How and when did you make your decision to serve for 20+ years?

I spent three years on AD from 1989-1992, and when I thought the Army was trying to hold me in one spot, a spot I was not crazy about, I decided to opt out and transition to NG status close to my hometown. I was a weekend warrior and worked an 8 hour job in a carpet factory in NW Georgia. The toxicity of the working environment and the complete lack of self discipline did not sit well with me. So I decided to come back to AD in 1999. It was then I decided that I was going to make the best of it and do my best to advance. I am glad now that I stuck with it. I have learned so much in my career, and if I had it to do over again, I would most likely stay AD the entire time. Not to say I didn't learn some valuable lessons while in the NG, I just feel as though I fit in better in the AD.

I was overseas and nearing my ETS and didn't want to ETS from overseas so I looked at reenlisting again and realized that was going to put me over 10 years. I was really enjoying my job and what I was doing so it made the decision to stay in that much easier.

After doing my first enlistment, I said what the heck might as well go for it, did 24 yrs with the MIARNG.

Around my 9 year mark, I got follow on orders for Germany after Korea, that sealed the deal for me. Prior to that, I had thought seriously at punching out at around 8 years, I was down on the military, my bosses, etc. I went to Korea for a second non-vol tour with orders to Germany in my hands and that was it. Glad I accepted that tour to Korea!

After my first 6 years I knew that I'd either get out or reenlist and stay in. For me there is no 12 years and get out. That first reenlistment was the decision. As soon as I signed the reenlistment I put in my packet and continued to progress my career.

Great question.... Hmm at what point..... I don't think there was a decision point to "stay to 20"
There was a decision to reenlist every few years, that set of reasons was the same each time.
Do I like what I'm doing?
Am I good at it?
Can I do it better than others, and can I improve to do it as good as others I've met?
Am I likely to be allowed to do the job the way i think it needs to be done, if I stay?
Those questions led me to stay 28 years, and led me to saying goodbye as well.

MAJ (Join to see) I was there at about 8-9 years. I was fed up with everything ready to get out at my EAOS (Expiration of Active Obligated Service), but I had a few great mentors and friends that really broke it down for me. This was their advice to me:

1) Never let one individual overshadow your entire career. Those individuals will come and go but your career is yours.
2) Pick your battles. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose...regardless of whether we have policy on our side. Unless it puts the lives of our people or the mission in jeopardy, sometimes peace is better than being right.
3) You cannot always choose your situation but you can always choose your attitude.
4) This life is not for everyone and that is okay. We all have a certain amount of time in us to do this job; for some it may be longer and others it may be shorter. But when we are really honest with ourselves, that is when you will know.

After this contract is up I will have another six years until retirement. If it wasn't for great mentors and friends, I would have given up and never come to my current command. Now I love my job and love coming to work everyday. Can't beat that!

After 10 years... You are over halfway there... Might as well finish....