family but ETSing at 11 years leaves a lot of credit on the table.

You could always use that time towards a gov job after getting out but I would sit down with a career planner and go over your options. Unless you have a reason to get out after 11 I would stick it out

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Dec 5 at 2021 12:21 AM

2021-12-05T00:21:41-05:00

If you do seperate, please look at other options other than Police Officer. Long time ago when I was Infantry most of those guys ETS'ing would go Police Officer or Prison Guard because that is all they thought they were qualified for. Both jobs have high burnout rates. If Police work interests you then maybe take a position with a Railroad Police Force, or maybe a Federal Security Force (the Federal Reserve has a Security Force). Also look at non-police jobs where Infantry does pretty well at and the employer likes the background such as Railroad Operations (Railroad Conductor then Locomotive Engineer). If you go back to college and get a degree or if you already have a 4 year degree, you can go into IT with not a lot of training. Age 30-35 is not too old to start in any industry or area you choose.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2021 5:58 AM

2021-12-05T05:58:11-05:00

Make a decision and stick with it. Ten years is the latter end of "shit or get off the pot"... if you re-up, you need to stay for 20. If you're going to look at being a cop, go into the Army Reserve or National Guard, you'll be glad you did for the added pension around age 60.

Regardless of what you decide, have a plan. Don't get out without a good plan and a fallback plan on top of that. Make sure you use your GI Bill benefits to earn a degree as well (earn it in something that interests you, it'll make it easier).

I'm at 22 years in Army for 22 years and before going Warrant, I seriously considered popping smoke everytime... but the Army just had better opportunities each of those times. You have to weigh your options and do what's best for you in the end. You can usually find opportunities (like being a Drill Sergeant) in the reserve and law enforcement agencies usually offer pretty good retirement plans.

This brings me to my next point: SAVE FOR RETIREMENT! Even if it makes things tight now, putting money away in a 401k will make life easier when you're a tired old fart who goes fishing (or whatever) all day. I started seriously saving and investing around my eight year mark (when I married a woman much smarter and more responsible I am), and we're in a good place. A job that has a good pension plan (like being a cop for a well governed jurisdiction), and an Army Reserve pension would be a bonus on top of your retirement savings.

The Army's great, but it's not the only great option out there. Whatever you decide, make sure you'll be happy and enjoy going to work each day.

Best wishes to you in the future!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 5 at 2021 9:08 AM

2021-12-05T09:08:56-05:00

My daughter resigned from the ANG after.about 10 years. 10 years later she realized she would need the military retirement. She joined the Navy reserve and has completed her 20 years and 10 years commissioned service.

Response by SSG Richard (Rick) Dana made Dec 5 at 2021 9:54 AM

2021-12-05T09:54:40-05:00

Go for the “20” at least. Yes, I do regret getting out half way, but my age at the 10 year mark was 36 because I got out and waited to do a duel service at that time. Was not in my best interest for my family or myself in my retirement.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Dec 5 at 2021 5:46 PM

2021-12-05T17:46:56-05:00

Can you get a promotion as a drill instructor? Are chances better for promotion where your are? NOW the flip side of that. What salary do you earn as a Police Officer? What is the promotion like at the police department you are looking at? Do you want to plant roots in a community or move every 3-4 years? How has the new military retirement system affected your concerns to get out? I know these are questions, but answer them truthfully and DON'T LOOK BACK.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Dec 6 at 2021 12:47 PM

2021-12-06T12:47:53-05:00

You’ve already invested half the time, if you have a family and kids it’s better to stay in. You hit 20 you get your check, and your still young enough to double dip and get a good job and bank. The medical benefits are worthwhile in and by itself. Plus you probably get a nice incentive check to stay in. I can see questioning it at 4/6 years and a second hitch, but 10 years I’d really weight that one. Maybe a change of MOS to rekindle and recharge, DI is tough duty, but you’ll pick up rank and help young recruits. Hated Benning, but it is what it is, could be worse.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Dec 6 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-12-06T19:28:21-05:00

A discharge, separation from the military, not re--upping, whatever you call it, is like a DIVORCE. Get over it, don't look back, and make the best of what is in front of you.

Response by SGT Luis Quinones made Dec 8 at 2021 4:23 AM

2021-12-08T04:23:16-05:00

Myself,left the military after ten and a half years,and later I did regretted even do I went in as a reservist but it was not the same,but At the same time I did get a great job and about to retire.that was back in the early 90s

Response by SSG Daniel Brewster made Dec 8 at 2021 9:30 PM

2021-12-08T21:30:49-05:00

I did just under five active and five in the reserves - looking at it now, I kick myself for not doing 20 and staying in the reserves. I hadn’t thought about my military service for years, but the day it would have been 20? That’s the first thing I thought when I woke up that morning. My story is different than somebody that was active for ten years as ten years (or 20) as an 11B is not easy on the body.

I got out, did well in the civilian world and am easing up on retirement. I’ll turn 57 in a few months and have no real complaints. I can say for sure that I wouldn’t have the same economic advantages that I have today if I hadn’t gotten out, but I’ve been exceptionally lucky. I live near a military community and many of my friends and neighbors did 20, and then did another 20 as a .civ (working on base, etc.) and will double-dip. Good for them, and that could have easily been me. Trust me, you must think about finances and have a plan, especially if you have kids to send to college.

Response by AA Karen Dietrich made Dec 9 at 2021 6:17 PM

2021-12-09T18:17:15-05:00

I was medboarded 2 years in and how I wish I could have given 20. My father was in 16 years 4 months and didn’t regret his choice to leave as he didn’t want to go back to Korea again.

Response by PO2 David Witt made Feb 8 at 2022 12:57 PM

2022-02-08T12:57:40-05:00

I served from 73-77, 81-87, 89-99 and retired.

Response by SP5 John Fitzgerald made Feb 19 at 2022 2:10 PM

2022-02-19T14:10:53-05:00

Dude, finish your second half. You will still have time for a second career and be bolstered by a supplemental lifetime income that will yield security and independence. The second half will fly by.