How many veterans were asked, by someone outside of your COC, why you are getting out of the military?

SGT Bryce Mahoney — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 12:15:37 -0500

A solid transition plan starts with actually knowing why you are leaving service. Bad leadership? Burnt out? Need a Change? Money? What we don't realize is that our problems don't just go away because we leave service, and most people see the grass greener on the other side. The truth is, bad leaders exist in the civilian world too. How can we better mentor our veterans?

Response by SFC George Smith made Jan 12 at 2017 12:25 PM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 12:25:28 -0500

Many of the Younger generation no longer feel the need to continue... and have grown up enough or matured enough to see life beyond the military...
In My HOR there were little or no Jobs and many were being laid of... so i stayed... and Am glad i did...
the Kids now are doing well with the advancements in Education Benefits and Job availabilities...

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 12 at 2017 12:25 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 12:25:34 -0500

It's a very good idea to be prepared to respond to this question. Almost everyone applying for a job is asked why they left/are leaving their previous position. I think it is one of four basic questions in every job interview

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 12 at 2017 12:33 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 12:33:19 -0500

SGT Bryce Mahoney:
I was discharged from Fort Lewis's Madigan Army Medical Center.
At Madigan Army Medical Center: I received help from a Captain; who suggested I play basketball-by myself-in the courtyard.
Other than that: I received no counseling or training; with regards to my transitioning into civilian life.
I suggest that the Army provide: mental/stress/emotional health counseling and on-the-job-training for transitioning into civilian life.
I furthermore suggest that: the Army provide spiritual counseling and physical therapy; for those Soldiers who need them.
Maybe I have left out the needs of some Soldiers; and the resolutions for their disabilities.
Please forgive me if this is so, Sergeant.
With My Godly Best Intentions in Mind-
Margaret C Higgins US Army (Ret)

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 12 at 2017 1:20 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:20:11 -0500

I am still asked 10 years later why I got out with 9 years. I had several reasons for getting out. part of it was a bad command climate. Part of it was being burned out from the OPTEMPO. Most importantly, I got to a point where I dreaded going to work. I wasn't enjoying it anymore. So I got out. The grass is definitely greener on the civilian side for me. However, it is not rainbows and unicorns. I worked long and hard to achieve what I have. I think vets need a more realistic presentation of the civilian world prior to getting out. I had several NCOs ask me if I was going to flip burgers. Funny a few years later, those same NCOs were asking me how I got my Federal job and how they could do it lol.

Response by SSG Jonathan Everett made Jan 12 at 2017 1:36 PM

SSG Jonathan Everett — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:36:26 -0500

I served for almost 10 years and ETS'D with a solid plan and currently working it out now. I had many senior leaders and close friends talk to me about separation. I left for the right reasons and I believe that most job related issues leading a service member to want to separate is a very important topic for leaders to think about. All too often ypu see younger soldiers expressing to peers or one above about the frustration with the "job" and inclination to ETS the next chance they get. These are important service members to speak to. Try and understand at what professional level of maturity are they on. Do these soldiers have prior civilian life experience living on their own? Do they understand the job market in the area they wish to leave to? How about real no baloney job related experience? Telling a younger soldier he will be ok because he learned an mos and sending him or her on their way is poor leadership. Let's insure that our service members are leaving for the right reason and financially/mentally prepared to do so.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jan 12 at 2017 2:09 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 14:09:01 -0500

I have been asked by many people why I left. I think that after some personal struggles that the Army wouldn't help me through, I lost my desire to serve. Then I realized that I am still relatively young and wanted more from life than a career of military service. I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to the pursuit of knowledge. I really wouldn't blame the leadership. With a few exceptions, I had great leaders. I loved my subordinates too, but I just wanted something different.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2017 3:18 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 15:18:51 -0500

