How many of you would rejoin if given the chance?

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 02:02:07 -0400

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 16 at 2016 2:10 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 02:10:02 -0400

In a heartbeat!

Response by SN Kevin Neff made Aug 16 at 2016 2:39 AM

SN Kevin Neff — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 02:39:38 -0400

Shoooooot...I'm trying to!

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Aug 16 at 2016 5:07 AM

Capt Michael Greene — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 05:07:36 -0400

My colonel continued to work in the office for two weeks after he retired. Said he was avoiding his wife.

I would take a major pay cut to serve again--but only in the right specialty. Intel gathering, especially airborne, especially launching off of carriers, is KICK ASS!

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Aug 16 at 2016 6:09 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 06:09:42 -0400

Happily retired....plus I really like my permanent "no-shave" chit..

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 16 at 2016 6:26 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 06:26:23 -0400

At the drop of a hat.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Aug 16 at 2016 6:42 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 06:42:00 -0400

Only as an officer in a specific career field.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Aug 16 at 2016 6:46 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 06:46:48 -0400

My time has come and gone. I don't understand the new Military and really would not fit in anymore.
Besides I hate shaving.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Aug 16 at 2016 8:29 AM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 08:29:42 -0400

In a heartbeat.........

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 16 at 2016 8:58 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 08:58:27 -0400

I would rejoin in a Heartbeat! I am, however, sixty-five years old; and 100% s/c disabled.
I would just love to protect and defend my Brothers and Sisters; who are currently deployed- some of them dying for me and our country.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 9:02 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:02:25 -0400

At 73, I don't think so. But, I surely would have back then.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 9:04 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:04:33 -0400

Habits can be hard to break. When I was a kid we lived on an acreage and had some hogs. Had them for several years. Finally the day came ant the hogs were butchered. The next day my step dad took food to the hog pen before he realized that there were no hogs there to feed.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 16 at 2016 9:15 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:15:28 -0400

I'd like too, however reality is that I got out because I was broken and I damn sure aint got no less broken.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 16 at 2016 9:31 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:31:12 -0400

ENS Private RallyPoint Member I would gladly serve again now. I wish I could go back and just BITCH SLAP the shit out of my enlisted self, and because of that I live with regret every day. So yeah if I could have a chance to go back, serve, and leave the service with no regrets, I would take it. I would like to change my rating though. Air Crew, flying on helicopters, Master at Arms, or flying on the P-8 Poseidon would be choices. Even if they said we will let you go back to sea, but only in your same rate, I would take it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 9:35 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:35:36 -0400

Hi, PO2 Martin.

I started in the Guard in 1992, went to AD, then was medically retired with a service-connected disability in 2002. When we moved back to Alabama in 2011, I reached out to my old unit and asked the commander if I could volunteer with the sole intent of finishing my twenty year commitment. I don't get paid, none of the time since 2011 counts towards my retirement, and the only person counting to 20 is me.

The watch never ends. I would go back today if I could.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 16 at 2016 9:40 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:40:44 -0400

The scariest words I ever heard: "Men retire, men die". They're scary because they're true. Our lives are defined by what we're doing. Ask a woman what she is and she'll likely answer, "Mother", "Wife", etc. Ask a man and he'll respond with his occupation. So let retirement be your entree to a new career. I made my writing. It was a lifelong dream interrupted by the responsibilities of family. To a businessman, time is money. To an artist, money is time. Although not flush with riches, my retirement income is sufficient to fund my craft.

Response by PV2 Steven Mitchell made Aug 16 at 2016 9:49 AM

PV2 Steven Mitchell — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:49:06 -0400

In a heartbeat but never happen i'm to old now and i've had a stroke.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 10:45 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 10:45:55 -0400

Once I retire, and if offered the chance to re-join, there would be no way possible as my wife would slap the living hell out of me.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 16 at 2016 11:25 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:25:44 -0400

Without a second thought. Biggest regret of my life is not doing 20.

Response by MSgt Mark Barber made Aug 16 at 2016 11:32 AM

MSgt Mark Barber — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:32:06 -0400

In a heartbeat!

