How to Decide to Leave Or Stay In The Military (Part 2 of 2)

LTC Chad Storlie — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 06:25:27 -0500

Stay or Go? There is probably no greater decision for a military member regardless of their military service, military occupation, or status in the Active military, Guard or Reserve than deciding to leave the military. This is an emotional decision and you need to do your best to separate, for a time, the emotion from the practical decision making components of deciding to remain in the service or depart. Last week I covered the first three factors to assist in making this decision.

Here are three additional factors to help you determine if you should stay in the service or depart.

1.What is the Degree and Education Level Required to Enter Where I Would Consider Working?

Comparing education levels can be a tricky business when looking to enter a new company, industry, and occupation. For a lot of companies, where you get your degree and in what major field of study can be the central factors for hiring even if you meet the basic degree requirements. For example, if you want to live and work in the technology companies surrounding Austin, TX, then you may be better off pursuing a part-time degree from a local Austin, TX university versus trying to complete a degree at a local college in Maryland where you are stationed. Location is a critical factor for real estate but location is just as much a factor for deciding the choice of an educational institution. Finally, the strength of an alumni network in hiring is one of the major values of the degree when you complete it. Local educational institutions have much higher value in their network strength for employment.

2.What Am I Interested In and Where Would I Want to Live?

Are there occupations, industries, and companies outside of the military that interest you? Can you see yourself working somewhere else and away from the military? Seeing yourself outside of the military is a critical step in transition because if you cannot see yourself and imagine your success in a new field, then you are not ready to leave. Another question to ask is do you know anyone doing what you want to do in the civilian world? If not, that’s ok because networking up to a year or more out from transition is common. You also need to think of four to six occupations and industries at a minimum that you are interested in. For example, if I want to work in the Energy sector but employment is down due to global factors, then I need a backup plan. Where to live is another issue, because usually where we grew up may or may not offer the economic and social opportunity needed.

3.What Does Your Family & Close Friends Think?

Leaving the Military is hard and your family and friends should help you weigh in on the decision. If you think the military has too hard a schedule, then it is worth your time to talk to people in the Energy industry, Technology sales, or Consulting industry. It could be that the military schedule is not as bad as some civilian occupations. Does your spouse support the sacrifices of your military career? Do your kids understand why you have to be gone? All of these are factors to making a decision to stay or go. I know lots of military veterans that are away from their families MORE in their civilian jobs than when they were in the military. Getting a full range of views on the decision to stay or remain in the military is critical to making a good choice for you and your family.

Once you make a decision to stay or go, then sit on it for three months. If after three months, you still feel good about it, then you have made the correct decision. The decision to stay or leave the military is a very difficult decision. By understanding your family’s life stage, the true value of your military compensation, the precise education requirements for a new career, your opinion of your military career progression, looking at the potential of new occupations, and understanding what your friends and family think of your choice, then you can make an informed decision to stay or leave the service. If you decide to leave, the first step is creating a robust, comprehensive, resourced, and detailed military-to-civilian transition plan.

Content Originally Posted At USAA Member Community - Going Civilian Blog By Chad Storlie

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 9 at 2016 6:31 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 06:31:27 -0500

It's up to the person that is wondering. I stayed in for 24 yrs. and did not regret a thing. If you have a lot of friends that you are serving with you might miss all the great times ahead.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Feb 9 at 2016 7:40 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 07:40:20 -0500

LTC Chad Storlie Sir, IMO it is the SMs choice when to go, that is unless they meet RCP or are getting the boot for something else. For me, I knew it was time after my 13th surgery and I was unable to lead from the front like leaders should do. I could have stuck around for a few more years, marking time and collecting a paycheck, but that is not what my view of a leader should be doing. I deployed five times. Each time I was promoted in the senior enlisted ranks I was fortunate, in my mind anyway, to deploy at that rank and do what the Army promoted me for. After the last one as a Battalion OPs SGM, I was given a breathe at your own pace and distance profile and MEBed. DA, to my surprise actually ruled that I was able to stay on active duty but I knew it was my time to go. Having a P2 since I was a SFC, I was told I would be able to make MSG, without becoming a 1SG, and not to expect anything higher. Well, I proved everyone wrong and made it to Sergeant Major (secondary zone) without compromising the way I worked or my leadership style. So I pretty much made it as far as I could go and I did it my way.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Feb 9 at 2016 7:41 AM

SSG Leo Bell — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 07:41:37 -0500

I have to say it's up to the person who is making that choice for there self.
I would think it would be a good idea to look around for where you want to live first. If your buying a house you can't just get tired of the area and leave.
You have to think about your family and the schools your children will be attending, you only want the best education for them and a accredit school.
You really want to think of your health when you get out. Allot of us get out and stop working out and gain some weight. Our BP sometimes go up you don't need a job that will give you a bunch of stress.
You have to research the company you go to work for. You don't want to get out of the service and start for a company that will close down for any reason or you will lose you job after being there ten or fifteen years.
I know it's hard to get away from crime these days but you also want your family and yourself to be safe.
There is allot to think about so think hard and research where you want to go, what you want to do, where you want to live.

Response by COL David Turk made Feb 9 at 2016 7:58 AM

COL David Turk — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 07:58:55 -0500

Then there's the option of sorta staying and sorta going. Get off active duty and join the reserves. And no, I'm not a recruiter.
I resigned my regular army commission, and concentrated on my new civilian job, but also joined the reserves (picked up reserve commission). At that time, it left the door open, for one year, to apply to return to active duty if wanted to return. I did not return then, but did so (full time) after about 20 years (started with extended active reserve tours, then active duty).
It's not for everyone, but it kept my options open.

Response by SGM Earl Richburg made Feb 9 at 2016 10:19 AM

SGM Earl Richburg — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:19:46 -0500

Take my advice stay as long as you can if it does not hinder someone else's promotions and you can contribute your knowledge.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 9 at 2016 5:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:22:39 -0500

Use a decision matrix if you know what it is.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 1 at 2016 1:20 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:20:48 -0500

Remember a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Unless you are independently wealthy you need to have a job before getting out, or be able to live on your savings for an extended period of time. Maybe if your spouse is gainfully employed and can support you while you make the rounds. This is doubly so esp if you have obligations such as family, home, credit card payments, mortgage, car payments, etc.... Best wishes though in any event.

Response by SFC Edward Nicholson made Mar 3 at 2016 1:27 PM

SFC Edward Nicholson — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:27:31 -0500

It was hard for me to leave. The first thought was "Am I still bringing Value to the organization?" The next question was "After 26 years what am I holding on to?". I dont think anyone is really prepared to leave something that was a major part of your life. The key thing is to be as prepared as you can before you do decide to leave. Get that degree, start going to career fairs and post resumes. I worked harder to find a career when I decided to leave. Day and night online looking for jobs and going to every careere fair with in a 2 hour drive to find the career for me!