My First Sergeant plainly told me that I couldn't get a job outside the AF and said I would be homeless in 30 days. I got out because I couldn't picture myself staying in. As a 24 yo, I looked at all my leadership and thought I would become a crusty, bitter divorcee like them. It wasn't until I matured a bit, that I realized they let that happen. Fortunately, with hard work and a little luck, my civilian career has been great. However, after several years passed, I realized that I missed the AF so I joined Guard. Now people wonder why I stay in the Guard because it is a burden at times. I really can't explain why I stay in the Guard. Deep down, I like the deployments, TDYs and drill weekends. Although, if I had stayed in, I could be retired by now :)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2017 6:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 18:31:48 -0500

I served 31+ years my time was up, I no longer enjoyed my 1 weekend a month 2 weeks a year plan, my existing CO was useless and had way too many command issues as well as personnel issues, as I did too, cut bait or fish, I decided to fish, been happier ever since

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2017 7:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 19:06:11 -0500

I left the military because my family meant more to me then being in uniform plain and simple. My advice to anybody thinking about staying in or out is to follow your heart, discuss your options with your family and come up with a plan. I was about 2 years out of my ETS date when I made up my mind that I was done. I took leave to go to job fairs I attended federal resume classes and did a lot of networking all in preparation for a smooth transition. 2 weeks into terminal leave I had already started my job I make way more money as a civilian and I love it. As most of you probably already know there will be leaders in your chain of command that will tell you to stay in because there are no jobs that is not true. Challenge yourself to do a theral research of all options before you make any decisions. A lot of leaders envy the ones leaving service because they don't have the guts to roll the dice and make that brave jump out of the military . The military is not meant for everybody to serve 20 plus years some will never understand that. Best of luck to all service members going through that process!

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jan 13 at 2017 11:46 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:46:06 -0500

I got out because the ARMY was changing and changing fast I was already SFC and passed over two times. I did not agree with new leadership and the new ARMY style it was wrong and I was not ready for my 5 combat tour, there were more options on the table for me and today I glad I picked the high road and got out. I will never walk in the footsteps of a soldiers again and I hope that my daughter doesn't want to follow in my path. Soldiers asked me why I did not stick it out for the long haul and I just laugh after reading all the crap that has been going on in the news and from friends, Hell, can't beat, with my combat tours and deployments I gained 10 years on the civilian side and I have just few more years until I have another retirement completed.

STEPHENS

Response by PO3 Steven Guess made Jan 13 at 2017 6:37 PM

PO3 Steven Guess — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 18:37:59 -0500

I got out because in the early 70s pc , civil rights were running rampant and the SeaBees weren't what they had been . They were gutting the retirement benefits and the the re-up Senior Chief said if he was starting over , he wouldn't .

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 11:39 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 23:39:15 -0500

When I was a 1SG and a Battalion CSM, I always had some time scheduled for every Soldier who was getting short about a year prior to their ETS. I never asked them why they were getting out or anything to put them on the defensive, I just asked them if they'd done their planning for beyond their ETS. I would remind them of all the Army resources for transitioning, some of the Veteran Service Organizations had some programs, too, as did the VA. At the time, there weren't any civilian programs helping Soldiers, although there were a few Veteran recruiting programs in the Defense industry. I'd talk to them about Veterans Preference in the Civil Service.

But I'd tell them the most important thing was they had to work at planning their future just like it was another job! They had to get organized, make a plan for how they were going to attack their planning, then attack it. They needed to list they resources they were going to use and step through them, use their networks and create new ones, research their field, look at educational opportunities, look at places to live, cost of living, sources of funding, and all those things. I just wanted them to see all the sorts of things they needed to think about and start thinking about them, and start planning for them all. Hopefully it would help them make their decision more wisely, and help them plan their future more capably.

They were always most surprised that I didn't give them the whole reenlistment speech. I told them I knew other people were giving them that speech. I only cared about their future being well-lived. They would make up their own mind about reenlistment when they had all the information they needed, and they already knew what their Army experiences were up to this point. I think they always appreciated that. I had many Soldiers who got out who thanked me for the advice I gave them; I had many who decided to stay in after they did their research and found out life wasn't that green on the other side of the fence. Either way, they did their research and made their own decisions wisely, which is what it was all about.