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Aug 16 at 2016 11:39 AM

GySgt Carl Rumbolo — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:39:30 -0400

I think it this cartoon says it all - it's pretty sad to see retired officers and senior NCO's who can't let go and move on.

Response by CPO Floyd Massey made Aug 16 at 2016 11:51 AM

CPO Floyd Massey — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:51:54 -0400

I really miss the travel and comradery. But I am also really enjoying my new career in IT.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 16 at 2016 12:13 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:13:35 -0400

I would not. I promised myself once I took off the uniform, I would never put it back on.

Response by MSgt Bill Milligan made Aug 16 at 2016 12:31 PM

MSgt Bill Milligan — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:31:15 -0400

No I don't think so, I had a good career and have a lot of memories. What I witnessed at the last open house air show at the base I retired from convinced me I made the right choice to retire and join private industry.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 16 at 2016 1:04 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:04:04 -0400

50/50 - A year ago, I would have said definitely, but working with Marines now as a private contractor I'm seeing things I don't know if I'd have the patience to put up with. There are days where if I was still wearing rank, I'd probably be losing it. I'd rather keep my Honorable Discharge and my bloodstripe.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 1:18 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:18:20 -0400

I retired 14 years ago, and I still regret it!!!

Response by MAJ John Brown made Aug 16 at 2016 3:06 PM

MAJ John Brown — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:06:37 -0400

I've went back as a civilian contractor and loved it. My wife is not in favor of my getting back on active duty, and now I'm getting too old so I guess it's a moot question for me

Response by LT Louis McKellar made Aug 16 at 2016 3:14 PM

LT Louis McKellar — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:14:29 -0400

I retired in 1994. While it's fun to muse over rejoining, it was a good decision to retire. I do not regret my military career, and since I'm approaching 62, will opt for retiring permanently next year.

Somehow, I don't think I could do the PRT as readily as I used to!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 16 at 2016 4:28 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:28:58 -0400

In a Heartbeat but my Rating no longer even exists. I'm ancient history.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 16 at 2016 5:02 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:02:34 -0400

Just to make sure I didn't come back the Arkansas CGN-41 set sail to Glacier Bay in Alaska for it's twilight cruise after ringing me ashore. Now she is Soda Cans and I'm Older than Dirt!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 17 at 2016 12:10 AM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 00:10:21 -0400

At 55, no... at 19, yes.

Response by SGT James Allen made Aug 17 at 2016 5:05 AM

SGT James Allen — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 05:05:52 -0400

If given the chance I would love it. But only under my terms. LOL. Getting up early would be considered passing the PT test. Go back to old school style Basic Training and toughen some of these kids up.

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Aug 17 at 2016 2:58 PM

GySgt Carl Rumbolo — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 14:58:52 -0400

So...going back to my original post, most folks who reminiscence and wish they had stayed in left before they wanted to, or left and found that the civilian world wasn't quite what they expected, or in some cases, are just wanting to relive the 'good old days'

Well the 'good old days' aren't always good, and our memories tend to blur the 'bad stuff' into a warm and fuzzy picture.... we forget the long mid-watch duty, the long deployments, the stupid 'zero-dark' thirty rifle range trip, forced marches in freezing rain, etc.

I can honestly say I retired exactly on plan, and never looked back. Certainly proud of my service and I am just as likely to reminisce about one or another adventure - but miss it no...would I go back, only if they recalled me for some national emergency (and that almost happened in 2002) but I also recognize I am 57 and not in the shape I was at 37 when I retired.

One of the things I continue to tell folks thinking about getting out at EAS or retiring - have a plan, know what you want to do, and how you are going to meet your goals - and have a backup plan, and a backup to your backup. Make sure you have done everything you wanted to do.... because sometimes when that door closes, you can't reopen it again.

Response by CPO Lenny Orth made Aug 31 at 2016 2:40 AM

CPO Lenny Orth — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 02:40:55 -0400

I'm proud of my service but hell no!